Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Gadhinglaj, Gadhinglaj, Kolhapur

Beyond their architectural style and sculptural beauty, the temples of Maharashtra are also renowned for their folk festivals and traditions. Documents highlighting the historical significance of a temple are as important as the legends that preserve the memories of social customs and traditions, which are considered a vital part of societal history. One such ancient Mahalakshmi temple, which possesses a unique legend and celebrates it through a dramatic reenactment, is located in the city of Gadhinglaj in Kolhapur district. Devotees believe that the Mahalakshmi Devi of Gadhinglaj is a living deity who grants the wishes of those who pray to her.

The legend of this temple states that when Satwai Devi’s daughter reached her youth, she became curious about her future husband. Satwai prophesied to her daughter, “Your future husband will be a cobbler.” Displeased by this, the daughter, Mahalakshmi, left home. On her way, she fell in love with a handsome young man, and they were married. Some days later, they had a son named Ingaloba. When Ingaloba grew old enough to play, he insisted on accompanying his father to his workplace. The father took him to the workshop on the condition that he would not tell his mother what work he did.

While returning, the child, in his innocent nature, put a piece of leather he liked into his pocket. Upon reaching home, Mahalakshmi found the leather in her son’s pocket. Seeing it, she realized her husband was a cobbler. Feeling betrayed that her husband had hidden this from her, she flew into a rage, grabbed a sword, and began chasing him to kill him. Fearing for his life, her husband entered the body of a buffalo through its hindquarters. Mahalakshmi then severed the buffalo’s head and struck down her husband as he emerged from the buffalo’s broken neck. During this frantic chase, Ingaloba, who was running behind them, tried to calm his mother down. Eventually, Mahalakshmi calmed down. Such is the legend. The tradition of presenting this narrative in a dramatic form during the Mahalakshmi Devi festival has been maintained here for hundreds of years.

According to this legend, the Mahalakshmi here is a folk deity. In religious scriptures, Satwai is considered a minor folk deity. According to folk legends, she is the daughter of Sage Matanga. Her name has been elevated to ‘Shashti’. According to W. J. Wilkins’ 1913 book ‘Hindu Mythology – Vedic and Puranic’, Shashti is the goddess who grants sons to married women. She is the helper during childbirth and the protector of children. The cat is the vehicle of Satwai. This is why no Hindu married woman harms a cat. The Mahalakshmi of Gadhinglaj is considered the daughter of this Satwai. However, the memory of Mahalakshmi’s form as Mahishasuramardini remains in this legend through the form of the buffalo she killed.

The Mahalakshmi temple is located in the very heart of Gadhinglaj city. There is a perimeter wall around the temple, with two entrances leading into the courtyard. The structure of the temple consists of a Mukhamandapa (front hall), Sabhamandapa (assembly hall), Antarala (vestibule), and Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum). The Mukhamandapa has four ornate hexagonal pillars. The circular bases of the pillars feature lotus flower motifs, and the capitals are adorned with lotus carvings. The pillars support a beam and bracket system, which holds the roof. The roof has a sloping eave and a parapet wall featuring miniature temple replicas. The parapet has niches on three sides containing statues of various deities.

Ascending two steps leads to the Sabhamandapa. The Sabhamandapa has four rows of seven square wooden pillars each. The pillars support beams, and upon the wooden framework above the beams lies a tiled roof divided into upper and lower sections. The divided structure of the roof allows for air circulation, keeping the Sabhamandapa cool. The outer pillars of the Sabhamandapa are embedded in the walls, and in accordance with Konkani architectural style, the floor between the pillars is a few inches lower. Beyond this lie the Antarala and the Garbhagriha. However, devotees must take darshan of Mahalakshmi from the Sabhamandapa itself. The silver-plated door frame of the Garbhagriha is carved with floral motifs, and the lintel features an image of Lord Ganesha. On the pedestal in the Garbhagriha stands the eight-armed idol of Mother Mahalakshmi. In her hands, the Devi holds a trident, sword, shield, spear, and other weapons, while one hand holds a demon’s head. She is adorned with a crown, fine garments, and jewelry. The silver halo behind the idol features a Kirtimukha in the center surrounded by floral carvings. The ceiling of the Garbhagriha also has an ornate dome.

The exterior of the Garbhagriha roof features brackets and a sloping eave. The roof is surrounded by a parapet, with square pillars at the four corners topped with kalashas. Sculptures of deities are carved on all four sides of the pillars. The roof features a five-tiered octagonal shikhara. The first tier has a ring of floral motifs, the next three tiers each have eight niches containing statues of various deities, and the fifth tier features an amalaka with vertical ribbing, topped with a kalasha.

Once every fifteen years, a three-day festival is celebrated. During this time, the narrative of the legend is presented in a dramatic form. After the festival date is announced, four to five months prior, the festival idol of Mahalakshmi Devi is taken from the Patil Wada to the Sutar Wada, the Devi’s maternal home. There, the idol is repaired and repainted, and the Devi is treated with the respect accorded to a daughter visiting her maternal home. Enraged that her husband deceived her, the Devi runs from the Sutar Wada and arrives at the Kumbhar Wada. Here, the Devi stops outside the Wada. Her son, Ingaloba, is taken into the Wada and dressed in a ‘kunchi’ and ‘angarkha’. A ritual to calm the Devi is performed by the cobbler community, who carry torches. The Devi’s procession continues throughout the night. After the buffalo sacrifice at dawn, the Devi is installed in the temple. During this festival, which occurs every 15 years, lakhs of devotees from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Goa come for the Devi’s darshan.

Additionally, festivals such as Chaitra Padwa, Sharadiya Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, and others are organized at the temple. During these times, the Devi is taken in a palanquin procession around the village. During all festivals, the surrounding area is decorated with various shops, taking on the appearance of a marketplace. Various religious programs are organized in the temple during these festivals.

Sacred History & Spiritual Significance

This sacred temple stands as a testament to deep spiritual devotion, ancient architectural grandeur, and rich local cultural traditions.

Temple Sanctum & Architecture

The sanctum sanctorum houses the divine idol consecrated according to ancient Vedic traditions, surrounded by serene courtyards and traditional temple architecture.

Sacred Darshan Gallery