Durga Ashtami in Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple

Durga Ashtami is a grand festival at Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple. In 2025, Durga Ashtami date is September 30.

At 8.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. Abhishek is performed on the deity along with the other usual rituals followed by Alankar Puja. The silver representation of the Goddess is placed in the Garud Mandap from 7.00 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

At 9.45 p.m. the Goddess then receives one canon salute. The silver representation is placed on a throne and is taken around the town in procession from Mahadwar road, Gujri-Bhausinghji road, Bhavani Mandap (where the goddess is honoured with betel leaves and betel nut by distinguished people.

The Goddess is also offered Oti (comprising golden bordered blouse piece, coconut, bangles, sweets and token money), Gurumaharajwada, Shri Binkhanbi Ganesh (where Lord Ganesh is worshipped) and back to the Mahadwar Road and to the temple. Again an Aarti is done followed by sacrificial fire Puja that continues till wee hours of next morning. It ends with the Purnahuti (culmination Puja).

Navratri in Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple is a grand and deeply significant celebration in Maharashtra, particularly in the city of Kolhapur, where the Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the holiest and most revered shrines dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi. The temple is renowned for its association with the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, Mahalakshmi, and Navratri is one of the most important times of the year for worshippers visiting the temple. Here’s an overview of how Navratri is celebrated in the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple:

1. Temple Background:

The Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur is an ancient temple, believed to be over 1,000 years old, dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi in her incarnation as the protector of wealth and prosperity. It is a Shakti Peetha, one of the 51 sacred sites in India that are connected with the worship of the Goddess.

2. Importance of Navratri:

Navratri is a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the nine forms of Goddess Durga (Navadurga). In Kolhapur, Navratri holds a special significance as it is a time when thousands of devotees from across Maharashtra and India gather to seek blessings from Goddess Mahalakshmi. The festival usually falls during the months of September-October.

3. Celebrations at the Mahalakshmi Temple:

During Navratri, the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple sees a surge of devotees, and the festivities are marked by:

• Special Puja and Aarti:
  Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of the Goddess, and special pujas and aartis are performed throughout the day. Devotees participate in the worship by offering flowers, fruits, sweets, and reciting mantras.
• Rituals and Traditions:
  Mahalakshmi Pujan is conducted with great devotion. The temple is beautifully adorned with flowers, lights, and decorations. Special rituals are conducted in honor of the Goddess to invoke her blessings for prosperity, health, and success in life.
• Kumari Puja:
  Like in other parts of India, a special Kumari Puja is performed where young girls, considered embodiments of the Goddess, are worshipped on the Ashtami day of Navratri. They are offered gifts and meals as a mark of respect and reverence to the feminine divine.
• Rath Yatra:
  A special Rath Yatra or chariot procession is held in Kolhapur during Navratri, where the idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi is taken around the temple in a decorated chariot. This is a highly anticipated event, drawing crowds from all parts of Maharashtra.

4. Cultural Programs:

In Kolhapur, Navratri is also a cultural extravaganza. Various Garba and Dandiya dance performances are held in and around the temple, particularly in the evenings, when families and devotees gather to celebrate the festival through dance, music, and devotional songs. These folk dances are symbolic of the victory of good over evil and the divine protection of Goddess Durga.

5. Mahalakshmi’s Blessings:

Devotees believe that worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi during Navratri, especially in the Kolhapur temple, brings blessings of wealth, happiness, and prosperity into their lives. The temple is considered a powerful site for fulfilling material and spiritual wishes, and many devotees observe fasts, recite Shlokas, and participate in bhajans to seek the Goddess’s blessings.

6. Bhandara and Prasadam:

During Navratri, the temple organizes Bhandara (community meals) for devotees. The meals are simple but delicious and are offered to thousands of pilgrims who visit the temple. Devotees also receive prasadam (holy offerings) from the temple, typically made of sweets and fruits, as a token of the Goddess’s blessings.

7. Importance of Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple in Navratri:

The Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the Shakti Peethas, and the Navratri celebrations here are considered among the most spiritually enriching in Maharashtra. It is believed that worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi during Navratri leads to prosperity, health, and peace in one’s life.

8. Local Devotional Practices:

Devotees from Kolhapur and surrounding regions often keep fasts or follow a special diet during the nine days of Navratri. The atmosphere in Kolhapur is charged with spiritual energy, and the town becomes a focal point for all things related to Goddess Mahalakshmi during this period.