The Shikhara is painted in pale lemon yellow with saffron outlines. On the steps leading to the mandir, I saw a huge Varaha image holding the Bhudevi in its mouth. ![]() It is difficult to identify or count them as it is covered by many things at the moment. The literature points out that there were probably 64 yoginis carved on the niches all around. If you understand Indian temple architecture, you can make out a lot of Madanika or Sur Sundari figures. Most of the sculpted images on the walls are broken. You get a hint of Chalukyan architecture. When you enter, you see the base of the big structure in dark grey stone. We reached just in time for the morning ritual of waking up the goddess. This time we landed in the city around 4 AM and headed straight to the temple. It was a quick darshan but with a promise to come back. ![]() I first visited the temple on my Deccan Odyssey trip. The whole town revolves around the holy place. It is at the heart of Kolhapur just like Kanchi Kamakshi is at the heart of Kanchipuram. ![]() The number of Shakti Peethas varies depending on which text you are looking at, but the Mahalakshmi of this city is always a part of that list. The temple is a Shakti Peeth, one of the most important Devi temples in India. It was his dying wish that the city is named after him. Kolhapur is named after Asura Kolhasur who was killed by the Devi.
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