Once there was a fight between Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi in the Vaikuntha. When a sage named Bhrigumuni kicks Lord Vishnu on his chest, and Lord Vishnu, of course, being the supreme and the eternal controller of all does not retaliate or curse the sage on his wicked gesture but in turn greets him with great hospitality and ensures that his foot is not aching as he had kicked him real hard.
Vishnu then tells Bhrigu that his chest is strong but his foot might not be very strong and hence starts pressing his foot to provide comfort to the sage.Goddess Lakshmi witnessing all of this, unable to bear the insult to her husband, grows extremely furious as Vishnu’s chest is where she resides. In spite of the muni disrespecting her, Lord Vishnu puts up a kind, gentle decorum which was disliked by Lakshmi who then decides to leave Vaikhunta and come down to earth. The place where she came down to earth from Vaikhunta is the very Kolhapur, where she lived and decided to stay forever to bless all her countless devotees who visit her then, now and forever.
Goddess Lakshmi being an extremely knowledgable and wife of the supreme did not, just like that, come to this particular town but in fact with a purpose for sure, as Gods and Goddesses do not do anything without the purpose of welfare to devotees or people on earth.
A story emerges in the Puranas that there lived a fox-like demon. The word ‘Kolha’ translates to Fox in English. ‘Pur’ translated to a city or town. According to the story, there was this place where a river flowed. Once, there came a demon named ‘Kolhasur’. This demon was sucking away the water of this river. And thus people there were deprived of water. So, they prayed to Goddess Parvati to solve their miseries. So she came in the form of Mahalakshmi and killed this demon. Before dying, he begged her to forgive him and she did. But his last wish before dying was to name the place he lived after him. Thus the city retains its name ‘Kolhapur’ from ‘Kolha’ or the demon ‘Kolhasur’.
Kolhapur was previously known as Karvir or Karveer, hence the taluk in which Kolhapur City is situated is named Karveer. It is said that both Lakshmi and Vishnu reside in the Karveer area eternally and shall not leave even at the time of Mahapralayakala(where the whole world is supposed to drown in water). Karveer region is eternally blessed and is believed to be held by Mother Jagadamba in her right hand, and hence the region is protected from all destruction.Lord Vishnu himself adores this region more than Vaikuntha since it is the home of his consort Lakshmi.
The greatness of this region has, therefore, attracted many sages and devotees, the blessings and affections showered by this region on its devotees are immeasurable. It is believed that Prabhu Shri Dattatreya still comes here every noon to seek alms.Having a glimpse of the deity of the temple, Goddess Mahalakshmi ‘s beautiful idol will leave you not taking your eyes off it! yes, just a glimpse because the immense crowd there would not let you watch your heartful. The idol is considered to be at least 5000 to 6000 years old. Mounted on a stone platform, the idol of the crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The ‘Shri Yantra’ is carved on one of the walls in the temple. A stone lion (the vahana of the goddess), stands behind the statue.
The crown contains an image of the Sheshnag the serpent of Vishnu.In her four hands, the deity of Mahalakshmi holds objects of symbolic value. The lower right-hand holds a Mhatulinga (a citrus fruit), in the upper right is a large Mace or Gadha called the Kaumodaki – with its head facing the ground, in the upper left hand is a Shield or Khetaka and in the lower left, a bowl called the Panpatra. Unlike most Hindu sacred idols, which face north or east, the deity faces West. There is a small open window on the western wall, through which the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days every year.
The temple belongs architecturally to the Chalukya empire and was first built in the 7th century.The temple is referred to in multiple Puranas. There is evidence to show that the Konkan king Kamadeo, Chalukyas, Shilahara, Yadavas of Devagiri dynasties visited this city. Adi Shankaracharya also visited. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj ruled this area and they also visited the temple regularly.Yadav king Tolum built Mahadwar, and offered jewels to Devi. Shilahara being a Jain monk built the Maha Sarasvati Mandir and got 64 Hindu idols carved. Yadav king Tolum built Mahadwar, and offered jewels to Devi. King Gandavadix extended the temple by building the Mahakali Mandir.
This way the temple has seen enormous contributions of great men who were even greater devotees.In 109 CE, Karnadeo cut off the jungle and brought the temple to light. The existence goes back to the 8th century, according to Bhandarkar and Khare.[who?] Itihāsa Chakra indicates that the temple dates back to Mahājanapadā times. In the 8th century, the temple sank down due to an earthquake. In the 9th century, Gandavadix (King) extended the temple by building Mahakali Mandir. During 1178–1209, in the reign of Raja Jaysing & Sindhava, South gate & Atibaleshwar Temple were built. In 1218, Yadav king Tolum built Mahadwar and offered jewels to Devi. Further, Shilaharas built Maha Sarasvati Mandir. He being a Jain, got 64 idols carved.
It is possible that a new idol called Padmavati was installed at that time.Historian Paul Dundas in his book The Jains[5] mentions that Mahalaxmi temple Kolhapur was a Jain temple. Sheshashayee Vishnu which is an octagonal structure closer to the eastern gate has a panel of 60 Jain Tirthankaras carvings. Jains worshipped the idol in the temple as Padmalaya or the abode of Padma or Padmavati, an epithet of Goddess Lakshmi.
Further, in Chalukya times, Ganapati before the temple was installed. In the 13th century, Shankaracharya built Nagar Khana & Office, Deepmalas.Later during the time of Maratha Empire, the temple was repaired. Though many invasions over this part of India have caused some damages of the beautiful idols which are all around the temple.During Mughal reign, the worshippers had hidden the idol for protection. During(Chhatrapati Sambhaji II's Reign, Narhar Bhat Shastree had a dream by goddess Mahalakshmi informing him of her location, which he told to Chhatrapati.[citation needed]. Believing Sangavakar's dream, Chhatrapati Sambhaji started a search.
This idol was found in a house in Kapila Teertha Market in the city. According to Chhatrapati Sambhaji's letter dated 8 November 1723, Sindhoji Hindurao Ghorpade of Panhala installed the idol again on 26 September 1712 (Monday, Ashwin Vijaya Dashami). The number of devotees grew, and in due course of time, the Devi became the Deity of Maharashtra. The deity began to denude due to Abhishekas. So the then Shankaracharya of Sankeshwar got it repaired. After Vajralep & sacrifices, it was again installed by Shahajee Raje of Kolhapur in 1954. There are 5 main temples and 7 Deepamalas now. Around are 35 temples of various sizes and 20 shops. There are 5 Hemad-style tops and a Garud Mandap. Sheshashayee Vishnu which is an octagonal structure closer to the eastern gate has a panel of 60 Jain Tirthankaras carvings.