Shakti Peeth Temple, Maharashtra, India
In Maharashtra There are a Total of Three and a half Shakti Peeth temples are located among all 51 Shakti Peetha's.
Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur:
The Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur is one of the 51 sacred Shaktipeeth temples in India. After the self-immolation of Mahadev's wife Sati, when Mahadev was carrying her body around the earth, Lord Vishnu cut Sati's body into 52 pieces with Sudarshan Chakra to stop Mahadev. Mahalakshmi Shaktipeeth temple was built here after some body parts of Goddess Sati fell in Kolhapur.
Mahalakshmi Temple Kolhapur is also famous as Ambabai Temple. Mahalakshmi Devi of Kolhapur is also worshiped as the Kuldaiwat of many families. People believe that the Mahalakshmi Devi of Kolhapur temple was first built by Lord Karna around 700 AD. The Mahalakshmi temple construction looks like Chalukya Empire. The 45 kg idol of Mahalakshmi Devi is made of sandstone. On her head is a beautiful jewel crown is worn. The height of the idol is 2 feet 9 inches.
Kironotsav festival at Kolhapur Devi Temple is very famous. Kironotsava days are celebrated with great enthusiasm here. Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Devi Temple is divided into four parts 1) Rang Mandap 2) Kurma Mandap 3) Ganapati Chowk 4) Garuda Mandap.
Kolhapur Devi Temple opens every morning at 4 Am and the First Aarti is conducted at 5 Am. Kakad Aarti is the first major aarti of the Goddess. Navratri, Lalita Panchami, Ashtami, and Navami are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi Temple area.
Tuljapur Tuljabhavani Devi :
Tuljapur Tuljabhavani Devi Temple is also the one full Shakti Peeth temple of Maharashtra located in the Tuljapur city of Usmanabad. This is the second Shakti Peeth temple among all 51 shakti peeth. Tuljapur was also known as Chinchpur. Goddess Tuljabhavani of Tuljapur is known by the name Sati, Turaj, Kukalan, Durga, Parvati, Bhagwati, Amba, and Jagdamba. The temple of Tuljapur has a 3 feet tall idol of Tuljabhavani and the goddess has 8 hands. Tuljabhavai means life-giver
The Tuljapur Tuljabhavani Devi Temple was built in the 12th century by Mahamandaleshwar Mahadev of the Kadamb family and today the temple is maintained by the Palekar Bhope family. Tuljabhawani Devi was the family deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, so it is written in history that Shivaji Maharaj visited here many times.
The main gate of Tuljabhavani Devi is named Nimbalkar. And the other two doors are named after Shivaji Maharaj's father Shahaji Raje and mother Jijabai. Gomukh Tirtha and Kallol Tirtha here are considered very holy places. In the temple, aarti is performed to the goddess every day, every day the goddess is anointed and beautified and offerings are made for the goddess. Kojagiri Poornima, Dashami, Sharadiya Navratri, Shakambhari Navratri, Ashwini Poornima, and Chaitra Poornima are major festivals celebrated here. At this time, thousands of devotees visit to worship Tuljabhavani on this auspicious day.
Renuka Mata Temple Mahur :
This is a full Shakti Peeth temple of Maharashtra. Renuka Mata temple is located at Mahurgad in the city of Nanded, Maharashtra.
Vani Saptashrungi Devi :
Vani Saptashrungi Devi is a half-Shakti Peeth temple in Maharashtra. This temple is located in Nashik City. This temple has seven peaks around it which is why the goddess is called Saptashrungi. Vani Saptashrungi Devi is the mother of seven peaks because seven peaks around her. This is a self-manifested Idol of Saptashrungi Devi craved in rock 4600 feet height. Saptashrungi devi has eighteen hands and she holds 18 weapons in her 18 hands to kill the demon Mahishasura. Vani Saptashungi Devi is also known as a Mahishasurmardini. The Vani Saptashrungi Devi temple build at 4600 feet in height in the Sahyadri mountain range. 500 steps are constructed for the devotees to reach the temple. A Rope Way facility is also started for a devotee's convenience. The idol of Vani Saptashrungi Devi is 8 feet (2.44 m) tall. Navratri and Chaitrautsav are the biggest festivals of Vani.