Kolhapur always means the Mahalakshmi Temple where your wishes are fulfilled. Situated on the banks of the Panchganga River, Kolhapur is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. Kolhapur is famous all over the country largely on account of its 9th century Mahalakshmi Temple which is said to have been built by king Karnadev of the Chalukya dynasty in 634 AD.According to the Puranas, the Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur is considered as one of the 108 Shakti Peethas. Associated with Shakti, the goddess of power, the Mahalakshmi temple also has a special significance as it is one of the six places where one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The Temple of Shri Mahalakshmi: Though the Shri Mahalakshmi Temple was built by the Chalukya ruler, Karandev, it was the Shilahara Yadava who extended and beautified it. The entry to the temple is through the western entrance or Mahadwara wherein one comes across several deepamaala and a beautiful Garuda Mandap with square pillars and foliated arches of wood. A raised platform which houses a Ganesh idol faces the sanctum sanctorum where the idol of Mahalakshmi is flanked on the either side by those of Mahakali and Mahasaraswati. Shri Mahalakshmi is the consort of Shri Vishnu and it is said that they both reside in the Karveer area.

The Idol of Shri Mahalakshmi: The idol of the Goddess Mahalakshmi is of great significance. It weighs 40 kg and is made up of precious stones that are said to be over 5000 years old! The goddess is represented with four arms each holding a matulinga (a citrus fruit), a large mace (kaumodaki) with its head touching the ground, a shield (khetaka) and a bowl (panpatra). A cobra hood crowns the Goddess' head while a stone lion, said to be the vehicle of the goddess, stands behind the statue. An interesting feature of the Mahalakshmi idol is that unlike most of the other images which face north or east, this idol faces west.

An interesting feature to note at the temple of Mahalakshmi is its design. The temple has been designed in such a way that the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days around the 21st of each March and September through a small open window on the western wall. On these days special pujas are organized to commemorate the event.

The Jyotiba's Temple: The Jyotiba Temple is said to be built in 1730 by Navajisaya Jyotiba and is located 17 km from Kolhapur. Jyotiba is supposed to be an incarnation of three gods -- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and the seer Jamadagni.

Narasimha Wadi: Situated on the confluence of the rivers Krishna and Panchaganga, Narasimha Wadi is well known for the holy padukas or slippers of Dattaguru (an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh). It is located 45 km from Kolhapu