Goddess Lakshmi Murti (idol) worshiped at the Kolhapur
Mahalakshmi Temple is centuries old. The murti is carved in black stone and is
embellished with gold. She wears numerous types of gold ornaments.
The murti worshiped in the temple is maintained by the
theological department.
The murti is 3.5 feet in height.
The murti was given a special coating – Vajralep in August
2015. Before this, the special coating
was done in 1955. The special coating is required as the ancient murti is
getting damaged due to the Panchamrit abhishek performed daily. Due to this now,
the abhishek ritual is performed only once a day.
Some devotees thought that applying special coating on the
murti was against the custom of the temple. They had filed a petition in the
court. It was decided in favor of those supporting special coating. Thus it was
performed after several years in August 2015.
The shrine remains closed when the murti is taken out for
special coating.
Apart from this the rays of setting sun falls directly on the murti on specific days in a year.
Apart from this the rays of setting sun falls directly on the murti on specific days in a year.