Navaratri Series — Day 5— Kolhapur Ambabai
Kolhapur means city of ‘Kolha’ or foxes. Perhaps, the name suggests that this area was/is surrounded by forest with foxes. And the Goddess who resides in Kolhapur is known as Kolhasurmardini — Shri Ambabai. The story goes that Brahma’s sons Gaya, Lavanasur and Kolhasur did penance and obtained powers. Gaya and Lavana were defeated by the devas. However, Kolhasur remained hidden and was spared. He came to city on deccan plateau — Karveer — the city of Goddess. There he appointed his 4 sons in 4 directions to guard the city from devas coming in meanwhile Kolhasur performed penance. The Goddess pleased with his penance asked him to take a boon. Kolhasur asked boon that Goddess will leave Karveer city for 100 years, and no one will attack him for those 100 years inside or outside of city.
The Goddess left the city and went to Himalayas. Here in Karveer, Kolhasur and his sons started a monstrous reign. The torturous governance and loot were increasing day by day. Neither humans nor animals were happy. Finally, 100 years passed and Goddess awakened. She sat on a mighty lion, carried lethal weapons holding in her 18 hands. As the Goddess arrived at threshold of city, she was welcomed by Karveer residents. A fierce battle followed and finally Goddess beheaded Kolhasur. Before dying, Kolhasur requested that the city of his death should be named by his name and it should become a Teertha. Goddess agreed and declared Karveer will be called as Kolhapur, and it will be known as Dakshin Kashi.
Kolhapur’s Ambabai temple is considered at least 1800-year-old. The present-day temple is removed during the Maratha empire, especially by Shivaji Maharaj’s son — Sambhaji Maharaj. Ambabai was a patron Goddess of the later Maratha rulers, and the modern day renowned Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. Kolhapur, like Kashi is home to many deities and gods around like Jyotiba, Dattatreya, Charpatamba, Ujwalamba etc. The Vaishnavites believe that Mahalakshmi after quarrelling with Vishnu came to Kolhapur and stayed here. Hence, every Dussehra, special gifts are sent from the Tirupati Venkateshwara Balaji to Kolhapur Mahalakshmi. And many believe that their pilgrimage to Tirupati is incomplete without visiting Kolhapur. Whereas the Shaivaites believe that Ambabai is female form of Shiva who came to Kolhapur to create Kashi in south.
Every year during Navaratri, a grand procession is taken out for the Goddess when men women, Jogathis or transgender priests, Devdasis, Pothraj, the descendants of Maratha kings take part in it. Also, every year an annual Kirnotsava happens when sun rays directly fall on the face, body and feet of the Goddess.
Day 5 of Navaratri — Kolhapur Ambabai shrine located in the Deccan of the Indian sub-continent.
