Kolhapur : Shri Mahalaxmi Temple has started losing its glory

Chaitra Shukla Paksha Ekadashi, Kaliyug Varsh 5117

Where are the kings like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj building and conserving temples and where are the present rulers incapable of even conserving temples !

This kind of situation will never arise in Hindu nation as all the temples will be conserved and strengthened then.

• The raised area around the banyan tree getting a crack due to iron staircase on it
• Stone pavement weakening due to moss

It has been noticed that the temple of Shri Mahalaxmi in Kolhapur is losing its glory. Reasons behind this is that, shrubs are growing in the crevices in the stone building, iron staircase fixed in the raised stone parapet around the banyan tree, some of the entrances of the small temples are oil painted. In order to conserve this temple as an archaeological monument, some measures will have to be taken to see that not a single stone slab will get displaced.

1. The temple has a very strong Hemadpanthi style of architecture, yet it has been hollowed from inside. The sculptural images are becoming faint.

2. Some portion of the elephant carved on the arch and the pillar is damaged. In the inside portion of the entrance towards the East, an iron staircase is being put up on the parapet around the banyan tree and a crevice is formed in the parapet due to that.

3. The eastern gate has become the main gate of Ambabai temple. There is a raised platform on the left side of this gate on which an iron staircase is being put up there permanently. Therefore that stone railing has been damaged. During the Navaratri festival 300 to 400 devotees stand on this staircase at a time. Therefore that stone railing might weaken in future.

4. There is a stone arch in the temple; but now shrubs are growing in between gaps in the arch. If these shrubs keep on growing like this then the arch also might get brittle.

5. When the stone parapet known as ‘Ramacha Par’ in Ambabai temple crumbled down, and it was told by the Devasthan managing committee that since the temple being a heritage building, Archaelogical Department was in charge of its restoration and it can be restored only acquiring their permission. In a letter sent to the Devasthan managing committee by the Chhatrapti Shahu Charitable Trust stating that, since that ‘Par’ is being in the custody of Chhatrapti Shahu Charitable trust, that will be restored by them.

6. Water arrangement is being made for providing water to devotees; but due to no proper drainage system, the stone pavement has become weak due to moss gathering there.

(O Hindus, you only take the lead to change this pathetic condition of the temple. – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat