Mahalakshmi (Kolhapur) Shakti Peetha
మహాలక్ష్మి - కొల్హాపూర్
Devi Mahalakshmi (Karveer Nivasini) · Kolhapur, Maharashtra
Mahalakshmi (Kolhapur) Shakti Peetha is one of the sacred sites where parts of Sati Devi's body fell when Lord Vishnu cut them with the Sudarshana Chakra. Body part: Eyes (per some), one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Considered the manifest seat of Mahalakshmi herself (not just a body part). One of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Famous for Kiranotsavam (sun-rays festival) — direct sun rays touch the deity on Jan 31, Feb 1, Nov 9, Nov 10 each year.
About the Shakti Peethas
When Sati Devi self-immolated at her father Daksha's yajna (in response to his insult of Shiva), Shiva carried her corpse in inconsolable grief, performing the cosmic Rudra Tandava that threatened to destroy the universe. Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces, which fell at 51 (per Devi Bhagavatam) or 108 (per other traditions) locations across India and surrounding regions. Each location became a Shakti Peetha — sacred Devi shrine. The 18 most important are called the Maha Shakti Peethas.