Mahalakshmi Chalisa (Kolhapur)
महालक्ष्मी चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Mahalakshmi of Kolhapur (Karavira) — distinct from the household Lakshmi-Chalisa. She is one of the three-and-a-half Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra, where the eyes of Sati are said to have fallen. Locally called Ambabai, she is the kuladevi (family deity) of millions in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Her temple is celebrated for Kiranotsav — when the setting sun's rays pass through three doorways to illuminate her face exactly twice each year.
Significance
While the common Lakshmi-Chalisa addresses Vishnu's consort as the giver of wealth, the Mahalakshmi Chalisa of Kolhapur addresses her as the supreme primordial Adi Shakti — combining Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Mahakali in a single fierce-yet-benevolent form. Recited as kuladevi-smarana before family weddings, house construction, and major business launches across the Deccan.
When recited: Navaratri (especially Sharad), Fridays, Mahalaya Amavasya, Ratha Saptami, Kiranotsav (3-day sun-ray festival in January and November)
Benefits
- Kuladevi blessings for Maharashtrian and Kannadiga families
- Unification of the threefold Shakti (wealth, knowledge, courage) in a single sitting
- Removal of family curses and ancestral kuladosha
- Successful completion of pilgrimage to one of the 3.5 Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra
- Powerful remedy for sudden financial collapse and business failure
- Auspicious commencement of new gold purchases, construction, and weddings
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Mahalakshmi Chalisa (Kolhapur) — the most-recited opening section.
जय जय अंबाबाई कोल्हापुर वासिनी। महालक्ष्मी आदि शक्ति प्रकाशिनी॥
करवीर क्षेत्र में तुम विराजे। सती के नयन यहाँ गिर साजे॥
त्रिगुण रूपिणी त्रिशक्ति धारी। लक्ष्मी सरस्वती काली सारी॥
सिंहासन पर तुम विराजती। चतुर्भुजा शस्त्र सम्भालती॥
कोटि सूर्य सम तेज तुम्हारा। किरणोत्सव में दर्शन प्यारा॥
महाराष्ट्र की कुलदेवी माता। कन्नड़ देश की भी विधाता॥
Meaning
Victory, victory to Ambabai, dweller of Kolhapur, Mahalakshmi who manifests the primordial Adi Shakti. You repose in the Karavira kshetra, where the eyes of Sati fell to consecrate this site. Embodied in the three gunas, bearing the threefold Shakti — you are Lakshmi, Saraswati, and Kali all together. You are enthroned upon the lion-seat, four-armed, wielding sacred weapons. Your radiance equals ten million suns; your darshan during the Kiranotsav festival is supremely beloved. Kuladevi-Mother of Maharashtra, also the foundational goddess of the Kannada land — devotees who recite this chalisa as kuladevi-smarana before family ceremonies invoke the unified threefold Shakti that distinguishes the Karavira Mahalakshmi from the household Lakshmi, granting wealth, wisdom, and warrior-courage in a single divine descent.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: