कोल्हापुर का महालक्ष्मी मंदिर 2 हजार साल पुराना है, जिनमें धार्मिक और पौराणिक कथाओं का इतिहास है।

वैसे तो हमारे देश में देवी लक्ष्मी के कई मंदिर हैं, लेकिन कोल्हापुर में स्थित महालक्ष्मी मंदिर उनमें से बहुत खास है।

मुंबई से लगभग 400 किमी. कोल्हापुर महाराष्ट्र का एक जिला है, जहां धन की देवी लक्ष्मी का एक सुंदर मंदिर है। यहां देवी लक्ष्मी को अम्बा के नाम से पुकारा जाता है। इतिहासकारों के अनुसार, कोंकण के राजाओं, चालुक्य राजाओं, शिवाजी और यहां तक कि उनकी मां जीजाबाई द्वारा कोल्हापुर के महालक्ष्मी मंदिर में प्रसाद चढ़ाया गया है। कुछ साल पहले जब इस मंदिर का खजाना खोला गया तो सोने, चांदी और हीरे के ऐसे आभूषण सामने आए, जिनकी कीमत बाजार में अरबों रुपये है। इस खजाने में बड़ी-बड़ी सोने की गदा, सोने के सिक्के का हार, सोने की चेन, चांदी की तलवार, महालक्ष्मी का स्वर्ण मुकुट, श्री यंत्र का हार, सोने की चिड़िया, सोने के घुंघरू, हीरे की कई माला आदि मिले थे।



मंदिर का इतिहास कोल्हापुर का इतिहास धर्म से जुड़ा हुआ है और इसी वजह से यह स्थान धर्म की दृष्टि से बहुत महत्वपूर्ण माना जाता है। मंदिर के बाहर के शिलालेख से पता चलता है कि यह 2 हजार साल पुराना है। इसे शालिवाहन घराने के राजा कर्णदेव ने बनवाया था, जिसके बाद धीरे-धीरे मंदिर परिसर में 30-35 और मंदिर बनाए गए। 27 हजार वर्ग फुट में फैला यह मंदिर 51 शक्तिपीठों में से एक है। आदि शंकराचार्य ने महालक्ष्मी की मूर्ति का अभिषेक किया था।


भारतीय कला का उदाहरण काले पत्थरों पर की गई अद्भुत नक्काशी हजारों साल पुरानी भारतीय वास्तुकला का अद्भुत उदाहरण है। महालक्ष्मी मंदिर के मुख्य गर्भगृह में हैं, उनके दाएं और बाएं दो अलग-अलग गर्भगृहों में महाकाली और महासरस्वती के देवता हैं। पश्चिम महाराष्ट्र देवस्थान प्रबंधन समिति के प्रबंधक धनाजी जाधव नौ पीढ़ियों से यहां की देखभाल कर रहे हैं। वे बताते हैं कि यह देवी के 51 शक्तिपीठों में से एक है। दिवाली की रात 2 बजे मंदिर के शीर्ष पर एक दीपक जलाया जाता है, जो नियमित रूप से अगली पूर्णिमा तक जलाया जाता है।

ऐसी है देवी की मूर्ति यहां दो फुट नौ इंच ऊंची महालक्ष्मी की मूर्ति स्थापित है। मूर्ति में महालक्ष्मी की 4 भुजाएं हैं। इनमें महालक्ष्मी धातुवार, गदा, ढाल आदि शस्त्र हैं। सिर पर शिवलिंग, पीछे सर्प और सिंह है। चार साल पहले औरंगाबाद के पुरातत्व विभाग ने मूर्ति पर एक रासायनिक प्रक्रिया की है ताकि घर्षण से कोई नुकसान न हो। इससे पहले यह रासायनिक लेप 1955 में भी लगाया गया था। महालक्ष्मी की पालकी सोने की है। इसमें 26 किलो सोना है। प्रत्येक नवरात्रि के उत्सव काल में कोल्हापुर शहर में माता जी की बारात निकाली जाती है।


तारापीठ की शिलामयी मां केवल श्रृंगार के समय सुबह और शाम के समय ही दिखाई देती हैं।

तारापीठ की शिलामयी शक्ति की देवी काली के हर रूप का महत्व अलग है, तारा का अर्थ है आँख और पीठ का अर्थ है स्थान।

Kshatriya Dharma in Modern Times

Historically, Kshatriya Dharma, rooted in ancient Hindu traditions, primarily refers to the ethical and moral duties of the Kshatriya (warrior) class. In the traditional sense, Kshatriyas were charged with protecting society, enforcing justice, and ensuring law and order were maintained. Nonetheless, there has been a shift in how this class interprets and enacts Kshatriya Dharma in modern times. This change is most notable in the age of Kali Yuga where it is characterized by moral decline and societal challenges.

In this regard we will look at the adaptation of Kshatriya Dharma for today’s world; its relevance beyond battlefields; its role in social welfare; the contributions of warrior women; and the unceasing imprint of this code.

Kshatriya Dharma during Kali Yuga: Adapting Warrior Code to Modern TimesKali Yuga is believed to be a time when societal values are low according to Hindu cosmology. During such times strife prevails, dishonesty reigns supreme and righteousness erodes. For instance, adapting Kshatriya Dharma involves re-looking into traditional warrior values to address current issues.

A Study of Important Ideas in Islamic Tradition

Allah: For Muslims, Allah is God. They trust in His unity and singularity. This notion of Allah is ke­y in Muslim belief, being the­maker and keepe­r of all. They honor Allah with prayers and devout de­eds. The Quran, Islams holy scripture, spe­aks of Allah often. It talks about His nature, His wisdom, and how He re­lates with people. Muslims aim to follow Allahs instructions, as share­d in the Quran and shown by Prophet Muhammads actions and words.In Arabic, Allah means God—its the­ main god worshipped in Islam.Muslims hold that Allah made and maintains all things and that Hes the­ only deity.Islam holds a belie­f called Tawhid, which means Allah is one. Muslims say Allah is far be­yond us but also all-powerful and kind. They show love to Allah with praye­rs, pleas, and devotion acts.The Quran is Islams sacre­d book. It has many passages about Allah. These passage­s talk about how Allah is, His wisdom, and how He interacts with people­.Muslims work hard to follow Allahs words. These words are in the­ Quran. The Prophet Muhammad showed the­ way by living and teaching these words.

Crusades: The Crusades we­re religious wars. They took place­ in the Middle Ages. The­y were started by Christian pe­ople of Europe. Their goal was to take­ back Jerusalem, a holy city, from the Muslims. The­ Crusades changed a lot of things. There­ was more political influence from Europe­ in the Middle East. Trade ne­tworks increased too. But, religious issue­s between Christians and Muslims also incre­ased. Even today, how people­ see the Crusade­s can affect how Christians and Muslims interact with each othe­r.The Crusades were­ like military missions. The Latin Church approved the­se missions back in the old times. The­ir goal, much like the other Crusade­s, was to take back Jerusalem and othe­r holy places in the Levant from Muslims.The Crusade­s had big effects. They change­d politics, religion, and culture. They cause­d Europe to have more powe­r in the Middle East, trade to grow, and made­ Christians and Muslims more hostile towards each othe­r.The Crusades still affect how Christians and Muslims se­e each other today.The­ Crusades were wars. Europe­an Christians started them in medie­val times. They wanted to re­take the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslims.The Crusades really change­d the Muslim world. They led to fights, de­aths, and Muslim empires like the­ Abbasid and Seljuk losing land. 

Examining the Bright Pattern of Hindu Holidays and Festivities

Hinduism, the most venerated religion in the world, is known for its proliferous rituals and celebrations which For example the multitude of features, sacrality and vivacious character of the followers.From the colorful festivities of Holi to the inspiring joy of Diwali, each festival holds profound importance and offers a glimpse into the deeply rooted traditions and beliefs of Hindu culture. Hindu festivals are diverse and multidimensional, bringing different facets of their stories, traditions and religious values to light. At this lecture, youll get to know them by name.

Diwali - The Festival of Lights:Diwali - The Festival of Lights:Diwali, also known as Deepavali, stands as one of the most celebrated festivals in Hinduism, expressing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Usually the festival lasts for five days, and every each day is very meaningful for the community as it is along with by a different set of rituals, traditions and Legends.From the lighting of earthen lamps (diyas) to the bursting of firecrackers, Diwali is a time of joyous celebration and religious renewal, marked by prayers, feasting, and the exchange of gifts. As essential elements standing behind Diwali, are Goddess Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha removing the obstacles that paves a way to blessings and wealth within the home.Holi - The Festival of Colors:Holi - The Festival of Colors:Holi, often referred to as the "festival of colors," is a joyous occasion celebrated with fervor and dedication across India. The festival is the celebration of the Spring as well as the celebrating of the lovely things in the life. It is a period of a show of happiness and good will.The highlight of Holi is the playful throwing of colored powders and water balloons, expressing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of a new season of growth and renewal. With glory complemented by the cheering festival, Holi holds a high religious importance, which is measured by the Legends of Hindu puranas that revolve around the burning of Holika and the divine love of Radha and Krishna.

Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, Verse 28

"Avyaktādīni bhūtāni vyaktamadhyāni bhārata
Avyakta-nidhanānyeva tatra kā paridevanā"

Translation in English:

"All created beings are unmanifest in their beginning, manifest in their interim state, and unmanifest again when they are annihilated. So what need is there for lamentation?"

Meaning in Hindi:

"सभी प्राणी अपने प्रारंभिक अवस्था में अदृश्य होते हैं, मध्य अवस्था में व्यक्त होते हैं और उन्हें नष्ट होने पर फिर से अदृश्य हो जाते हैं। तो शोक करने की क्या आवश्यकता है?"

Is Buddhism a religion or philosophy?

Buddhism can be considered both a religion and a philosophy, depending on how you define these terms.

From a religious perspective, Buddhism involves worshiping Buddha and other enlightened beings, performing rituals, and observing moral precepts. Buddhists also believe in the existence of the realm of rebirth, the cycle of rebirth (reincarnation) and the attainment of enlightenment (nirvana) as the ultimate goal of their spiritual practice.