Shri Ambabai Temple of Kolhapur 

On the banks of Panchganga river located in the city of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, this renowned temple is  dedicated to the goddess of wealth i.e Goddess Mahalaxmi. The idol of the goddess Mahalaxmi placed in the sanctum of the temple is made of black gemstone. Also her favorite ShriYantra is carved in one of the walls of the temple. Her vahana i.e a stone lion is at the back of the statue and her crown has the image of Sheshnag.  What makes the idol distinctive is that the idolof the goddess is facing west, a direction from where the light of the sun pays homage to the goddess Ambabai. The festival of sun rays i.e. Kiranotsav (kiran=sun rays, utsav = festival) is celebrated in the temple when sun rays directly fall on the Goddess. Such an astounding event happens on the occasion of  Rath Saptami when on 31^st January and 9^th November- sun rays directly pay homage to the goddess by falling on the feet of the deity. Secondly on 1^st February and 10^th November when sun rays fall directly on the chest of the idol in order to pay her homage and lastly on 2^nd February and 11^th November when sun rays fall directly on the entire idol to pay her homage.. Isn’t this a wonderful fact! Also, another important event to witness here is that on the fifth day of Lalit Panchami, a palkhi procession is done from the Mahalaxmi temple to Temblai temple. The worship services are offered by the devotees each day throughout the year from 4:30am to 10:00pm.