Kirnotsav (Festival of light) at Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur

Kirnotsav is a prominent festival celebrated in the famous Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra. This festival is held on the days when the sun’s rays fall directly on the idol of Goddess Mahalakshmi, the main deity of the temple. This celestial event takes place on the days between January 31st to February 2nd and again from November 9th to 11th. A large number of devotees arrive at the temple to witness this spectacular event.

Apart from the special rituals held to mark the event, concerts featuring some of the finest artists in the field of music are organized.

The event of the kirnotsav occurs as shown in this picture and thousands of devotees witness this nature's salute to Mahalakshmi.

Here are some pictures captured at last kirnotsav 2011.

Mahalaxmi Temple, Kolhapur

 Navratri or the festival of Nine Nights start from Ashvin - shu - 1 ( Ghatas-tha-pana - 28 september 2011) to 9 , is devoted to the propitiation of Shakti or Divine Mother. It is one of the most celebrated festivals of Hindu calendar. Goddess represents prakriti, responsible for creation of the world according to the religious ideology of goddess worship.