Paschim Maharashtra Devasthan Vyavasthapan Samiti (Devasthan Management Committee, Western Maharashtra)
Statutory board · Kolhapur, Maharashtra
The Samiti was formed in 1969 to manage former princely-state temples in western Maharashtra. These temples are vested in the state government and declared public trusts. Its best-known shrines are the Karveer Niwasini Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple in Kolhapur and the Jyotiba temple at Wadi Ratnagiri. It also runs a number of smaller Kolhapur city temples. A 2018 state Act provides for a separate committee for the Ambabai temple. As of February 2019 that Act had not come into force, and we could not confirm whether it has since.
How it is run
A government-appointed committee. Its members are state government appointees, and the Kolhapur District Collector serves as its administrator. A Secretary runs the office.
Tips for pilgrims
- Jyotiba temple entry runs 7 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 7 pm. The Chaitra Purnima yatra (March–April) draws huge crowds.
- An e-pass darshan link is on the official Jyotiba temple site, shreejyotiba.com.
- Kolhapur's Mahalaxmi temple and Jyotiba hill (about 17.5 km away) are usually visited together.
Temples it runs
- Shree Karveer Niwasini Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) Temple – Mahadwar Road, Kolhapur
- Shri Ambabai Temple, Shahupuri – Shahupuri, Kolhapur
- Shri Binkhambi Ganesh Temple – B Ward, Mahadwar Road, Kolhapur
- Shri Dattabhikshaling Temple – Near Ravivar Peth, Kolhapur
- Shri Jyotiba Temple – Wadi Ratnagiri, Panhala taluka, Kolhapur district
- Shri Panchmukhi Maruti Temple – Bagal Chowk, Kolhapur
- Shri Siddhivinayak Temple – Near Uma Talkies, Kolhapur