Kotitirth

To the east of the city near the shau Mill (Shau Chatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mill), there is a big tank or lake with a temple of Mahadeva. This is a picturesque spot in Kolhapur. On the city side, there is an earthen bund. There are some babul trees on this side. The temple of Mahadeva is slightly inside the lake with a small strip of land joining it to the bund. The temple is small and simple and has no ornate carvings or decorations. The image of Ganapati carved on the lintel of the temple. There is a small mandap of recent construction before the temple. Inside the temple, there is a Pindi or ling of Mahadev. On the southern side, there is a sort of mangrove and a building. One Narayandas Maharaj, who came here in 1894 and built this rest house like building with country-tiled roof, constructed this building. Narayandas Maharaj toots samadhi, in 1933. The samadhi is in a small chamber below the main room of this building. In front of this building, there is a small ghat going upto the edge of the water. The samadhi has become a place of worship.

There are different stories about how the place came to called Kotitirth. According to one the daityas defeated the deva’s (Gods). The deva’s implored Mahalaxmi to help them and she attacked the deva’s. However, when she saw their plight she took pity on them and refused to kill them. But the daityas did not like this and they told her that those who seek mercy go to hell while those who die on the battle field go to heaven and that she should kill all of them and give the place the name of Kotitirth as they were one crore in strength. According to another story Kotitirth is the tirth or holy tank established by Puskaresvar at Karveer. As king Bhanu took bath here and washed away his one crore sins the tirth was called Kotitirth.

The water of Kotitirth not used for drinking. It used for bathing and washing. A few people swim in the tank especially near the temple of Narayandas Maharaj.