Mounted on a stone platform, the
murti of the crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The
Shri Yantra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. A stone lion (the
vahana of the goddess), stands behind the statue. The crown contains a five headed snake. Furthermore, she holds a Matulinga fruit, mace, shield and a pānapātra (drinking bowl). In Lakshmi Sahasranama of Skanda Purana, Goddess
Lakshmi is praised as "Om Karaveera Nivasiniye Namaha" means "Glory to the Goddess who lives in Karaveera" and as "Om Sesha Vasuki Samsevyaa Namaha" means "Glory to Goddess who is served by
Adi Sesha and
Vasuki". They are the 119th and 698th names of Lakshmi in Lakshmi Sahasranama. This is also the description mentioned in the Rahasya of
Devi Mahatmya. Professor Prabhakar Malshe says, "The name of Karaveera is still locally used to denote the city of Kolhapur". It is considered one of the three and a half Shaktipeetha's in the
Shakta tradition. == History ==