Amit Shah, CM Fadnavis launch Ambabai Temple Pradakshina Marg in Kolhapur
Synopsis
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and CM Devendra Fadnavis on 20 June 2026 launched construction of a new Pradakshina Marg and conservation of the Parivar Devta Mandir at Kolhapur's historic Ambabai Temple, unveiling a stone plaque to mark the start of the Devasthan Management Committee's development plan.
Key Takeaways
Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the foundation stone and commenced works at Kolhapur's Ambabai Temple on 20 June 2026 .
The project covers a new Pradakshina Marg (circumambulatory path) and conservation of the Parivar Devta Mandir (family deity shrine).
The works fall under the Karveer Niwasini Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Development Plan overseen by the Devasthan Management Committee .
CM Devendra Fadnavis , Deputy CM Eknath Shinde , multiple state ministers, MP Dhananjay Mahadik , and Kolhapur Mayor Ruparani Nikam were present.
The project aims to improve pilgrim movement and preserve heritage structures at one of western Maharashtra's most visited religious sites.
The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra announced on Saturday, 20 June 2026 that Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally commenced works for the new Pradakshina Marg and the conservation of the Parivar Devta Mandir under the Karveer Niwasini Shree Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) Temple Development Plan in Kolhapur, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presiding over the ceremony. A stone plaque was unveiled at the event, marking the official launch of the Devasthan Management Committee's redevelopment initiative at 11 am.
Context
The Karveer Niwasini Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, popularly known as the Ambabai Temple, is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in western Maharashtra, drawing lakhs of devotees annually. The Devasthan Management Committee has drawn up a dedicated Temple Development Plan that includes the construction of a new circumambulatory path — the Pradakshina Marg — and the conservation of subsidiary family deity shrines, known as Parivar Devta Mandir. The stone plaque unveiled by Amit Shah formally signals the beginning of on-ground construction work.
Policy Backdrop
Maharashtra governments have periodically invested in heritage conservation and pilgrimage infrastructure at major religious sites, combining visitor circulation improvements with the restoration of ancillary shrines. Kolhapur sits at the heart of western Maharashtra's pilgrimage circuit, and targeted development of its temple precinct aligns with a broader pattern of state-centre collaboration on religious tourism infrastructure. Projects of this nature typically involve phased funding releases tied to conservation milestones set by the managing body.
Stakeholders and Impact
The new Pradakshina Marg is expected to ease the movement of pilgrims during peak festival periods, reducing congestion around the main sanctum. Devotees, Kolhapur residents, and heritage conservation bodies are the primary stakeholders, with local traders and hospitality businesses likely to benefit from improved visitor flow. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Ministers Chandrakant Patil, Prakash Abitkar, Ashish Shelar, Sanjay Sawkare, and Makrand Jadhav-Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, MP Dhananjay Mahadik, MLA Ravindra Chavan, and Kolhapur Mayor Ruparani Nikam attended the ceremony, signalling broad political consensus around the project.
What's Next
Attention will now shift to the phased rollout of the full Temple Development Plan, including funding releases and construction milestones set by the Devasthan Management Committee. Any linked announcements from the state's tourism or heritage budget will be closely watched by conservation experts and local stakeholders. The scale and pace of the Parivar Devta Mandir conservation works will serve as an early indicator of the project's execution capacity.
Point of View
A city with significant cultural weight in western Maharashtra, is a symbolically important venue for such an event. The project also reflects a continuing national pattern of state-centre co-investment in pilgrimage infrastructure, framing religious tourism as a development priority. The broad ministerial turnout signals that the Mahayuti alliance is keen to project unity and governance momentum on culturally resonant issues.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ambabai Temple Pradakshina Marg project in Kolhapur?
The Pradakshina Marg is a new circumambulatory path being built around the Karveer Niwasini Shree Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) Temple in Kolhapur as part of the Devasthan Management Committee's Temple Development Plan, aimed at easing pilgrim movement around the main sanctum.
Who inaugurated the Ambabai Temple development works on 20 June 2026?
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah formally commenced the works and unveiled the stone plaque, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presiding over the ceremony in Kolhapur.
What is the Parivar Devta Mandir conservation project at Ambabai Temple?
The Parivar Devta Mandir conservation project involves the restoration and upkeep of the subsidiary family deity shrines located within the Ambabai Temple complex in Kolhapur, forming part of the broader Temple Development Plan.
Who is the Devasthan Management Committee overseeing the Kolhapur temple project?
The Devasthan Management Committee is the body responsible for managing and implementing the Karveer Niwasini Shree Mahalaxmi Temple Development Plan, which includes the new Pradakshina Marg and conservation works.
Which other leaders attended the Ambabai Temple development launch in Kolhapur?
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Ministers Chandrakant Patil, Prakash Abitkar, Ashish Shelar, Sanjay Sawkare, and Makrand Jadhav-Patil, Minister of State Madhuri Misal, MP Dhananjay Mahadik, MLA Ravindra Chavan, and Kolhapur Mayor Ruparani Nikam attended the ceremony.
