Kolhapur’s Historic Ambabai Temple to Get State Protected Monument Status After Bombay HC Directive
Kolhapur’s Historic Ambabai Temple to Get State Protected Monument Status After Bombay HC Directive
Kolhapur, July 21, 2026: The Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government to issue the final notification declaring Kolhapur’s historic Shri Ambabai (Mahalaxmi) Temple as a State Protected Ancient Monument within 15 days. The court also warned that strict action would be initiated against the concerned officials if the directive is not implemented within the stipulated timeframe.
The order was passed by the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court while hearing a petition seeking heritage protection for the nearly 1,200-year-old temple under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960. The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 10.
During the proceedings, the court noted that the state government had issued a preliminary notification on July 20, 2016, proposing to declare the temple a protected monument. Although objections were invited and the hearing process was completed, the final notification has remained pending for almost a decade.
Representing the state, government counsel informed the bench that the process of examining objections had been completed and sought six months to issue the final notification. However, the court expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged delay, observing that the protection of such an important cultural and archaeological heritage site should have been accorded priority.
The High Court emphasized that the Ambabai Temple, with a history spanning nearly 1,200 years, is an invaluable part of Maharashtra’s cultural, historical, and archaeological heritage. It also highlighted the temple’s immense religious significance, as it attracts thousands of devotees from across the country.
Calling the nearly ten-year delay after the preliminary notification unjustifiable, the bench directed the Maharashtra government to complete the remaining formalities and issue the final notification within 15 days.
The court further warned that failure to comply with its directions could invite strict action against the responsible government officials. The matter will be reviewed during the next hearing on August 10, when the state is expected to report compliance with the court’s order.
