If you’ve grown up in Karvir Nagari like I have, you know that every corner of Kolhapur breathes the presence of the Divine Mother. From the grand Mahalakshmi temple to the smaller shrines tucked away in old lanes, every deity here tells a story — a story of devotion, protection, and grace.
.png "Devi Anugamini adorned with flowers and traditional attire in her shrine")
Among the Navdurgas of Karvir — Ekvira Renuka Mata, Muktambika, Padmavati, Firangai (Pratyangira), Kamalaja Bhagavati, Mahakali, Anugamini, Gajendra Lakshmi, and Shri Lakshmi — one stands apart for her gentle and mysterious nature: Anugamini Devi, the Divine Guide who walks beside the soul.
Her temple near Javlacha Ganapati in Shetvadi may look modest, but her presence there is deeply felt. The moment you sit before her, the world quiets down. The sound of passing traffic fades, and what remains is an unusual stillness — not empty, but filled with warmth, like the silence that follows a mother’s reassuring touch.
The Devi Who Walks Beside
Her name, Anugamini, means “the One who follows.” True to her name, she is believed to accompany the soul of a devotee after death, ensuring that it reaches Jagadamba’s realm and finds liberation.
Here in Kolhapur, we often say that even death is sacred when the Mother walks with you. While many deities protect us during our lifetime, Anugamini Devi’s compassion begins when the journey of life ends.
When one chants softly,
“Shri Anugamini Jai Anugamini,”
it feels like invoking the promise that no true devotee will ever walk alone — not in life, and not beyond it.
The Hidden Strength of Compassion
Elders in the area often describe her as “Ti maay jate sobat” — “The Mother goes along with you.” Unlike the fierce goddesses who destroy demons and obstacles, Anugamini Devi protects through presence. She doesn’t need to roar or strike; her power lies in her quiet assurance.
She is said to walk beside the soul as it leaves the body, guiding it gently across unseen realms so that it doesn’t lose its way. Her grace ensures that those who lived with faith in Shiv-Shakti are received by the Mother herself.
For many in Kolhapur, her temple is a place of solace after loss. People come here not out of fear, but love — lighting lamps and praying for their ancestors’ peace. And many leave with lighter hearts, feeling as though their prayers were truly heard.
A Navdurga of Karvir
Each of Kolhapur’s Navdurgas holds a distinct energy. Ekvira blesses beginnings, Muktambika brings freedom, Padmavati embodies devotion, Firangai roars with divine protection, Kamalaja rides with creative power, Mahakali rules transformation, Gajendra Lakshmi grants abundance, and Shri Lakshmi reigns as the guardian of Karvir.
Anugamini Devi, among them, is the silent pilgrim of souls — the bridge between life and liberation. She doesn’t demand elaborate rituals. Her worship is simple, heartfelt, and sincere. Even a whisper of her name carries the vibration of release and peace.
The Mother Beyond Fear
Kolhapur is a land of strong goddesses — our deities are known to be fierce, protective, and commanding. Yet, Anugamini Devi shows us another face of Shakti — the one that comforts instead of conquers.
She teaches that divine strength isn’t only about slaying demons, but also about guiding lost souls, healing grief, and holding space for transitions. Her energy feels like dusk — gentle, calm, but carrying the sacred promise of dawn.
A Name That Walks With You
Every time we say,
“Shri Anugamini Jai Anugamini,”
it’s more than a chant — it’s a reminder that the Divine never leaves our side.
She is one of Karvir’s quiet jewels — a goddess not of grandeur but of grace. When all paths seem to end, she appears as the one who continues the journey, ensuring that every devotee of Shiv-Shakti reaches the eternal abode of the Mother.
So, the next time you find yourself in Shetvadi, stop by her temple. Sit for a few minutes. You may not hear words, but you will feel her presence — a calm certainty that Anugamini Devi walks with you, now and forever.
Shri Anugamini Jai Anugamini.