Local Area
A Quick Guide to Kolhapur City
Kolhapur, situated on the banks of the Panchganga River, is a beautiful destination in Maharashtra famed for its religious and historical sites. The ancient city finds mention as a place of Kollamma worship in the holy Devi Bhagavat Purana and is home to many revered religious sites, including Mahalakshmi Temple that is dedicated to the guardian deity of the city – Mahalakshmi or Ambabai, who killed demon Kolhasura. Along with a number of temples, the city is dotted with heritage sites, museums, a water park, a lake, etc. Here is a list of the popular places to visit in Kolhapur to make the best of your time in the city.
Arts & Entertainment
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New Palace (Kolhapur) History Museum
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Kaneri Math Museum (Siddhagiri Museum) Open Air Museum
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Shalini Place
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Khasbag Wrestling Stadium
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Dream World Water Park
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Kolhapur Zoo
Shopping
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Kolhapuri Chappals: Kolhapuri is famous for its iconic open-toe, T-strap sandals. These are handcrafted leather slippers that are locally tanned using vegetable dyes. These kinds of sandals are made using primal hard materials and made to be extremely durable. Its ethnic design means that they make a decent fashion statement too.
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Kolhapur Sarees: Another thing Kohalpur is famous for is its Sarees. What makes its sarees unique is their rich vibrant colors and ethnic design. These sarees were made famous by Bollywood actresses who adorned them in popular films.
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Jaggery: Kolhapuri is also famous for its jaggery. In this modern age, slowly rural products are seeing an industrial makeover. Kolhapur’s jaggery has however bucked this trend, at least until now. Hence, it retains its original taste and authentic flavors and no doubt creates great demand among the tourists.
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Saaj: Jewellers in Kolhapur blend exquisite artisanship with religious figurines to come up with its iconic ‘saaj.' Families in Kolhapur have been practicing this trade for generations. The SAAJ is a traditional Maharashtrian necklace. While traditionally, it had 21 leaves, in recent times, the more contemporary versions have 10-12 leaves. Nevertheless, the ‘saaj’ is a unique piece of Kolhapur's tradition and is perfect memorabilia from a trip to Kolhapur.
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Kolhapuri Masala: In an earlier post, we had gone into detail into Kolhapur's unique cuisine and how it has been ably supported by the famous Kolhapuri Masala. So before heading back home, it won’t be a bad idea to pack some of those amazing spices. It is easy to spot a shop selling Kolhapuri masala in the city. Moreover, it has diversified a lot over the years, and now there is a wide array of different blends of spices ranging from one with a hint of chutney to something that is tailor-made to cook mutton.
Family-Friendly Attractions
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Mahalaxmi Temple
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New Palace and Chhatrapati Sahu Museum
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Town Hall Museum
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Old Palace
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Jyotiba
Sagareshwar Deer Sanctuary
Just go 10ms from Audumber is the first manmade sanctuary in India. Sagareshwar is located. More than 550 deers are been counted during last years census. Along with it, peacocks can be seen easily in their natural habitat. Grounded on 10.87 km of land, the sanctuary is an attraction such as a Shiva temple built in the 9th century. Along with Shiva temple, Laxmi Narayan and Vishnu are among the other deities in the same premises.by traveling far 4 km in the sanctuary, you can visit a summit from where a picturesque view of river and forms can be seen.
Gaganbawda
Gaganbawda can be found within the sahyadri variety as well as traditional western ghats also offers an extremely popular fortification Gagangad close to this. Gaganbawada, although just fifty five kilometres through Kolhapur, is actually no created as well as hilly part of the region. Gaganbawada has got the optimum rainwater throughout wet time of year. Gaganbawada is actually upon tolerance associated with popular Karul Ghat and Bhuibawada Ghat. Probably the just location getting 2 ghats coming in a solitary location however heading in the direction of various instructions, 1 in the direction of Talere-Kankavali (Karul Ghat) as well as an additional in the direction of Kharepatan-Rajapur (Bhuibawada Ghat). The actual Kolhapur region border finishes soon after Gaganbawada as well as Sindhudurg Region begins simply at the start of Karul Ghat as well as Bhuibawada Ghat.
Kopeshwar Temple
The ancient Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur in Kolhapur District is dedicated to Lord Shiva and sits on the bank of River Krishna. There are reasons to believe that even though the construction of Kopeshwar temple started sometime in 7th century AD, the work remained incomplete largely due to constant skirmishes between warring rulers of the region. The renovation was completed only in the 12th Century by the Shilahara and the Yadava Kings.
This temple is in four parts, all interconnected through vestibules. The first structure you enter through is the Swarga Mandap (Heavenly Hall). The architecture of Swarga mandap is unique. This mandap is round in shape and is constructed with the support of 48 well carved rounded stone pillars which are placed in three circles. Each of the 48 pillars has been carved in different shapes -round, square, hexagon and octagon. Another unique feature of Swarga Mandap is that a part of the circular ceiling in the middle (with a radius of 13 feet) is open to the sky. The sanctum is conical. The exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base.
Kalammawadi Dam, Kolhapur
Kalammawadi dam is the biggest dam in Kolhapur Dist. It’s a build in south-west Kolhapur Radhanagri Taluka. There is a temple of goddess Kalamma Devi. Also Indian Gour area and huge biodiversity place.
Vishalgad Fort
Vishalgad fort, is also called ‘Khelna’ or ‘Khilna’ by locals, and was one of the important forts of the Maratha empire. The name ‘Vishalgad’ means grand fort in Marathi, the name was given by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj after annexing it during 1659. The structure covers an area of 1130 m and was built on a hilltop in the Sahyadri mountain ranges at a height of 3500 feet above sea level, and is about 76 km north – west of Kolhapur.
Vishalgad Fort was built in the year 1058 by a Shilahara ruler ‘Marsinh’ and was initially known as ‘Khilgil’ fort. But down the centuries it passed into the hands of many rulers who ruled around the Deccan region. When the fort was under the control of Adilshah of Shivaji wanted to capture the fort but the terrain of the fort was difficult and conquering appeared a herculean task. Shivaji attacked the fort several times, but the Adilshahiregimentwere defending the fort valiantly. So then, Shivaji came up with a strategy.
Narsobawadi
The ancient Kopeshwar temple at Khidrapur in Kolhapur District is dedicated to Lord Shiva and sits on the bank of River Krishna. There are reasons to believe that even though the construction of Kopeshwar temple started sometime in 7th century AD, the work remained incomplete largely due to constant skirmishes between warring rulers of the region. The renovation was completed only in the 12th Century by the Shilahara and the Yadava Kings.
This temple is in four parts, all interconnected through vestibules. The first structure you enter through is the Swarga Mandap (Heavenly Hall). The architecture of Swarga mandap is unique. This mandap is round in shape and is constructed with the support of 48 well carved rounded stone pillars which are placed in three circles. Each of the 48 pillars has been carved in different shapes -round, square, hexagon and octagon. Another unique feature of Swarga Mandap is that a part of the circular ceiling in the middle (with a radius of 13 feet) is open to the sky. The sanctum is conical. The exterior has stunning carvings of deities and secular figures. Elephant statues sustain the weight of the temple at the base.
Radhanagari Dam
Radhanagari Dam, constructed by Shahu Maharaj the ruler of Kolhapur State, is located in the Kolhapur District of Maharashtra. Constructed across the Bhogawati River. Radhanagari Dam is a century-old dam built by the Kolhapur ruler Shahu Maharaj and constructed across the Bhogawati River. This dam is used primarily for hydroelectric power generation and also for irrigation purposes. The dam is located at a scenic spot, with a stunningly spectacular backdrop of thick forest covers. The dam site is a habitat for many birds and varied flora. Visitors flock here in large numbers each year to the see the spectacular bird species that grace the area around the Radhanagiri Dam. As a part of the promotion of Maharashtra tourism, the Radhanagiri Damn climbed the popularity chart and emerged as quite a favourite with locals, as well as tourists. Head here for some peace, solace and nature at its stupendous best! One thing is for certain, you won’t be disappointed. It is just the location for the peace and quiet that one looks for while taking a relaxing break from the mundane routine of life.
Amboli Ghat
Amboli is situated approximately 135 km away from Kolhapur, on the way to coastal Goa. A quiet and unassuming hill-station tucked away in the beautiful Sahyadri Ranges, it is about 690 mts above sea level with thick forest, deep ravines, and tall cliffs. The Hiranyakeshi River has its source in the surrounding hills and there is an ancient Shiva cave temple at the mouth of the river source. High rainfall and swirling mists in the monsoon, numerous waterfalls, beautiful valley views and jungle trails attract weekenders looking for a quick break from their hectic schedule the year round. Maharashtra Tourism has a resort built for visitors who would like to take advantage of the jungle location and the cool climate for a retreat from city life.
Kailasgad Chi Swari Mandir
This temple is close to Khasbaug Maidan, where a marvelous Lord Shiva’s paintings by the famous artist G. Kamble. This temple has been maintained in spick & span condition to this day.
Bhaubali
Kumbhoj is the name of an ancient city located 8 km away from Hathkanagale town in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra. A 28 – feet tall monolith statue of Bahubali stands two kilometers away from Kumbhoj city.
According to mythology, an ascetic saint Shri Bahubali Maharaj lived here almost 250 years ago. He was a renowned scholar and a mystic. It is said that due to his spiritual presence no wild animals attacked the pilgrims visiting the temple site. The site has been named as Kumbhoj Bahubali in memory of this great saint. After the death of the saint Bahubali, many great spiritual Jain Munis have visited the place making this temple site more blessed for the devout followers of Jainism. This is a famous Jain pilgrimage center and believed to be an Atishaya Kshetra-a place of miracles