The City of Kolhapur...

Kolhapur is a city in Maharashtra and is known as Dakshin Kashi from ancient time. It is a famous religious place due to Mahalakshmi & Jotiba temple. Kolhapur is a famous centre of Art, Education, Industry and Sports, particularly wrestling. Kolhapur city and its surrounding regions prominently come under the sugarcane belt where the sugarcane is main cash crops. Abundant water supply from a lumber of rivers flowing through this area, fertile land and hard working people have changed the face of this area giving it a status of the highest per ca pita income in India, also, Kolhapur has carved its name, on the world map, in production of quality jaggery, tobacco traditional gold ornament and leather chappals. Moreover, Kolhapur possesses historical as well as mythological importance. The city stands on the bank of river Panchaganga. It is known as "Dakshin Kashi" on account of the deity "Mahalaxmi" or "Ambabai". Kolhapur is archaeologically an important place in India due to the ancient temple of "Goddess Shri Mahalaxmi ". The place of "Jyotiba" is about 15Kms towards north of the city. The famous hill station "Panhala" is about 18 Kms towards North West of the town. Both of these places attract a huge number of tourists as well as pilgrims every year. Kolhapur is situated on the bank of river "Panchaganaga" which is a tributary of River Krishna and is a source of raw water for Kolhapur and of other villages and owns on the downstream of Kolhapur. Kolhapur city is located in the south west part of Maharashtra State. City enjoys moderate temperature changes dropping below 150 C in winter and rises above 400 C in summer. Wind is commonly from western side. Rainfall in the city is comparatively good. Average rainfall is 1025 mm. 

 The jaggery of Kolhapur is famous throughout India and regulated market facility for the same has made the city an important marketing city of India in jaggery. So also ample production of sugarcane in the surrounding areas of the city has given impetus to the establishment of sugar factories though out the district. The coastal line (western) is only 75 km away from Kolhapur & hence is known as 'Door of Konkan'.

 Kolhapur is a centre of central railway, having a railway terminal station named "Chhatrapati Shahu Tarminus". Now a days, the proposal of connection Kolhapur terminal to Konkan railway is under consideration. Kolhapur is also having an airport at 'Ujalaiwadi' located near NH-4.

Shalini Palace has earned its status for its grandeur and finery. Shalini Palace is the only palace hotel present in all over Maharashtra and has been reputed to give world-class services to its boarders. In front of the Palace, there is a picturesque lake called Lake Rankala. The Shalini Palace was built around the 1930's. It has been entitled after Princess Shrimant Shalini Raje who was the daughter of rulers of Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Shahaji II Puar Maharaj and Queen Pramila Raje.

 

New Palace is situated at Kolhapur in Maharashtra. This palace exhibits commendable architecture and its ground floor is used to showcase Maharaja’s splendid collection of weapons, costumes, embroidery, jewellery, games and other paraphernalia, such as elephant saddles made of silver. The present Maharaja resides in the first floor of this awe-inspiring palace.

The palace houses a museum inside it which displays a fantastic collection of the trophies, guns and garments of the ace ruler Maharaja Shahaji Chhatrapati. This museum known as Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum exhibits collection of weapons that include some swords, double-barrelled shotgun, gold-plated and various types of guns. This marvellous museum even displays a sword of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.

This palace is popularly known by the name of “Maharaja’s New Palace.”

The city is famous for 'kolhapuri saaj’ (necklace with traditional pattern), jaggery ,'kolhapuri chappal' (traditional leather sandal) and wrestling.
   It is a special type of necklace which is very popular with Maharastrian Women. The ‘saaj’ is designed in all over Maharashtra but the Kolhapuri Saaj is famous.

       Kolhapur is also  famous for it non-veg food recipes (Marathi: kolhapuri pandhara rassa, tambadaa rassa) and unique spices.

So if you have to taste the real kolhapuri food, you have to travel to the lovely city of kolhapur, where People of Kolhapur love to show their hospitality by serving variety of kolhapuri dishes in their traditional “PAHUNCHAR’.