[ Edit ] Overview

Once the capital of the Marathas, Kolhapur presents a heady mixture of many arenas. Sprawled on the banks of the River Panchganga, the city of Kolhapur is located in the south west corner of Maharashtra and has a rich culture and religious heritage whose symbols stand in the background in the face of its growing industrial sector.

Kolhapur has risen to prosperity as it comes under the sugarcane belt which leads to production of jaggery, sugar processing industries etc. Sugar Factories are common place here.  Other industries that have been developed here include manufacture of textiles, engineering products, food processing industries mainly milk and milk products, pharmaceuticals etc.

Kolhapur has a few interesting palaces and a thriving Mahalaxshmi Temple and is also a gateway to destinations such as Panhala and Dajipur Bison Sanctuary.

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[ Edit ] History

An excavation in 1945 on Brahnmagiri Hills in Kolhapur revealed the existence of an ancient town dating back to the Roman era. The city was ruled by many Indian dynasties in the years thereafter - the Yadavas, Rashtrakutas, and Chalukyas among others mostly rulers of medieval times. It was once the capital of the Silahara dynasty. The city is sprinkled with many of the temples built during the Satavahana dynasty However the city of Kolahpur flourished under the rule of Marathas when Kolhapur became the cultural hub promoting various crafts like drama, art, paintings. Today, the city is a prominent centre of the Marathi film industry.

Kolhapur was earlier called “Kolhasur”. Legend suggests that a demon named Kolhasur was killed by Goddess Mahalakshmi, whose temple is the main attraction in the city. She relieved the local population of his evil deeds, but honouring the demon’s dying wish, the city was named after him.

On the religious front Kolhapur was called as “Dakshin Kashi or Karvir” because the main deity here was Goddess Mahalakshmi or Ambabai. The city is one of the Shaktipeeths mentioned in Indian mythology – the book of Devi Gita.

The founder and architect of modern city of Kolhapur is Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja.

Quick Facts

[ Edit ] State

Maharastra, India

[ Edit ] Location

Kolhapur is located in Kolhapur District in the South West corner of Maharastra, approximately 400 kms from Mumbai.

[ Edit ] Best Time To Visit

The best time to visi Kolhapur is between the months of November to March.

[ Edit ] Tourist Offices

[ Edit ] STD Code

0231

Sightseeing

Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir

Dajipur Bison Sanctuary

Jyotiba Temple

Mahalaxmi Temple

New Palace

Panchganga Ghat

Panhala

Rankala

Shalini Palace

Temblai Mandir

Weather

DAY: Sun	LOW: 26	HIGH: 32
DAY: Mon	LOW: 26	HIGH: 32

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