Kolhapur
Kolhapur is a small district of Maharashtra state with an area of
7692 sq.kms. Since it is 400 kms from Mumbai, Kolhapur offer worth a
tour at the week ends as it offers the glimpses of both the
historical epochs as well religion.
Kolhapur is connected to important cities like Mumbai and Pune and
is situated on the river banks of Panchganga river. One can reach
the destination from either side of the two important cities.
Kolhapur has been an ideal platform for art and drama especially
fine arts justified by their contributions in marathi cinema, music
and painting in the art galleries. Excavations carried in 1945
reveal the tale of the city with healthy relations and influence of
foreign cultures like Roman empire. The mythological importance
counts on the fact that some of the oldest temples are present in
the city.
Kolhapur as a tourist destination has many things to offer; places
like ancient monuments, the Marathi cinema, famous Kolhapuri leather
chappal, Kusti (wrestling sport) and a flourishing industry.
Kolhapur is bestowed with the pleasant climate and that makes it
worth going for a picnic except in rainy season. Safe drinking water
is not a problem: thanks to the Maharaj who built the Radhanagari
dam somewhat towards the end of 19th century .
Kolhapur contributes a lot in supplying the milk products to the
region as well the rest of India, no wonder why the sport like kusti
is legendry to the region. It's a prosperous centre with
majority employed in sugarcane cultivation and processing and
industries like cotton, textiles, tobacco. The region is also a
major bauxite producing centre. The Warma region in Kolhapur has the
distinction of being the first wired village in India.
Tourist Attractions:
Mahalaxmi Temple:
Kolhapur, also known as Dakshin Kashi (Varanasi of South) has in it
one of the oldest and best known temples - The Mahalaxmi temple.
Symbolic to the city, the Mahalaxmi temple houses Goddess Ambabi as
diety.
The temple was erected by the Chalukya king Karnadeve in 634 A.D.
There is also prsesence of Budhist remains and Stupa with the
inscriptions of Asoka period. The temple is a conspicous and
dominant figure in the old city. Five worship services are offered
each day with the first starting at 5 a.m. The western entrance is
the main entrance.
Old Palace:
Old Palace houses the piantings and stuffed animal which are
regularly visited by tourists and students.
The Old Palace, now a known museum, houses products like painting
and stuffed animals. The Kolhapur also showcases artefacts of bronze
and pottery and exacavated products from Brahmapuri hill.
One remarkable thing about the Brahmapuri hill is that it contains
a small bronze idol of the Greek God Poseidon holding a trident like
the one held by Shiva.
Panhala :
Panhala, a hill station is frequently visited hill station. It is
18 km north west of Kollahpur. The hill has the history as being the
stronghold of Raja Bhoj II somewhere round 1192. The cover was first
captured by the Mughals followed by Mararthas and at the last by the
British. Pawala caves and Budhist caves are quite close to the
hills.
A number of hotels provide the services for accommodation and
cuisine. Hotel Pearl, Hotel Woodland and Hotel Panchsil are some
prime luxury hotels. Hotel Pearl (**) is located at New Shahpuri,
Kolhapur; Hotel Woodland (**) at 204 B-E Ward Tarabi Park and Hotel
Panchsil at 517 A/2 Shivaji Park.
Kolahpur is connected with other cities through railway lines,
highway and an airport base. The railway station is in the vicinity
of bust standand towards the centre of town. The lines connnects
Kolhapur with Mumbai and Pune.Daily Konya Express and Mahalaxmi
Express are important ones. It takes some 11 hours from Mumbai to
Kolhapur and some 8 hours From Pune. Ujail airport is the nearest
and about 10 kms from Kolhapur. |
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