October 15, 2007
Places to see in Kolhapur
Kolhapur is a city located in the south west corner of Maharashtra. It is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and provides the location for the Mahalakshmi Temple. Ancient texts such as the Padmapurana and the Skandapurana speak in glowing terms of Karveer or Dakshin Kashi which is, in fact modern-day Kolhapur. Following are the places to see in Kolhapur.
Mahalaxmi Temple : The foundation of this temple was laid down by the Chalukya ruler, Karandev in the seventh century AD.He initiated the construction and then in the ninth century, 
the Shilahara Yadavas beautified it further.It is an important spiritual center which draws millions of pilgrims from all over the world. The temple houses the revered idol of the goddess — Mahalaxmi or Amba Bai which weighs upto 40 kgs.The idol exists in its natural form of primeval monolith carved out of uncut diamonds and precious stones.It is known as Swayambhu.Besides the temple also houses the temples of other deities such as Kashi Vishweshwar, Kartikaswami, Sheshashayi, Siddhivinayak, Mahaswaraswati, Mahakali, Shree Dutta and Shree Ram.The temple organise enthusiastic celebrations on the occassion of Chaitra Poornima and Navratri.On every Friday the ‘Palkhi’ ritual is performed.
Amboli : Amboli is located at 64kms away from Belgaum in the 
southern ranges of the Sahyadri hills at an altitude of 690 m.It is the last mountain resort from where the coastal highlands decreases in size and joins the flat beaches.The tourist may visit the lush green hills and fertile plain.The golden Konkan coast also offers a splendid view to the tourists.The tourist can also enjoy fishing at Hiranya Keshi.Nagatta Falls, Mahadev Gad and Narayan Gad are considered as an ideal place for picnic purpose.At 10 kms from the site there are Bauxite Mines.It is regarded as an ideal resort owing to its cool and invigorating climate.Panhala : Panhala is located at 20 kms from the industrial city of 
Kolhapur and at an altitude of 977 m.Panhala was built in 1178-1209 AD.It is the largest of all Deccan forts.Panhala encompasses innumerable places of interest such as Sajja Kothi,the place where Sambhaji was imprisoned ; Ambabai Temple, where Shivaji seek blessings from the Goddess before venturing on expeditions ; Pavankhind, where Baji Prabhu sacrificed his life to cover Shivaji’s escape.Although the place served as the seat of the Shilahara dynasty since AD 1190, and was captured by the Yadava and Bahamani kingdoms yet it is redolent with memories of Shivaji as it is one of those few forts where Shivaji spent more than 500 days.The place encloses huge granary, Amberkhana, which is said to contain 25,000 khandis (50,000 mounds) of corn poured into it from symmetrical gaps in the ceiling.
Dajipur Bison Sanctuary : Dajipur resort is located on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts.The place is totally aloof ofhuman habitat as it is situated admist of rugged mountains and dense forests.The sanctuary offers homeage to beast like bison, wild deer, chital, gawa and other spectacular wild animals and birds.The place offers exciting and beautiful holiday getaway as it situated 1200 metres above sea level .Also an excursion in the vicinity to the Gagangiri Maharaj’s Math marks a pleasant outing.This scenic resort near the backwaters of the Radhanagari Dam is a great source of attraction for wildlife lovers and naturalists.
Ramteerth : Ramteerth is located in Ajra taluka.It encloses ancient temples, river, an old coffee plantation and an orchard,which lends it a quaint charm and makes it an ideal picnic spot.The place has its holy significance. According to Hindu mythology, It is said that Lord Rama stayed here during his period exile in the forest. It is renowed for its breathtaking natural beauty.
Vishalgad : Vishalgad is located at 76 kms away north-west of Kolhapur.The name Vishalgad itself represents grandeur and magnificence. The fort encloses the Amriteshwar Temple, Takmak Tok, Sati Vrindavan and the dargah or tomb of Hazrat Malikdhyan Baba.The temples are visited by thousands of devotees during festives.
Gurudwara of Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib.It is one of the four High seats of Authority of the Sikhs. The signioficance of the place lies in the fact that it is the place where Shri GuruGobind Singhji took his last breath.It was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singhji,the ruler of Punjab from 1830 to 1839 A.D. The Gurudwara exhibits the mortal remains of the 10th Guru along with a number of weapons of different kinds.
Hottal : Hottal is located in Degloor Taluka. It is 8 km away from Degloor. The place holds its significance from the temple of Lord Siddheshwar. The temple exhibits characteristic Art of The Chalukya Era. It is carved out of stones.
significance .According to hindu mythology the place was graced by the holy feet of Lord Rama and Sita, their consort during the exile.On the hills of Ramtek Bhagwan Shriram temple is located which is also known by “Gadh Mandir”.Along with Shriram temple.Shri. Radhakrishna temple, Shri. Narsingh Temple, Shri Ghumeshwar temple, Shri. Bhogram temple, Shri. Warah temple, Shri. Bhi-bahan temple, and on shhewalya hill eighteen-bhug Shri. Ganesha temples are also located here.On the occassion of Ramnavami and Kartik shuddh poornima tourist from different parts of country visit the temple to celebrate the occassion.
dam, tourists are fascinated by the Its beautiful nature spot fascinates the tourists worldwide. On the banks of the river Godavari there is a temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman . A village named Anandwalli by Peshwas as Anandibai and Raghobadada, lived there for some time is located on the way to Someshwar. The temple - Navasha Ganpati was also built by Anandibai and Raghobadada.The facility of swimming and boating is also available.The greenery of the area and pleasant climate adds to its beauty. Someshwar has been a favourite location for many a filmshootings.
: The foundation of this temple was laid by Peshwas.On the occasion of Ramnavami, Dasara and Chaitra Padwa (Hindu new year day) the temple carry out procession. The temple is carved out of black stones.The speciality of this stones are that they were brought from Ramshej 200 years ago. Nearly 23 lakhs of rupees and 2000 workers were employed to built the temple in 12 years.The mount of the temple is made up of 32 tons of gold.
Aurangabad Caves : Aurangabad Caves are artificial caves, dug out of the rather soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. This caves are found on two separate locations, called Western Group Caves (caves 1-5) and Eastern Group Caves (caves 6-10), about 1km from each other. Each group has five caves. The architecture and iconography is influenced by Tantric Hinduism.
Bibi-ka -Maqbara : It was built around 1657-1661, by the last of the six great Mughal Emperors, Aurangazeb, for his wife, Rabia Durrani. Aurangazeb’s mausoleum is far less ornamental, than Taj Mahal. The mausoleum stands in a square of 1,37,00 sq. meters. The monument is an excellent example of Persian Architecture. It’s more attractive at night, when it’s floodlit.
Panchkakki : Panchakki (water wheel) takes its name from the mill, which used to grind grain for the pilgrims. It also has the tomb of Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi Saint. Dating back to the 17th century, this ingenious watermill was designed to generate energy via water, brought down from a spring on a mountain, located nearby. The energy generated was, further, used to turn the large grinding stones of the flourmill. In 1624, a Sufi saint who was much revered by Aurangzeb was buried here; the gardens and fish tanks serve as his memorial.
: The Commune was founded by Osho Rajneesh who died in 1990.Ohso ashram, which is now known as the Osho communal centre is located at 17-km away from Koregoan Park, a green and elite suburb of Pune. The Osho International Commune is in Koregaon Park, attracting thousands of foreigners wishing to take part in the meditation courses organized by the Ashram.The commune has beautiful gardens open to the public in the mornings and evenings.
: Agakhan Palace is a great historical landmark of Pune.It is located at 2-km away from Bund Garden in Yerwada on Pune - Nagar Road.This place is carved out of Italian arches and spacious lawns, an unlikely place for a prison but the Britishers interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here.The architecture of the palace wil take you down memory lane, reminding you of the illustrations from fairy tale houses.
Shindyanchi Chhatri : The temple is carved out of Rajasthani architecture.This is one of the architectural prides of Pune.The great warrior Mahadji Shinde,the commander-in-chief of the Maratha army founded this memorial in the year 1760 to 1780 under the mighty Peshwas. The is an imposing edifice situated at Wanowrie.
ataleshwar Cave Temples was built in 8th century.This temple is carved out of rock.The huge pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull imparts a special attraction to this temple.It is located in the heart of the city, at Shivaji Nagar.
: The Shaniwar Wada temple was built in 1736.The temple has historic importance.The palace belonged to Peshwa (Prime Ministers) rulers which became the seat of political power during the reign of Bajirao-I. The wada (Fort) was destroyed by a major fire in 1827.Till today the cause of the fire is unknown. The palace has became so conspicuous that to this date it is regarded as a symbol of culture.
: The Parvati museum is located on the hill top.It is a display house of protraits of heroes of the Peshwa dynasty along with old manuscripts, weapons and coins.The ‘Nagarkhana’ drum house, the imposing temple of Parvati and Devdeveshwar are the main structures on the hill.According to the records, the main idol was carved out of gold by craftsmen from Karnataka.However it was stolen in 1932,later on it was replaced by silver idols plated with gold.The 108 step climb to the 17th century temple is a major source of attraction for the tourist.
