Kolhapur is located in Maharashtra's south-west area, on the banks of the Panchganga River. Kolhapur, 230 kilometres from Pune, is one of the princely states and has a long and illustrious history dating back to the Marathas. Kolhapur is currently famous for its Kolhapuri sandals and necklaces, which are distributed all over the world.
Kolhapur is named after Kolhasur, a monster who was vanquished by Goddess Mahalakshmi in Hindu mythology. In tribute to Goddess Mahalakshmi, the famed Mahalakshmi temple is located here. Kolhapuri chappals, Kolhapuri jewellery, and Kolhapuri food are all well-known throughout India. It is a tourist-friendly destination with no difficulty finding lodging and food.
The New Palace, Shivaji University, Rankala Lake, and Temlabai Mandir are just a few of the city's attractions. Panhalgad, Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, Bahubali Jain Temple, and other local sites like Panhalgad, Bahubali Jain Temple, and Chhatrapati Shahu Museum. Kolhapur shopping is a fantastic pleasure. Textiles, jaggery, antiquities, and gift items are available in addition to chappals and jewellery. Kolhapur, often referred as 'Dakshin Kashi,' is one of the most prosperous cities in Southern Maharashtra's Western Ghats.

Allow history to speak for itself

The city has a long and illustrious history that dates back over 300 years. Kolhapur's origins can be traced back to Hindu legend. Kolhasur, a demon ghost, is claimed to have lived in the city before being annihilated by Goddess Mahalakshmi in order to free the locals from their agony. The spirit's final wish was for the city to be named after him, hence Kolhapur was born. Kolhapur was a notable Buddhist location in the 6th century, and it is also listed as a centre of Kollamma devotion in the Devi Gita, the final and most important chapter of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana. Kolhapur was the site of a bloody struggle between the Western Chalukyas and the Chola Kings in the past. The British conquered this state in the nineteenth century. The state joined the Dominion of India after India's independence and was amalgamated with Bombay State.

Shopping in Kolhapur— Give yourself a break

Kolhapur provides travellers with a wide range of shopping opportunities. Kolhapuri Chappals are known  throughout the world for their inimitable design and grace. They are made of buffalo skin and are the Indians' all-time favourite shoe. While Shetkari Bazaar is the cheapest place to buy this item, practically every market in the city is lined with it. Kolhapur's sarees are another well-known product, highlighting the city's rich exotic look. Jaggery, or 'gur' as it is more often called, is prized for its original taste and complex flavours. Another style of necklace with exquisite, detailed decorations is the saaj. It's a piece of traditional Maharashtrian jewellery that would make an excellent memento for anyone. On the way back, it's a good idea to bring some of the excellent Kolhapuri spices with you. They bring out incredible flavours in everything from sauces to gravies!

Cuisine of Kolhapur— The local favourite

This restaurant is well-known for its hot curries and fries. The food here is known as 'Kolhapuri Cuisine' and is influenced by Maharashtrian cooking styles.
Tambada rassa (red curry) and Pandara rassa (white curry) are the essence of Indian curries, and are particularly well-known for its non-vegetarian cuisine.
Misal, a spicy gravy made with potatoes, peas, and various sprouts, originated here. Only here can you find the genuine Misal, which is famous throughout Maharashtra.

Culture of Kolhapur 

Kolhapur is well-known for its cuisine, footwear, wrestling, jewellery, and religious links. Residents in this region enjoy all sorts of entertainment, from cinema and dance to wrestling, which is quite popular. Master trainers recruit and instruct young lads. There are also numerous competitions organised throughout the year. There are also stage performances featuring ladies practicing the traditional Lavani dance. Kolhapur hosts a number of festivities, the most well-known of which being Diwali. Holi is also a festival that is widely observed. Food plays a major role in their daily lives, and it is stated that the food is as diverse as the people themselves, ranging from hot to sweet, with nothing dull or in between.

People of Kolhapur

Kolhapur has a population of 549,236 people. Hindus make up the majority of the population (83.89 percent). With roughly 10.88 percent of the population, Islam is the second most common religion in the region, trailed by Christians (0.96 percent), Jains (3.35 percent), Sikhs (0.11 percent), and Buddhists (0.11 percent). The inhabitants live in peace and harmony with one another, and they are quite welcoming to visitors. It is also an industrial city that generates annual exports of about 15 billion rupees. Despite the popularity of western clothing, many natives favor traditional garb. Women wear 'salwar kameez' while males wear 'sherwani' and 'kurta pyjama.'

Things to do at Kolhapur

• You can spend time with a variety of animals at the Kolhapur Zoo: Kolhapur Zoo is a lush and attractive location in a limited area that is ideal for nature and wildlife enthusiasts. The zoo, which is near New Palace Lake, is known for its avian exhibits, which include flamingos, peacocks, emus, and a variety of deer. When you visit this zoo, you will have the opportunity to interact with the animals and understand more about their behaviour. If you're looking for something to do in Kolhapur, this is one of the top things to do in Kolhapur because you'll be driving up to the zoo and taking in the lovely nature all around you.
• Relax at the Rankala Lake: For its scenic location, Rankala Lake is one of the most well-known tourist sites in Kolhapur. This lake has long been one of the most popular hangout spots in the evening. Many locals and tourists alike like coming to this location to unwind in the morning and evening. This is one among the must-do activities in Kolhapur. The lake complex contains well-designed walkways and seating spots, all of which are encircled by various gardens and green spaces.
• Discover the Panhala Fort: Panhala Fort is one of Kolhapur's most significant and tactically vital forts. It has an incredible historical repository, and exploring it on your trip to Kolhapur will allow you to understand more about the past. The fort was built in the 12th century and is house to notable constructions such as the Teen Darwaza, Konkan Darwaja, Andhar Bavadi, and Kalavantinicha Mahal. This ancient stronghold should be on your list of things to do in Kolhapur.
• Visit the Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum: Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum is one of the best sites to go to in Kolhapur if you want to learn more about Maharashtra's village life before the Mughals came to power. Through zillions of models of residential hutments, village shops, traditional farm facilities, traditional medicine centres, shrines, barber shops, and public water wells, this one-of-a-kind exhibition hall displays a variety of features of local village life. The museum is situated on a seven-acre site near the Kaneri Math and the Moola Kadsiddheshwar Shiva Temple.

Places to visit

• New Palace Museum: Kolhapur is home to the New Palace Museum, which has been referred to as Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum due to Shrimant Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj's palace. The museum, which is situated on the main level of the palace, offers a look into the lives of Kolhapur's royals with its stunning collection, which contains jewellery, clothing, coins, weaponry, paintings, and even painted animals such as lion, tiger, and deer. Darbar Hall, with its lobed arches, carved columns, and elevated throne, radiates splendour alongside the Photo Gallery.
• Kopeshwar Temple: Kopeshwar Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva, is another must-see Kolhapur attraction for first-timers. Several hundred worshippers visit this lovely shrine throughout the year. Kopeshwar is known not only for the mysticism that pervades the area, but also for the wonderful architecture that it displays. The detailed work on the walls and pillars, as well as the rock cut temple design, make the monument extremely amazing.
• Bhavani Mandap: Bhavani Mandap is an ancient edifice and one of the most prominent attractions to visit in Kolhapur, situated to the west of the Mahalakshmi Temple. Apart from stuffed animals shot by Shahu Maharaj and a wooden throne said to have been utilized by Shivaji Maharaj, it contains a colossal statue of Kolhapur's adored royal — Shahu Maharaj. Bhavani Mandap, one of Kolhapur's most famous tourist sites, provides a thorough recall of the great Marathas.
• Jyotiba Temple: Jyotiba Temple, one of Kolhapur's many tourist attractions, is another must-see. The temple is devoted to Lord Jyotiba and is located in the centre of the city. The worshippers here present gulal, a pink colour powder, as a tribute to the deity, hence Jyotiba Temple is always awash in colour. The temple is located at a height of 3124 feet above sea level and provides a magnificent panoramic view area.
• Kalamba Lake: Kalamba Lake is a lovely 63-acre lake body that is one of the most charming spots to visit in Kolhapur. It is Kolhapur's primary supply of water. A wonderful place to see on a one-day vacation. Kolhapur's Kalamba Lake is also notable for drawing a large number of migrating birds throughout the winter months. The lake is fed by the Katyayani hills and flows into the city.

How to reach?

• By Air: There are no commercial airline services at Kolhapur Airport, and the closest civil airport is Pune Airport. Pune is served by practically all domestic airlines and links to all important Indian cities. Visitors can rent a local cab to get to their desired destination in Kolhapur as they arrive at the airport.
• By Road: Kolhapur is located on National Highway 4, which links Mumbai and Bangalore. It is accessible by a large number of buses from a variety of adjacent cities, including Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore. Road travel between Kolhapur and other cities is pleasant and quick due to good road conditions. 
• By Train: Kolhapur Railway Station is located approximately 5 kilometres from the city centre. Frequent train service to Kolhapur from cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Tirupati, and Satara helped to improve the city's transportation. To get to the city centre, take a bus, vehicle, or rickshaw from the railway station.