Top 5 places to visit in Kolhapur

 Kolhapur is the city located in Western Maharashtra. Kolhapur having many tourism places to visit. This city contains many historical and religious places. These places are as follows,

1. Mahalaxmi Temple

2. Jyotiba Temple

3. Panhala Fort

4. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary

5. Rankala Lake

6. Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace)

7. Narsinhwadi Datta Mandir

8. Siddhagiri Museum

9. Radhanagari Dam

10. Khasbag Maindan

1. Mahalaxmi Temple :- 

                                    

            The Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most popular temple from Kolhapur. This temple has many historic moments. The Mahalaxmi Temple was built in 7th century. This temple is also known as "Dakshin Kashi". And is one of the popular six abodes of Shakti. Mahalaxmi temple enjoys a status if one of the most important pilgrim sites of India. There is also a temple in honor of Goddess Bhavani near the Mahalaxmi temple. Generally temples faces north or east as Hindu religion but Mahalaxmi temple is faces West, and this is its unique feature. The Mahalaxmi temple is located about 5 Km from Railway Station and Central Bus Stand of the city. 

2. Jyotiba Temple :-

                                    

            JyotibaTemple is one of the most famous & religious places from Kolhapur. This temple is near the Wadi Ratnagiri in Kolhapur district. Lord Jyotiba helped Ambabai in her  fight against the demons. The god Jyotiba destroyed the Ratnasur Rakshasa. There is a big fair is held on Chaitra Poornima of Hindu Calender. At that time lacs of devotees come with ‘tall (sasan) sticks’. The Jyotiba temple is 18 km north-west of Kolhapur city. The temple is located at a height of 3124 feet from sea level. As per the tradition the original Kedareshwar Temple was built by Navji Saya & in 1730, the present temple is built in its place by Ranoji Shinde. Being Sunday is the day dedicated to Lord Jyotiba, there is always rush over there. So this is one of the best & beautiful places from Kolhapur to visit. 

3. Panhala Fort :-

                           

            Panhala is the most historic fort in Kolhapur. It is located in Panhala which is 20 km away from the Kolhapur city. It is situated on northwest direction from the city. Its perimeter is 14 km thats why it is one of the largest fort of Maharashtra. Panhala Fort has very important position in the 'Hindavi Swarajya'. This fort is built between 1178 and 1209 CE. The significant importance of Panhala, guardian one of the principal routes through the Western Ghat, can be judged from its long and varied history. Biuilt between 1178 and 1209, it first served as the headquaters of the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II, and subsequently passed into hands of the Bahamanis of Bidar, during the rainy season of 1469, the powerful prime minister Mahmud Gawan, encamped here. Panhala was absorbed into the kingdom of Bijapur by the beginning of the 16th century. For strengthening and rebuilding the ramparts and gateway, the Adil Shahis were responsible. The fort was raided by Chatrapati Shivaji in 1669, but it was not untill 1673 that he was able  to occupy it permanently. So, this is the most important place to visit in Kolhapur.

4. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary :-

                                              

             It is also known as Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary. Since 2012, it is Natural World Heritage Site of category ix and x. It is about 46 km away from Kolhapur city and lies at southern end of the Sahyadri hills in Western Ghats. In 1958, it is notified as ‘Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary’ and it is notable as the first declared wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra. It is popularly known as ‘Bison Sanctuary’ with Indian Bison population around 1091 in 2014. This is one of the natural World Heritage Sites recognised by UNESCO as Sahyadri sub cluster of Western Ghats. Major tributries of  Krishna River viz. Bhogavati River, Dudhaganga River, Tulshi River, Kallamma River and Dirba River flow through the premises sanctuary’s. The total area of the sanctuary is 136 sq mi. So Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary is the best destination to visit in Kolhapur.

5. Rankala Lake :-

                          

             Rankala Lake is picturesque lake in the Kolhapur District which is located in the Kolhapur city itself. At the beigining of  the 8^th century this historical place was just a stone quarry. In the earthquake which took place something change took place in the quarry. The water gets saturated from multiple underground sources water. This accumulated water is today’s famous Rankala Lake. A temple with very big Nandi is near the lake. Lord Shiva uses Nandi for travelling as per the Hindu Mythologies. The mythology says that the idol of Nandi moves about a distance of a single wheat grain towards the lake and back about a distance of single rice grain daily. It is believed that whenever this idol reaches the lake the whole world will be destroyed. Sandhya Math was built on the banks of this lake there is “Shalini Palace” and towards north-east “Padmarahje Garden” makes the scene of this lake enchanting. For development of tourism, the lake has been developed into a pathway, park and sit-outs. So Rankala Lake is best and historic place to visit in the Kolhapur city.

 

                So these are the top 5 places to visit in Kolhapur. Like these, there are some other historic and religious places to visit in Kolhapur. Those are mentioned above. 

In the next blog we will discuss about tourism in Kerala.