26 Best Historical Places & Heritage sites near Kolhapur

At a distance of 5 km from Ulhasnagar Railway Station, 37 km from Matheran, and 59 km from Mumbai Central, Ambarnath Shiv Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated on the banks of Waldhuni River in Ambarnath. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra, and among the most popular places of sightseeing in Matheran.

This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a popular religious shrine of the region that can be visited during your Matheran Tour. The temple is believed to be constructed in 1060 AD by King Mahamandaleshwar as a tribute to his ancestors. The temple is carved out of stone in the Hemadpanthi architectural style of construction and is known for its resemblance with the famous Dilwara Temples of Mount Abu in Rajasthan.

The temple is built with black basalt stone. The main attraction of this shrine is the marvelous architectural designs carved on the walls and ceilings that grab the attention of the visitors. The beautiful images of Lord Shiva in different moods, including his renowned dancing pose, adorn the ceilings and pillars. To reach the Garbhagriha, one has to descend 20 steps. There is a Swayambhu (self-manifested) linga enshrined under the open sky in the inner sanctum. A statue of Nandi Bull is located at the center of the main porch of the ...

At a distance of 40 km from Matheran, 19 km from Karjat, 66 km from Mumbai & 115 km from Pune, Irshalgad is a fortress located between Matheran and Panvel in Maharashtra. It is a twin fort to Prabalgad and among ideal weekend getaways near Mumbai. The area of the fort is not large but there are several water tanks cut from the rock.

Irshalgad pinnacle is accessible by an easy to moderate 3 km trek and it takes about 1.5 hours. The trek starts from Karja village which is about 11 km from Karjat Railway Station. From Karja village one can follow a well-defined path till Irshalwadi village. The path from Karja passes through a steep ridge and then tapers to an easy ascend till Irshalwadi. From the village one has to walk straight up to a small temple dedicated to a local deity. Take left from the temple, standing at this point one can see the Irshalgad peak on the right side. However one has to traverse from left to reach the base of the pinnacle.

There is a water tank on the route from the Irshal plateau to the peak. From there, visitors will reach the needle hole near the top through a simple rock-climbing route. To reach the top of the pinnacle, it is essential to have rock climbing equipment. From the top one can see the forts of Prabalgad, Matheran, Chanderi, Malang gad, Karnala and Manikgad.

At a distance of 40 km from Sangli, and 61 km from Kolhapur, Sri Kopeshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Khidrapur village in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Located at the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, it is one of the ancient temples in Maharashtra, and among popular places to visit near Kolhapur.

Built on the banks of River Krishna, Kopeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is one of the must include places in Kolhapur tour. According to archaeologists, the construction of the temple began by Badami Chalukyas in the 7th century AD and remained incomplete for a long time. It was patronized by the Shilahara Kings during the 12th century. Lord Shiva has worshiped here in the form of a Shivalinga as well as a sculpture of his fierce form, Veerbhadra. Legend has it that Lord Shiva got angry when Sati sacrificed herself and he was then brought to this temple by Lord Vishnu. This is how the temple got its name as Kopeshwar which means furious god.

Kopeshwar Temple is a magnificent piece of intricate Chalukyan architecture. Built with basalt stone, the entire temple is divided into four parts Swarga Mandap, Sabha Mandapa, Antarala, and Garbhagriha / Sanctum Sanctorum. The Swarg Mandap of the temple is unique and stunning. The mandap is supported ...

Distance from Kolhapur: 60 Kms

At a distance of 80 km from Kolhapur, and 89 km from Ratnagiri, Vishalgad Fort is an ancient fort situated at Vishalgad village in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is one of the historical forts in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Kolhapur.

Also called Khelna or Khilna by the locals, Vishalgad Fort was one of the important forts of the Maratha empire. According to history, Vishalgad Fort was built in the year 1058 by Shilahara king Marsinh and was initially known as Khilgil. In 1209, the then king of Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri defeated Shilaharas and captured the fort. In 1309, Allauddin Khilji defeated King Ramchandra of the Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri and soon the fort was attached to the Khilji dynasty. Later, the fort was under the rule of the Vijayanagar Empire, and then the Adishlahi dynasty. In 1659, Shivaji captured the fort from Adilshah and renamed the fort 'Vishalgad' which means grand or giant fort.

In July 1660, the fort witnessed Shivaji's escape from the Adilshahi blockade around Fort Panhala and the Battle of Pawan Khind. After Shivaji's death, Chhatrapati Sambhaji would spend most of his time on the fort. He took initiative in the renovation and reconstruction of some parts of the fortresses and gates of the fort. During the times of the Maratha Empire, Vishalgad was made the capital of a large region consisting of ninety towns and villages in Kolhapur and Ratnagiri districts. In 1844, as a result of mutiny by the Killedars, ...

Distance from Kolhapur: 81 Kms

At a distance of 22 km from Kolhapur, Panhala Fort is an ancient fort situated at Panhala town in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. Also known as Panhalgad, it is one of the historical forts in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Kolhapur.

Panhala Fort is strategically located looking over a pass in the Sahyadri mountain range which was a major trade route from Bijapur in the interior of Maharashtra to the coastal areas. Due to its strategic location, it was the center of several battles in the Deccan involving the Marathas, the Mughals, and the British East India Company, the most notable being the Battle of Pawan Khind. It is also called the 'Fort of Snakes' as it is zigzagged in shape.

Built between 1178 and 1209 CE, Panhala Fort was one of the 15 forts built by the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II. A copper plate found in Satara shows that Raja Bhoja held court at Panhala from 1191-1192 CE. It was successively held by the Yadava and Bahamani Kings. In 1489 AD, the fort and the territory were taken over by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. Shivaji seized the fort in 1659 AD. In July 1660, Shivaji escaped from the Adilshahi blockade around Fort Panhala and the Battle of Pawan Khind. The fort went to Adil Shah, and it was only later, in 1673, that Shivaji occupied the fort once again, stationing 15,000 horses and 20,000 soldiers here. Panhala would be the second-most important fort in the Maratha empire after the capital, Raigad.

After the death ...

Distance from Kolhapur: 23 Kms

At a distance of 42 km from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Kanheri caves are located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park to the north of Borivali in the outskirts of North Mumbai in Maharashtra. These Caves are considered one of the top tourist places in Mumbai.

The name of these caves has originated from the Sanskrit word Krishnagiri, meaning black. These are the must-include places in Mumbai tour packages, especially for history buff.The Kanheri Caves constitute a group of rock-cut monuments chiseled out of a massive basaltic rock. The caves demonstrate the Buddhist influence on the art and culture of India. These caves were formed between the 1st century BC and 10th century AD, with the earliest rocks comprising 109 tiny rock-cut cells. Most caves were named Buddhist Viharas in ancient times and were meant for living, study, and meditation. The site also served as a university during the rule of Kushanas and Mauryas.

Kanheri caves are divided into three different caves, each of which has a stone plinth for a bed. The caves have chaityagrihas with rock-cut stupas where Buddhists worshipped. There are single and multiple celled viharas or monasteries that were abode to Buddhist monks. The caves also had podhis or water cisterns which were dug skillfully to trap rainwater for use during summers.

The initial caves are small ...

At a distance of 8 km from Khireshwar, 15 km from Malshej Ghat, 50 km from Bhandardara, 166 km from Pune & 218 km from Mumbai, Harishchandragad is a historical hill fort situated in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra, and among the famous places to visit as part of Malshej Ghat packages.

Situated at an altitude of 1,424 m, the fort once played a major role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region. Among the most prominent tourist places in Malshej Ghat, the fort originally dates back to the 6th century during the rule of the Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era and various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century AD. Sage Changdev used to meditate here in the 14th century AD. Later the fort was under the control of Mughals and Marathas captured it in 1747 AD. Remnants of Microlithic human inhabitants have been discovered here. The fort of Harishchandragad has been mentioned in various Puranas like Matsya Purana, Agni Purana, and Skanda Purana.

Rohidas, Taramati, and Harishchandra are the three peaks in Harishchandragad. Taramati peak is the highest peak in the fort and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the nearby surroundings and the forest area. Many peaks and attractions ...

At a distance of 48 km from Malshej Ghat, Ajoba or Ajaparvat is one of the highest peaks in the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Situated near Dehene village, it is one of the popular places of trekking near Mumbi and among the best places to visit as part of Malshej Ghat Packages for adventure enthusiasts.

Standing at a height of over 4,511 feet, Ajoba Hill is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats. Midway to the fort lies Valmiki Ashram which is believed to be the place where Valmiki wrote the epic 'Ramayana'. According to the legend, this is the place where Goddess Sita was said to be staying after being separated from Lord Rama. Carvings on the Ashram wall depict stories of Gods and Goddesses. The fort was named 'Ajobagad' after the great sage Valmiki who was called 'Ajoba' or grandfather by Luv and Kush.

Nestled amidst thick greenery, the Ajoba Hill Fort is a delight for trekkers as it presents an exciting trail to the top. People interested in rock climbing also come here to feel the adrenaline rush. The trek to the Ajoba hill starts from the Dehene Village. The trek is in two halves where the first half is till the Valmiki Ashram which is a leisure walk through the sacred forest with rich flora and fauna. There are some carved stones and a small hut near the ashram where one can stay. A little downhill from the Ashram lies a mountain stream carrying clear potable water. While, the second half of the trek is to Luv Kush Cave from Nalichi ...

At a distance of 13 km from Malshej Ghat, Sindola or Shindola Fort is a small hill fort situated on top of Malshej Ghat Plateau. It is one of the wonderful places of trekking near Pune and among the famous places to visit in Malshej Ghat.

Situated at an altitude of 1128 feet, Sindola mountain is distinct by its pinnacle structure visible from anywhere. Sindola is more of a sort of military base as it offers a whole view of Malshej and the Pargaon region and all of its neighboring forts. Sindola dates back very old at similar times of Nimgiri and Hadsar. Sindola fort is a small fort. Ruins of bastions & only a couple of water cisterns and idols of Ganesh are present on the top.

Sindola is one of the popular trekking places in Malshej Ghat and is a one day trek. There are 3 base villages from where one can start the trek to Sindola Fort. The trek that starts from Karanjale village, is one of the best and popular routes. Bagadwadi at Pargaon is the other starting point of Sindola Fort trek. Karanjale is situated on Kaylan-Malshej-Alephata Highway in between Khubi phata & Velkhind. It is about 2 km from Malshej Ghat Bus Stop at Khubi Phata. The route starts from the fields opposite the signboard of Karanjale village. The 2.5 km trek route is pretty straight forward and easy to moderate climb (monsoon). The route is not marked but is quite distinct as one has to go up and reach Sindola plateau, the start point of the ridge. Climb to the ridge can be started from any ...

At a distance of 2 km from Naneghat and 32 km from Malshej Ghat, Jivdhan Fort is a hill fortress located near Malshej in Maharashtra. Situated near Naneghat, it is one of the historical forts in Malshej Ghat and among the popular trekking places near Pune.
Situated at a height of about 3,757 feet in the Sahyadri Mountain range, Jivdhan Fort is a part of the 'Famous 5' forts near Pune. The other four being the Chavaand, Hadsar, Shivneri, and Naneghat. As per the history, Jivdhan Fort dates back to the Satavahana era and has been a significant fort throughout history due to its proximity to the historic Naneghat. Jivdhan Fort guarded this route, which was a strategic location for many kingdoms. The Mughals imprisoned Murtaza, the last ruler of Adilshahi of Ahmednagar, at Jivdhan Fort. In 1635 Shahaji Bhosle, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj freed him from the prison and declared him the king of Ahmednagar. The fort was sacked and plundered by the British upon siege between 1815 and 1818.

Although the fortifications have crumbled down, one can see a huge storehouse or Kothi, which has was used to store grains. Besides the storehouse, there are several interesting ruins and remnants, including a few water cisterns and a temple dedicated to Goddess Jivai, who is supposed to be the patron deity of the fort. The fort's Northern bastion is in a pretty good condition even today. One can also see a few cisterns and remnants of old buildings near this bastion. From this ...

At a distance of 73 km from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Vasai Fort, also known as the Bassein Fort, is an ancient fort located at Vasai in the suburbs of North Mumbai. The fort, overlooks the confluence of the Ulhas River, is one of the top places to visit in Mumbai.

Vasai was known as a place for ship building in the 15th Century. Bahadur Shah, a Mughal Emperor had built the Bassein Fort in the 1530s. The fort covers an area of around 110 acre. The Portuguese conquered and destroyed most of the fort a year after it was built. The Portuguese remodeled the fort into a flourishing city by building a citadel inside. The fort was under the Portuguese control till 1739 AD. In the 18th century, the fort was raided and overtaken by the Maratha army under Chimaji Appa. They stood strong for 3 long years, and then the British took over the fort in the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Once a strategic place on the Western coast of India, this fort has now mostly turned into ruins. Despite the fort is so old and in the condition of ageing, there are many remains, which are still livens the wonderful architecture of the olden days. Three chapels inside the fort are in the condition, which can be easily recognized. The southernmost chapel has a well-preserved barrel vaulted ceiling and the walls are covered with tree roots and palm groves. Many of the watchtowers still stand so strong, with secure staircases. Surrounded by sea on the three sides, it is a favourite location of ...

At a distance of 30 km from Nashik, Sinnar is a town and a municipal council in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district in Maharashtra. Sinnar is mainly famous for Sri Gondeshwar Temple and Gargoti Museum. It is one of the famous places to visit near Aurangabad.

Gondeshwar Temple is situated about 2 km from Sinnar Bus Station and it represents the best example of the Hemadpanti style of architecture. The structure was constructed using the locally available black basalt stone and lime. The temple's origin dates back to 12 - 13th century during the Yadava dynasty. Some sources claim that Raj Govinda of the Yadava dynasty built this great temple. Yet another tradition assigns the building to Govindaraja, another Yadava king who ruled about the beginning of the twelfth century AD.

It is a Shaiva Panchayatan or a group of five temples within a large enclosure. The central shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the remaining four temples are dedicated to goddess Parvati, Sri Ganapathi, Surya Bhagwan, and Lord Vishnu. This is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved example of the medieval temples of the Deccan of the Indo-Aryan style.

The temple is an astonishing display of stone carvings and sculptures portraying the stories from the Puranas, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Sculptures of Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and Gandharvas adorn the entire complex. The temple of Lord Shiva is beautifully ...

At a distance of 19 km from Ganpatipule and 42 km from Ratnagiri, Jaigad Fort is coastal fortification that is located near Jaigad village in Maharashtra. It is one of the popular forts in Konkan region and also one of the top tourist places near Pune for history lovers. It is a protected monument under Archeological Survey of India.

Jaigad Fort is one of the prime places to include in Ganpatipule tour The meeting point of the river Shashtri and Arabian Sea is called as the creek of Jaigad. For the protection of this creek two forts were constructed, one is Vijaygad at the north direction and the other is Jaigad at south. Situated on a cliff, Jaigad has a commanding view of the bay and the open sea. A jetty port and a lighthouse are located nearby.

It is believed that the construction of Jaigad was initiated in 14th century and completed by Sultan of Bijapur and was named after Jayba Mahar's sacrificing his life for building the fort. It was conquered by Kanhoji Angre, the commander-in-chief during Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja's regime. Shivaji also controlled the fort for some time before handing it over to the Peshwas who finally lost the fort to the British in the year 1818.

Although in ruins, most of the fort's outer wall and ramparts still intact. Spread across an expanse of 4 acres, the fort is surrounded by a moat and strong bastions ...

Distance from Kolhapur: 166 Kms

At a distance of 10 km from Ganeshgule and 24 km from Ratnagiri, Purnagad Fort is an ancient sea fort situated at Purnagad village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular forts of Konkan and also one of the best places to visit in Ratnagiri.

Purnagad Fort is situated on a mountain which is at the confluence of Muchkundi creek and the Arabian Sea. It is believed that the fort of Purnagad was constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, but some evidences suggested that it was constructed by Sakhoji Aangre, son of Kanhoji Angre.

Spread over an area of 22 acres, Purnagad Fort has two entrance gates, one facing east and the other facing west. The main entrance door is a very robust structure between the two bastions. There is a Hanuman shrine and a well at the entrance. Pictures of Moon, Sun and Lord Ganesh are carved onto the main entrance door. Vestibules of security guards are present on the either sides of the main entrance door. There are stair cases from four sides to reach the top of the fort.

Although covered in thick vegetation and overgrown trees, this small fort is in good condition. The main entrance door and its buruj, boundary wall are still in good condition. The fort is located very close to the village Purnagad and it is a ten minutes' walk. One can get a captivating view of the Arabian Sea, Muchkundi creek and surrounding places from the top of the fort.

Distance from Kolhapur: 145 Kms

At a distance of 29 km from Devgad, 73 km from Malvan and 100 km from Ratnagiri, Vijaydurg Fort is an ancient fort situated on a hill near the mouth of the Vaghotan River in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. It is one of the largest forts on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra and also one of the top places to visit in Ratnagiri. It is a protected monument under ASI.

Vijaydurg Fort is located at the tip of the peninsular region of Vijaydurg in Devgad Taluka. It was earlier known as Gheria because of its proximity to the village Girye and functioned as a strong military base for Admiral Kanhoji Angre. The fort is also known as the 'Gibraltar of the East' since it was so impregnable, surrounded by the Arabian Sea from three sides.

The original fort was built by Bhojraja Shilahar between 1196 and 1206 AD. The Maratha king Shivaji took control of this fort from Adil Shahi dynasty in 1656 AD and renamed it as Vijay Durg. Thereafter the fort was the main Maratha naval base under Kanoji Angre. The fort was attacked in 1717, 1720 and 1724 AD by the British, Portuguese and Dutch - but could not be conquered. The fort was under the control of British and Peshwas in 1756 AD and remained with the Peshwas till 1818 AD. In 1818 Vijaydurg was totally fell into the hands of the British Empire.

The earlier fort encompassed an area of 5 acres and was surrounded by sea on all the 4 sides. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by Arabian Sea on three sides. ...

Distance from Kolhapur: 144 Kms

At a distance of 5 km from Revdanda, 12 km from Kashid Beach, and 22 km from Alibaug, Korlai Fort is a Portuguese fort situated at Korlai in Raigad district of Maharashtra. It is one of the best places of sightseeing in Alibag and also one of the popular historical places near Mumbai.

Korlai Fort, also called Morro or Castle Curlew, was built by the Portuguese in 1521AD under the permission of Sultanate of Ahmednagar. It was built on Morro de Chaul Island which secures the way to the Revdanda Creek. It was meant as a companion to the fort at Chaul. The Portuguese built this fort as a strategic decision to defend their rule from Bassein to Korlai.

In 1521 AD, taking advantage of the confusion in the aftermath of the death of the Burhan Nizam the Portuguese tried to take over the fort but the Ahmednagar sultanate occupied the island. However in 1594, the Portuguese won the fort but not having enough men to stand guard there chose to destroy it leaving only the central tower and a battery intact. The fort was taken by the Marathas who held it from 1739 - 1818 CE.

A huge and tall fortification surrounds the entire fort area, which is of a length of 2828 feet and width of 8 feet. There are 11 large gates, of which four are outside and the remaining 7 are inside. All the gates exhibit the ancient Portuguese inscriptions. The area within the fort walls is divided into three enclosures by two lines of bastioned fortifications. The outside fortification has 305 parapets ...