BEST OF KOLHAPUR (FROM MUMBAI)

At a distance of 2.5 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, Sri Mahalakshmi Temple is a prominent Hindu temple situated in the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in India, and among the must include places in Kolhapur Tour Packages.

Sri Mahalakshmi Temple is dedicated to the goddess of wealth, Sri Mahalakshmi, also known as Goddess Ambabai, the guardian deity of Kolhapur who killed demon Kolhasura. Also known as Dakshin Kashi, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple is one of the six abodes of 'Shakti' (Goddess of Power) from where one can attain fulfillment and salvation of desires. The temple was built in the 7th century by Chalukya ruler Karandev. King Gandaraditya of the Shilahara dynasty, built the circumambulation path along with two sanctum sanctorums for Goddess Mahakali and Mahasaraswati in the 11th century CE. It is one of the prominent places to visit in Kolhapur.

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At a distance of 2.5 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, Bhavani Mandap is a historical building nestled inside the walled city of Kolhapur. Located near the famous Mahalaxmi Temple, it is one of the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit in Kolhapur.

Bhavani Mandap is one of the biggest and oldest structures in Kolhapur. It was built during the period 1785 to 1800 by then the ruler of Kolhapur, Shivaji Maharaj II. It was constructed according to the architectural style of the British Empire with 14 squares. In about 1813, the Muslim ruler Saadat Khan invaded the palace and a part of it was burnt. After repair, 7 squares survived. Bhavani Mandap used to be the court and palace of Chhatrapati Maharaja in the yesteryears. The king conducted important meetings, litigations, and celebrations inside this building. The place also had living quarters for many of its court officials. As per history, Bhavani Mandap is the very place where Shambhu alias Abasaheb .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, Sri Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at Shivaji Peth locality of Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Situated near Sri Mahalakshmi Ambabai Temple, it is one of the revered temples in Kolhapur, and among the must-visit places during your Kolhapur Trip.

Situated at the Sawarkar Marg, Binkhambi Ganesh Mandir is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. It is believed that the idol of Lord Ganesha enshrined in the temple was discovered while repairing a well. Built-in the year 1882, the temple got its name Binkhambi meaning no pillar as the sanctum sanctorum of the temple has been built without the use of any pillar. Further, it is also believed that the idol was much older than the time of its actual establishment in the temple. The exterior of the temple is adorned with stone carved tortoise along with many other carved structures.

Popular as Joshirao Ganapati Temple among locals, it is thronged by numerous archaeological students .....

At a distance of 1 km from Mahalakshmi Ambabai Temple, and 2 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, Town Hall Museum is a museum situated at Shaniwar Peth, Kolhapur. It is one of the interesting places to visit in Kolhapur.

The Town Hall Museum is situated in a heritage building with elements of neo-Gothic architecture. The building served as an administrative office during the British period and later became home to the diwan of the local monarch, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The structure was built along with a bandstand during 1872-76 under the supervision of a British engineer, Charles Mant, and required an investment of 80,000 from the royal treasury. The museum was inaugurated in the year 1945.

The museum was established to preserve the items obtained from excavations at the Brahmapuri Hills in the 1940s that belonged to the Satavahana, and Shilahara-Bahmani periods. Later paintings of renowned local artists were added to the collection in 1953. The collection of the museum .....

At a distance of 2 km from Sri Mahalakshmi Ambabai Temple, and 4 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, Rankala Lake is a picturesque lake in Kolhapur. Marked by the natural beauty and serene environment, make it one of the must-visit places as part of Kolhapur Tour Packages.

The Rankala Lake was constructed by late Maharajah, Shri Shahu Chhatrapati. It is believed to be linked directly to a well in Panhala Fort which Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have crossed.

The lake has a circumference of 4.5 miles and a depth of 35 ft. The water of the lake is used mainly for irrigation, and the water is let through a sluice gate in the bound. This gate was operated from a minor type of beautiful structure called 'Rankala Tower'. Near the tower is the Rajghat, a flight of board steps leading to the water. On the northern bank of the lake stands the regal Shalini Palace and on the eastern side & slightly in the lake stands the 'Sandhya-Math'. It is a structure of stone columns .....

At a distance of 2.5 km from Kolhapur Railway Station, and 3 km from Sri Mahalakshmi Ambabai Temple, New Palace Museum is a heritage museum located on Kasaba Bawada Road in Kolhapur. Also known as Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum, it is one of the popular museums in Maharashtra, and among must-visit tourist places in Kolhapur.

The New Palace was constructed in 1877-84 and has been the residence of Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj. It is one of the most famous places to visit as part of Kolhapur packages. The beautiful palace is built in black polished stone and is a marvelous architectural feat. The whole building is eight-angled and has a tower in the middle. The principal south facade presents a double-storeyed range, with Neo-Mughal lobed arches beneath and temple-like columns and brackets above. This scheme is interrupted by trefoil arches capped with curving .....

At a distance of 20 km from Kolhapur, Jyotiba Temple is a sacred Hindu temple situated near Wadi Ratnagiri in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is one of the revered places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Kolhapur.

Standing 3124 feet above sea level, the glorious temple of Jyotiba is dedicated to Lord Jyotiba, who was believed to be an embodiment of three different deities Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwar. According to mythology, Jotiba helped Mahalaxmi in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain. It is believed that this temple should be visited after visiting the Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur.

The Jyotiba temple was made in three different stages. The original temple was established by Navji Saya while the main temple that stands today was built by Ranoji Shinde in 1730 in its place. It is 55 feet in length, 37 feet in width, and 77 feet in height. The second temple of Kedareshwar was constructed by Daulatrao .....

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, .....