DAY 1 : TRAVEL TO KOLHAPUR & SIGHTSEEING
Pilgrimage
Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: 5 AM - 10 PM, Aarti : 5.30 AM Kakad Arati, 6.30 PM Dhoop Arati, 8 PM Main Arati, 10 PM Shejarati
Entry Fee: Free
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.
The .....
Museum & Gallery
Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 10.30 AM - 1 PM & 1.30 PM - 5.30 PM, Closed on Monday
Entry Fee: Rs. 10 for Adults & Rs. 5 for Children
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 .....
Museum & Gallery
Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 9 AM - 1 PM & 2.30 PM - 6 PM, Closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: Rs. 40 for Adults, & Rs. 20 for Children
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 .....
Lake & Backwaters
Duration of visit: 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Timings: 6 AM - 10 PM
Entry Fee: Free
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 .....
DAY 2 : TRAVEL TO RATNAGIRI & SIGHTSEEING
Historical & Heritage
Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM & 1.30 PM to 5.30 PM. Closed on Monday.
Entry Fee: Rs. 20 per person
At a distance of 2 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Thibaw Palace is a historical building situated on a small hillock in Ratnagiri Town of Maharashtra. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Ratnagiri.
Thiba Palace is an architectural grandeur that was created for King Thibaw of Myanmar (Burma) who was in exile here. It is said that the Palace was built by the British in 1910 to keep the king of Burma under house arrest. The palace came into use from 1910 up to the king's death on 16th December 1916.
The palace is a beautifully constructed three storied structure with sloping roofs. Semi-circular wooden windows with beautiful carvings are the main attraction of this structure. There is a dancing hall with marble floor on the first floor. One Buddha idol is installed at the back side of the palace. This idol was brought to India by king Thibaw. Presently the palace is maintained by ASI and it is currently under renovation. There is also a museum in the palace which displays .....
Museum & Gallery
Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: Rs.5 for Adults & Rs. 3 for Child
At a distance of 2.5 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Marine Aquarium and Museum is located on Ratnagiri - Bhagwati Mandir Road next to Mandavi Beach in Ratnagiri Town.
The Marine Museum was established in 1985 by the Marine Biological Research Station of Ratnagiri. The Marine museum has some rare and beautiful specimens like Sea horse fish, Lion fish, Trigger fish, Sea turtles, Eels, Sea cucumbers, Star fish, Lobsters, sea snakes and many more. This museum also possess well mounted precious and age-old skeleton of Whale. The original length of the whale being 55 feet long and 5000 Kg in weight is strongly appreciated by everyone who visits this station.
Taking into consideration the growing demand of general public about aquarium, a beautifully arranged and well decorated separate freshwater aquarium section has been recently developed. In this section, along with beautiful and fancy colour fishes, one can also observe locally available freshwater aquatic species like prawns, .....
Historical & Heritage
Duration of visit: 1-2 Hours
Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM, Lighthouse: 4 PM to 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry
At a distance of 4 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Ratnadurg Fort is a historical fort situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea in Ratnagiri. It is one of the popular forts in Maharashtra, and among the top Ratnagiri places to visit.
The fort of Ratnadurg was constructed during the rule of Bahamani Sultans. It was captured by Adilshah and then Chhatrapati Shivaji conquered the fort in the year 1670 AD. Later, the fort was controlled by Kanhoji Angre, and later handed over to Peshwas. The British captured the fort from the Peshwas in the year 1818 AD. It is among the must-visit places during your Ratnagiri trip.
Spread over a vast area of 120 acres, Ratnadurg Fort was once a stronghold of the Maratha Empire. The fort was used as a watchpoint for keeping vigil on the pirates. Ratnadurg Fort is .....
Beach
Duration of visit: 30 Mins - 1 Hr
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry
At a distance of 3 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand, Bhatye Beach is a marvelous beach situated at Bhatye in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Situated along the Konkan coast, it is one of the popular beaches that can be visited as part of Ratnagiri packages.
Bhatye Beach is a wonderful beach in the background of the jagged Sahyadri mountain ranges provides a panoramic view of the surroundings. The length of the beach is approximately 1.5 km and is very flat and straight. Bhatye Beach and Mandvi Beach are next to each other separated by a creek. One can enjoy nature at its best here. With the bluish water, a vast expansion of silvery sands, and the clean environs sprinkled with casuarina trees, Bhatye Beach is one of the best tourist places in Ratnagiri to admire the mesmerizing sunset.
The Ratnagiri Lighthouse and the famous Mandavi Beach .....
DAY 3 : RATNAGIRI SIGHTSEEING & TRAVEL TO MUMBAI
Museum & Gallery
Duration of visit: 30 Mins
Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry
At a distance of 1 km from Ratnagiri Bus Stand and 3.5 km from Ratnadurg Fort, Lokmanya Tilak Birthplace is located in Ratnagiri Town of Maharashtra. The Museum is a monument of great historical importance and also one of the top places to visit in Ratnagiri.
Tilak Ali Museum is the ancestral house of Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak, a prominent freedom fighter of India. He was born in Konkan region and this museum depicts his life and sacrifice for Indian freedom. The house is a classic example of native Konkani architecture and it has been turned into a museum by the state government in order to preserve the memory of the great freedom fighter.
The Tilak Ali Museum depicts the life of Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak and his struggle for Indian Independence through paintings and pictures. The museum had a collection of personal belonging of the great leader. Visitors can also watch here lot of photographs related to the various freedom fighters. This museum is maintained by the .....
Pilgrimage
Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry
At a distance of 6 km from Ganeshgule and 17 km from Ratnagiri, Pawas is a quaint village situated in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Pawas is an important pilgrim center owing to Sri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi Mandir which is visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Pawas is a serene place known for its natural beauty. Pawas came into the limelight after it was chosen by Swami Swaroopanad for his ashram. The Samadhi Mandir was constructed in the memory of Sri Swami Swarupanand who took Samadhi here on 15th August 1974. Swami was born on December 15, 1903 at Pawas to the couple Vishnupant and Rakhmabai Godbole. His original name was Ramchandra, but he came to be affectionately addressed as Bhau or Appa. At the age of 20, Swami took initiation from Sadguru Babamaharaj Vaidya of Pune and from that onwards he had begun his spiritual journey. Returning to Pawas, he undertook religious austerity and focused his mind on a deep study of Dnyaneshwari, Bhagvad Geeta and Dasbodh. Swami .....
Historical & Heritage
Duration of visit: 1 Hour
Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM
Entry Fee: Free Entry
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 .....