Kolhapur

Kolhapur, located in Maharashtra’s lush Western Ghats, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and distinctive cuisine. The city is famous for the Mahalakshmi Temple, a major pilgrimage site with exquisite architecture. Kolhapur is also celebrated for its spicy local cuisine, including the renowned Kolhapuri Misal and various meat dishes.Shoppers can explore vibrant markets offering traditional Kolhapuri chappals, jewelry, and textiles. Historical enthusiasts will enjoy the New Palace Museum, which provides insights into the region’s royal heritage. Natural attractions like Panhala Fort and Rankala Lake offer scenic spots for relaxation. Kolhapur’s mix of spiritual significance, culinary richness, and historical charm makes it a fascinating destination for visitors.

Travel Essentials

Here are the travel essentials one should know

Weather

29 - 41°C

Ideal Duration

1 day

Best Time

November to February

Planning a Trip?

Know how to reach

Top Attractions

Discover the beauty and culture of Maharashtra through our curated experiences

Shree Mahalaxmi Temple

Important Pilgrimage Site Built in circa 700 AD, this popular Hindu shrine is one of India's Shakti Peeths (temples dedicated to Goddess Sati) and gets its name from the presiding deity Mahalakshmi, a consort of Vishnu

Shree Jotiba Temple

A Holy Hindu Shrine Located 18 kms away from Kolhapur atop a 3,124 feet high hill, the Joytiba Temple is actually a complex of shrines and is a popular destination among tourists and pilgrims.

Bhawani Mandap

Among the City's Most Important TemplesLocated near the famous MahalakshmiTemple, the Bhavani Mandap is a historical and religiously significant building with a temple dedicated to the goddess Tulja Bhavani.

Rankala Lake

A Serene Spot Actually a stone quarry, this naturally formed lake was created due to flooding by underground water when an earthquake struck the area in 9th century AD.

Ch. Shivaji University

Shivaji University, established in 1962, is a state university located at Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. The university, with a campus spread over 853 acres (345 ha), is named in honour of Shivaji I, who reigned as the first Maratha Chhatrapati from 1674 to 1680.

New Shalini Palace

Shalini Palace[1] ( Shaalini ) in the city of Kolhapur in the Indian state of Maharashtra was built in 1931 34 at a cost of Rs. 800,000 and was named after Princess Shalini (Shaalini) Raje of Kolhapur. The Palace stands on the west bank of the picturesque Lake Rankala (which has a circumference of 2.5 miles (4.0 km)) and is surrounded by towering palm trees, lush greenery and lovely gardens.

Shree Gagangiri Maharaj

Swami Gagangiri Maharaj was an Indian Hindu saint and Guru of the Nath Sampradaya.[1] He is one of the most influential Hathayogis of modern India. Gagangiri Maharaj was particularly known for his water penance and intense meditation practices.

Kaneri Math Devgiri

Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum (Kaneri Math) at Kaneri, Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, is a sculpture museum. The full name is Siddhagiri Gramjivan (Village life) Museum. It is situated at Shri Kshetra Siddhagiri Math, a campus built around the Moola- Kaadsiddheswar Shiva temple.

Panhalagad Fort

Panhala fort (also known as Panhalgad and Panhalla (literally "the home of serpents") is located in Panhala, 20 kilometres northwest of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India. It 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.

Radhanagari Damb

Radhanagari Dam, is a gravity dam on Bhogawati river near Radhanagari in the state of Maharashtra in India. Construction was initiated by visionary Rajarshi

New Shahu Palace

New Shahu Palace, located in the city of Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India, is a prominent historic landmark. Built in the early 20th century, this palace is an architectural marvel reflecting a blend of traditional Maratha and modern styles. It serves as a residence for the Chhatrapati family, descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The palace features elegant design elements, lush gardens, and serves as a key example of the region's royal heritage. It is a significant cultural and historical site in Kolhapur.

How to Reach

By Air

Kolhapur Airport is 5km from center of the city. Lohegaon Airport (Pune): 250 km away, approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes by bus or taxi.Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai): 380 km away, around six and a half hours by road.Belgaum Airport (Karnataka): 125 km from Kolhapur. Note: A new airport in Kolhapur is under development but not yet operational.

By Train

Kolhapur terminal station connects directly to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Nagpur, Solapur, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Tirupati.Miraj Junction, 50 km away, serves as a secondary hub for additional connections.

By Road

Extensive MSRTC bus services link Kolhapur with Mumbai, Pune (north); Sangli, Solapur (east); Belgaum, Bangalore (south); and Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg (west).