Kolhapur is a beautiful city, situated in the south west corner of Maharashtra, India. The population of Kolhapur is around 419,000. The main languages are Marathi, Hindi, and English. It is popular for its Mahalaksmi temple. It is situated on the banks of the river Panchganga. Many hills and forts like Panhala fort and Jothiba temple hill surround the city. The city is also famous for training wrestlers. There is national stadium for a form of wrestling known as Khasbag. It is also famous for making leather footware, popularly known as Kolhapuri Chappals and sugar products.

History

During the British Raj, Kolhapur was ruled by a Maharaja, who was the local ruler of an important princely state, under the political control of Bombay state. Kolhapur state, together with its jagirs or feudatories, covered an area of 3165 square miles (8,200 km²).

The Maharajas of Kolhapur trace their descent from Rajaram, a

Culture

Kolhapur is a very ancient city famous for its food, headwear, footwear, jewellery, wrestling etc.It is said that it was founded by Daitya(Demon)KOLHASUR (FOX DEMON), who then was troubling people, so Deity MAHALAXMI came to rescue, and killed him. However honouring the dying demon's last wish, the city was named after him. Hence the name KOLHAPUR.It is said that no one can count pillars of the MAHALAXMI temple; anyone who tries, calls himself death.The city mostly has Maratha community(Name of a caste) situated, thus surnames like PATIL,SHINDE are pretty common, but there are other communities in strong number too like Bramhins.Using polemical words is pretty common even while talking in general or with friends such as "Randya" etc. More such words are used between friends, closer is their friendship :-).Having Money due to cash crops such as CANE, cotton and industry, people are pretty spendthrift,you can spot ANY new car launched in India within a day or two on roads of Kolhapur.This city has got 65 MERCEDES BENZ a count highest than rest of Maharashtra(except Mumbai).

Places of interest in and around Kolhapur

1. Rankala Lake OR
2. Panhala Fort OR
3. Mahalakshmi Temple OR
4. Bhavani Mandap
5. Jyotiba Temple OR
6. Maharaja's Palace
7. Town hall Museum
8. Dajipur
9. Gaganbawada. Excellent
   
   
   
   place for waterfalls and greenery.
10. Temblai Hill
11. New Palace & Museum
12. Panchaganga Ghat
13. Vishal Gadh
14. Ramling
15. Bahubali
16. Nrisinha Wadi
17. Khidrapur Temples
18. Katyayani Mandir
19. Amboli Ghat

Entertainment

1. Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagriha
2. Shahu Smarak Bhavan
3. Usha Movie Theatre
4. Prabhat Movie Theatre
5. Venus Movie Theatre
6. Ayodhya Movie Theatre
7. Royal Movie Theatre
8. Uma Movie Theatre
9. Parvati Multiplex
10. Sangam Movie Theatre
11. Shahu Movie Theatre
12. Padma Movie Theatre
13. Apsara Movie Theatre
14. Basant Movie Theatre
15. Bahar Movie Theatre

Shopping

• Lucky Bazar (Mall)

Apart from these malls, the main shopping district of the city is located on Mahadwar Road near the Mahalaxmi Temple.

Transportation

Local transportation includes Auto-Rickshaws, KMT (Local Municipal Bus Service).Roads are though are hell with pot holes all over,very few roads are good.Traffic is less than other cities, with very few signals.The Kolhapur Train Station has daily train service to Mumbai via Pune.Also there is train from Kolhaur to Tirupati everyday named HARIPRIYA EXPRESS.City has an airport,and there is flight daily from MUMBAI to KOLHAPUR.State transport to major cities like PUNE,MUMBAI,NASHIK is also avaible for each half hour from Central Bus Stand.Also privates buses runs from Kolhapur to Puneevery night with very affordable rates.

Climate

The climate is relatively cool thanks to the city's elevation.

Cuisine

1. Kolhapuri Chicken/Mutton- renowned for its extreme spice!
   
2. Kolhapur Misal(world famous)
3. Pandhara Rassa (Unique)
4. Rajabhau Bhel
5. Panipuri, shevpuri
6. Rajasthani papads
7. Ice-cream
8. Chat and related food
9. PavBhaji
10. Wada Pav
11. Kat wada
12. Kacchi Dabeli

Educational Institutes

University

• Shivaji University

Engineering Colleges

• Government College of Engineering, Kolhapur
• Kolhapur Institute of Technology , Kolhapur
• D.Y. Patil College of Engineering & Technology (DYPCET), Kolhapur
• Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering and Technology Warnanagar
• Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Engineering, Kolhapur
• Dr.J.J.MAGADUM COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,JAYSINGPUR

Medical Colleges

• CPR Government Medical College, Kolhapur
• D.Y.Patil Medical College, Kolhapur
• Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad
• Yashwant Ayurvedic Medical College,Kodoli

Dr.J.J.MAGADUM HOMEOPATHIC COLLEGE,JAYSINGPUR

Commerce Colleges

• D.R.K. College of Commerce
• Vivekananda College
• Indumati College

And lots of Junior Colleges and Schools.

Industries in Kolhapur

The city has become industrialised, due to the proximity of bauxite deposits.There are two main industrial areas, Gokulshirgaon and Shiroli. These mainly produce such products as aluminium castings, alloys, and bearings.

The Shivaji Udyamnagar area is famous for electrical and other metal fabrication workshops. The Shahu Textile Mill is located here.

Well known personalities from Kolhapur

• Shahu Maharaj
• Suryakant Mandare
• Chandrakant Mandare
• Jayant Narlikar, Astrophysist ( born July 19 , 1938 )
• Bhalji Pendharkar
• V. Shantaram
• Dr.Vasant Gowarikar
• Baburao Penter
• Sangit Surya Keshavrao Bhosale
• General Thorat
• Khashaba Jadhav
• Madhvarao Bagal

Other useful information

STD Code: (0231)

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Kholapur Kolhpur