Kolhāpur, India

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Kolhāpur, India

Region: Maharashtra

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Geographic Coordinates: 16.691700, 74.233300

Climate: Seasonal.

Population: 561489

Language: Marathi

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Kolhapur is a city located in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. It is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River and is known for its rich history, Culture, And traditions. Kolhapur was once ruled by the Maratha Empire and has a strong influence of their architecture and art. One of the main attractions in Kolhapur is the Mahalaxmi Temple, Which is dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi. The temple dates back to the 7th century AD and has been renovated several times over the years. It is considered one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

Another popular attraction in Kolhapur is Rankala Lake, Which covers an area of around 2 square kilometers. The lake has a beautiful garden surrounding it where visitors can relax or take a boat ride on the lake. Kolhapur also has several museums that showcase its rich history and culture. The Siddhagiri Museum displays artifacts related to Indian mythology while Chhatrapati Shahu Museum houses exhibits related to Maratha history. The city’s cuisine also deserves special mention as it offers some unique dishes that are not found anywhere else in India.

One such dish is Misal Pav – a spicy curry made with sprouted beans served with bread rolls called pav. Apart from these tourist attractions, Kolhapur also boasts several industries like sugar factories, Textile mills etc., Which contribute significantly to Maharashtra’s economy. In addition to being an important cultural center, Kolhapur also serves as an educational hub with several colleges offering courses in fields like engineering, Medicine etc., Attracting students from all over India.

Overall, Kolhapur offers visitors an opportunity to experience Indian culture at its finest – from temples dating back centuries ago to mouth-watering cuisine unique only to this region – making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling through western India!

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1. Mahalaxmi Temple
2. Rankala Lake
3. New Palace Museum
4. Jyotiba Temple
5. Panhala Fort
6. Bhavani Mandap and Town Hall
7. Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Museum
8. Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum
9. Gaganbawda Hill Station
10. Khasbag Maidan (Mahadwar Road)

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1. Textile industry: Kolhāpur is known for its textile industry, which includes traditional handloom sarees and fabrics.
2. Leather industry: The city has a thriving leather industry that produces shoes, bags, belts, and other leather products.
3. Sugar factories: There are several sugar factories in the region that produce sugar from sugarcane.
4. Engineering industry: The engineering sector in Kolhāpur is growing rapidly with the production of machine tools, auto components, and other industrial products.
5. Agriculture: Agriculture is an important sector in Kolhāpur with the cultivation of crops like sugarcane, rice, wheat, jowar (sorghum), cotton and fruits like mangoes and bananas.
6. Tourism: The city has several historical monuments such as Mahalaxmi Temple which attracts tourists from all over India.
7. Education sector: Kolhapur has many educational institutions including universities and colleges offering courses in various fields such as engineering and medicine contributing to the economy of the city through education tourism as well as employment opportunities for skilled labor force.
8. Healthcare Industry – With many hospitals & medical centers providing healthcare facilities to people residing nearby areas or referred by other regions due to expertise available here.

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1. The founding of the Kolhapur Kingdom by the Shilahara dynasty in the 9th century AD.
2. The construction of the Mahalakshmi Temple in Kolhapur during the 7th century AD.
3. The reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who conquered Kolhapur and made it a part of his empire in 1675.
4. The rule of Tarabai Bhosale, who was one of the few female rulers in Indian history and played a key role in defending her kingdom against Mughal invasion.
5. The establishment of Rajaram College by Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, in 1945.
6. The birthplace of famous Marathi writer Kusumagraj (Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar), who was born in Kolhapur district.
7. The presence of several important Jain temples such as Jyotiba Temple and Bhavani Mandap Jain temple which attract devotees from across India.
8. It is also known for its unique style footwear called Kohlapuri chappals which are popular not only within India but also globally as a fashion accessory.
9. The famous wrestler Gama Pehlwan hailed from Bhirandiwale village near Kolhapur. He is considered to be one among greatest wrestlers ever lived.
10. Kolhapur is also known for its contribution towards Indian classical music with many renowned musicians hailing from this region like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Kumar Gandharva etc.

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1. Mahalaxmi Temple is a well-known temple in Kolhapur, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Mahalaxmi.
2. Rankala Lake is a picturesque lake situated in the heart of Kolhapur city, surrounded by lush greenery and scenic views.
3. New Palace Museum showcases the history and culture of the Maratha Empire and houses various artifacts, paintings, and sculptures.
4. Shree Chhatrapati Shahu Museum displays the life and times of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, who was one of the greatest rulers of Kolhapur.
5. Jyotiba Temple is located on a hilltop near Wadi Ratnagiri village, dedicated to Lord Jyotiba offering breathtaking views of surrounding hills.
6. Siddhagiri Gramjivan Museum depicts rural life in Maharashtra through various exhibits such as houses, tools, and handicrafts in an open-air museum.
7. Bhavani Mandap is a historical monument built during 1785-1800 AD by King Shivaji’s grandson Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj for hosting public gatherings and events.
8. Kaneri Math is an ancient monastery located on a hill near Kolhapur that dates back over 300 years ago.
9. Panhala Fort is an ancient fort situated about 20 km from Kolhapur city that offers panoramic views of the valley below it.
10. Gaganbawada Hill Station is a popular hill station located about 50 km from Kolhapur city known for its scenic beauty and pleasant climate throughout the year.

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1. Kolhapur Football Club – A local football club established in 2015 that competes in the Maharashtra State Football League.
2. Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium – A multipurpose stadium situated in Kolhapur that has hosted various sporting events such as cricket, football, and kabaddi.
3. Shahuwadi Sports Academy – A sports academy located in Kolhapur that offers training facilities for several sports such as cricket, football, volleyball, and badminton.
4. Kagal Taluka Kabaddi Association – An association dedicated to promoting kabaddi at the grassroots level within Kagal taluka of Kolhapur district.

Overall, while there may not be many notable sports teams or histories associated with them from Kolhāpur itself; however, it does have infrastructure to support various sporting activities within its region.

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1. Mahalaxmi Yatra is a significant festival in Kolhapur, dedicated to the goddess Mahalaxmi. It takes place annually during the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October) and attracts thousands of devotees from across India.
2. Ganesh Chaturthi is another important festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in Kolhapur, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha. It falls in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada (August-September) and involves colorful processions, music, and dance.
3. Navratri is also celebrated with much fervor in Kolhapur as it honors the goddess Durga and her various incarnations over nine days.
4. Palkhi Festival is a unique event that includes a procession of palanquins carrying footprints from various saints who have visited Kolhapur over time. The procession starts from Alandi near Pune and ends at Pandharpur after covering around 250 km.
5. Ambabai Festival celebrates the goddess Ambabai who is believed to be an incarnation of Shakti or divine energy every February-March through grand processions, cultural programs, and street food stalls.
6. Shivaji Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj – a legendary warrior king who founded the Maratha Empire in western India – every year on 19th February.
7. Diwali or Deepavali – the festival of lights – is also celebrated with great pomp and show in Kolhapur every year during October-November like most parts of India.
8. Kolhapuri Food Festival offers traditional kolapuri dishes like Misal Pav, Tambada Rassa, Pandhara Rassa, and many more for visitors to enjoy during this food festivity!

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• Kolhapuri Misal: A spicy curry made with sprouts, served alongside bread or pav.
• Tambada Rassa: A fiery red mutton curry made using a unique blend of spices.
• Pandhra Rassa: A white chicken or mutton curry prepared with mild spices and coconut milk.
• Kolhapuri Bhadang: Spicy puffed rice snack mixed with peanuts, onions, and chillies.
• Solkadhi: A refreshing drink created from kokum fruit and coconut milk.

Several well-known restaurants in Kolhapur serve these dishes:

• Hotel Opal – famous for its Kolhapuri Misal
• Hotel Parakh – known for its Tambada Rassa
• Hotel Shree Mahalaxmi – famous for Pandhra Rassa
• Patankar’s Swaadishtah Thali – serves traditional thalis with various local delicacies
• Hotel Surya – known for its Solkadhi and other Konkani delicacies

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Parks and Recreation

1. Rankala Lake Park
2. Shahuji Chhatrapati Garden
3. Siddhagiri Museum and Kaneri Math Park
4. Mahalaxmi Temple Garden
5. Khasbag Maidan
6. Jotiba Hill
7. Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary
8. Panhala Fort Trekking and Camping
9. Gaganbawda Hill Station Trekking
10. Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary Safari

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