Entertainment in kolhapur

Boating at Rankala Lake :

Rankala is a scenic lake that boasts of serene and tranquil environs. A man-made lake,  was constructed by Shri Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj during his reign over the city. In the present times, Rankala Lake serves as a popular picnic spot for the residents of Kolhapur, where they come to spend sometime together with family. Here you can enjoy boating in paddle boats & rowing boats with your family. The area surrounding the lake has been converted into a garden where people sell Bhel-Puri , Ragda Patis & various mouth watering snacks like roasted Corns etc. Rankala is also famous for Horse-Ride and has a promenade for evening walkers and joggers.

Khasbag Maidan -
Kolhapur is very famous for traditional wrestling sports known as Kushti. Rajashri Shahu Khasbag Maidan is a very famous kushti ground located in the heart of Kolhapur city. The Maidan ground) is very big and can accommodate more than 25,000 spectators.

During the wrestling events, the wrestlers are inspired by the musical background using the instrumental music known as Halagi. The maidan is used as a training camp for Kushti sports persons. The Kushti season extends from October onwards every year. Visit to this maidan during the Kushti will be an unforgettable experience.

Stage Performances , Plays & Lavani at Keshavrao Bhosale & Shahu Smarak Hall :

For entertainment Kolhapur has Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha & Shahu Smarak Bhavan which plays a host to nataks (stage shows), lavani (traditional dance), Live performances, music shows, etc. Located in the heart of city adjacent to khasbag maidan.

Dreamworld water park :

Kolhapur has a huge water park for all those water game lovers. Dreamworld water park located in Kasaba Bavada area has water entertainments like slides, wave pool, rain dance floor, lazy river, umbrella.etc. Open on all week days between 11am to 5pm.

Gandharva Resort :

A perfect venue for a family treat with traditional Rajasthani folk dance, dashing cars, dance floor , etc. A pure vegetarian entertainment venue perfect to spend an evening with variety of snacks to enjoy. Located on Pune –Kolhapur highway, 10 km drive from city.

 
Kent Club :
If you are looking for fun times with family and close ones, you will discover unexpected ways to enjoy at trendy & vibrant Kent club located at sadale madale, wherein you can enjoy variety of games like  Billiards, Card Room, Golf, Badminton, Basket ball, Fibre boating, Cycling, carrom, chess, Table-tennis, volley ball, water games, bowling alley, Jogging, Skating, Video Games, Computer Games, Gymnasium and many more . You don't have to go to Kashmir to see and play in snow. You have snow right here at Kent club, the temperatures here are maintained at -5*C. There are plenty of games-snow slides, snow vehicles, wooden horse-drawn sleighs, basket ball, volleyball that you will enjoy. Get a taste of spine-chilling experiences at Kent Club's Horror World.

A haunted graveyard, blood curdling music, eerie voices, artful light effects blended together in a technological mix that leaves you hallucinating in fear. Star-struck enthusiasts can unravel the mysteries of our galaxy right here at Kent clubs Planetarium.

Kolhapuri Special Delicacies

Misal Pav-

Kolhapur is a foodie paradise. Kolhapuri food is world famous for its taste &Traditional Delicacies. Though it is being misrepresented as very spicy food worldwide, but the truth is that it is very less spicy, & the unique taste being due to the use of typical kolhapuri homemade masalas (spices mixture), & Onion Garlic chutney. So if you have to taste the real kolhapuri food, you have to travel to the lovely city of kolhapur, where People of Kolhapur love to show their hospitality by serving variety of kolhapuri dishes in their traditional “PAHUNCHAR’.

All stand alone restaurants to star category hotels in kolhapur serve all the traditional kolhapuri dishes & thalis. 

Mutton dishes -

Mutton dishes : Kolhapur is known for non-vegetarian meal. Tambada rassa and Pandhara rassa, dry and fried mutton, and mutton pickle .Even though eaten in the restaurant it's Maratha household flavor can be experienced. Kheema Balls Rice is also well known as a special dish as Golyachi Biryani.

Tambada Rassa is a mutton soup generally hot & spicy, red in colour , while Pandhara Rassa is Mutton soup prepared by using white coconut milk and hot spices without chilly.

Tambda & Pandhara Rassa are served along with the main course as accompaniments.
Kolhapuri mutton masala & Mutton sukke (dry) are tender pieces of lamb meat cooked in a traditional way with special kolhapuri chutneys & masalas.

Available at almost all restaurants , household eateries (khanavals) , mainly served in thalis.

Vegetarian delights - Vegetarian meal comprises of pithala and bhakari, leafy and sprouted vegetables with dahi (curd) or butter milk. Servings of the meal in traditional Marathi style proves that the goddess Annapurna ( Goddess for meal) has flavored Kolhapurians.
Available at almost all restaurants , household eateries (khanavals) , mainly served in thalis .

Kolhapuri Bhel - Tongue teasing , mouthwatering bhel is made from puffed rice & farsan & is a great evening time snack. Mostly served in roadside eateries also available near Keshavrao Bhosale Hall & Rankala Chowpaty.

 

 

Hill Stations and Forts

Panhala Fort -

Panhala -

Carrying a rich heritage, Panhala Fort forms the largest of all the Deccan forts. This fort was built between the 1178-1209 AD, this is the only fort where the great ruler himself, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have spent more than 500 days. The history of Panhala Fort is one of the oldest, and famous amongst Maratha warriors. Sajja Kothi, where Sambhaji was imprisoned. Ambabai Temple, where Shivaji used to seek blessings before venturing on expeditions. In addition to history, Panhala at an altitude of 977 m offers some inspiring scenery and a soothing climate. 

An average temperature of 25 *C.It is a must place to visit, while in kolhapur. A 45 minute journey, accompanied by beautiful landscape , a trip to Panhala will surely be a memorable one!

 Gaganbawada -

Gaganbawada the hill station untouched by commercial tourism, beautiful, misty blue & green throughout. The steep hills, valleys & gorgeous waterfalls that gurgles through them. Trekkers, Rock-Climbers & nature lovers can enjoy & explore its hidden treasure.

Ganganbawada is a hill station on the way to Sindhudurg district & Goa about 55 km away from Kolhapur. This is a very quite place which is 3000 ft. above sea level known as a CHERAPUNJI of Maharashatra as it has the highest recorded rainfall .It is also known as a spiritual place since Late Pujya Shri Gagangiri Maharaj spent most of his life meditating on the hill of Gagangad. An ashram is situated on the hill well known for its spirituality. Every year many devotees visit this ashram for meditation, and yoga.

The beauty of Gaganbawada is enhanced, in  monsoon. A place worth visiting...!

 Mahabaleshwar -

Placed in the Sahyadri range of the Western Ghats, Mahabaleshwar is the highest hill station in Western India, and also one of the most popular. Mahabaleshwars  religious and historical associations are not inconsiderable. It has two ancient temples, Mahabaleshwar from which the town takes its name and Atibaleshwar. Pratapgadh Fort, a stronghold of the Maratha leader Shivaji, is only a short drive away.

The crystal waters of the numerous waterfalls are delight to bathe in. The adventurous could trek down to Pratapgadh Fort, 24 km away where Shivaji dramatically bested General Afzal Khan. You could just roam through the tiny lanes of the bazaar, shopping for everything from shoes to luscious strawberries,blackberries,jams and jelly.

Amba- Pavankhind -

A small hill station with salubrious climate popular with trekkers. Amba is situated on the tip of the Western Ghats and is a wonderful new holiday spot. With plenty of stunning scenery and forested area around, Amba is as yet not cluttered with tourists. There is a beautiful two-hour long trek that starts from the forest leading up to the hill, to reveal a stunning view of the Konkan and Deccan plateau. Amba is about 65 km from Kolhapur on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri highway.

Vishalgad - 

The name Vishalgad itself connotes grandeur and magnificence. This picturesque fort houses the Amriteshwar Temple, Takmak Tok, Sati Vrindavan and the dargah or tomb of Hazrat Malikdhyan Baba, visited by hundreds of devotees.
Getting there : Vishalgad is 76 km to the north-west of Kolhapur. 

Kolhapur Today

Kolhapur has been long discussed as the second highest per capita income II tier city, called the "sugar bowl of India" ,having the maximum amount of Mercedes cars, spinning mills, education center and above all facts, known for its spicy curries and leather footwear. An international Go- carting track, Hill resorts/Amusement park, multiplexes & the other new entrants in the past few months are 3 new malls, Big bazaar, Reliance, and number of residential apartments.

Today kolhapur is emerging as of one of the most progressive III tier cities. Located on the golden quadrangle express way ,with the travel time of major cities like Pune, Bangalore and Bombay reduced considerably. The Kolhapur airport is being revamped .It now has refueling and night landing facilities with the expansion plan, &  an increased airstrip for Boeing flights too in years to come.

Information of Kolhapur

Kolhapur; situated on the extreme south-west of Maharashtra has a tradition of hospitality & excellence. Famous as the residence of the goddess of health, wealth & prosperity - Mahalaxmi; the region is mentioned as 'Karveer' in historical documents. Today, Kolhapur is changing its face both industrially & economically. Well connected by rail, by road & by air to the other major towns; Kolhapur can be specially marked as the gateway of Konkan. All the roads traveling towards west from Kolhapur takes us to Konkan.

KOLHAPUR CITY : "Kolhapur - The city of Goddess Mahalaxmi. A city of arts & crafts; a city with a glorious tradition of warm welcomes, yet a city of expanding horizons... We eagerly welcome you to Kolhapur & assure you that you will return home with a treasure trove of the most memorable moments of your life."

KOLHAPUR DISTRICT : "Kolhapur is a district with a variety of tourism destinations. During your stay in Kolhapur City, you can cover these destinations within a couple of days; an ideal recipe for a memorable weekend."

Temples In Kolhapur -

Mahalakshmi Temple -The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India, is one of the Shakti Peethas, listed in various puranas of Hinduism. According to these writings, a shakti peetha is a place associated with Shakti, the goddess of power. The Kolhapur peetha is of special religious significance, being one of the six places where it is believed one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple reside in the area. 

The temple belongs, architecturally, to the Kannada Chalukya empire, and may have been first built circa 700 AD. Mounted on a stone platform, the image of the four armed and crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The Shri yantra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. A stone lion, the vahana of the goddess, stands behind the statue. 

The crown contains an image of the Sheshnag — the serpent of Vishnu. In Her four hands, the deity of Mahalakshmi holds objects of symbolic value. The lower right hand holds a mhalunga (a citrus fruit), in the upper right, a large mace (kaumodaki) with its head touching the ground, in the upper left a shield (khetaka), and in the lower left, a bowl (panpatra).

Kolhapur City map

Kolhapur City

Kolhapur has been long discussed as a second highest per capita income II tier city, having the maximum amount of Mercedes cars, sugar bowl of India, spinning mills, education centre all facts known for its spicy curries and leather footwear. An international Go carting track, hill resorts/Amusement park, multiplexes the other new entrants in the past few months are 3 new malls, Big bazaar, Reliance.

Today Kolhapur is emerging as of one of the most progressive III tier cities.  Located on the golden quadrangle express way with the travel time of major cities like Pune, Bangalore and Bombay reduced considerably. The Kolhapur airport is being revamped .It now has refuelling and night landing facilities, with the expansion plan an increased airstrip for Boeing flights