Kolhapur

The historic city of Kolhapur is an amalgamation of different cultures and traditions, chief population including Marathas, followed by that of Brahmins, Gujratis, Buddhists, Sindhis and Muslims. It has a thriving tourism industry. Sugarcane and jaggery are produced in large amounts and supports the economy. Other prominent industries include textiles, metals and mining. Kolhapuri Chappals is yet another exceptional product of the city, which are handcrafted buffalo hide slippers and are world famous. Wrestling is the most important sport in the area, popularly known as Kolhapuri Kusti. Another feather in the cap is the world-renowned Lavani dance form. A whole lot of festivals are celebrated in Kolhapur, the most popular of which is Diwali. “Tambda and Pandhar Rassa” (Red and White Curry) and Kolhapuri Mutton are the most popular dishes, close next being missal pav.

The history of Kolhapur dates back to the Hindu mythology. It is mentioned in the final and key chapter of Devi Gita- the Hindu mythological book. It was earlier called “Kolhasur” bearing the name of the demon who was fought and killed by Goddess Mahalaxmi. The city was ruled by many Indian dynasties including- the Ydavas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas. Howbeit, the city mostly prospered under the rule of the Marathas when it became a cultural hub for various arts, music, dances and sports. Later, it was annexed by the British during the 19th century and after the independence of India was merged with the Bombay State.

Kolhapur offers a variety of shopping options to the tourists. Kolhapuri Chappals are world renowned for their unique style and grace. Made from buffalo hide, they are an all-time favourite footwear for the Indians. While Shetkari Bazaar is the cheapest for this purchase, almost all markets in the city are lined with their speciality. Another famous product of Kolhapur is its sarees, which bring out the rich ethnic look of its culture. Jaggery or more popularly known as gud, is loved particularly for its authentic taste and rich flavours. Saaj is another unique type of neck-piece with fine intricate designs. It’s a traditional Maharashtrian jewellery and a perfect memorabilia for anyone. It would be highly recommended to pack some of the amazing Kolhapuri spices on your way back. They bring out the most amazing flavours in anything from a sauce to a gravy!

This place is known for it's spicy food of curries and fries. Dominated by Maharashtrian style of cooking, the cuisine here is popular everywhere as 'Kolhapuri Cuisine'.

Especially famous for its non-vegetarian food - Tambada rassa(red curry) and Pandara rassa(white curry) are the epitome of Indian curries.

Misal - a spicy gravy of potatoes, peas and other sprouts, finds its origin here. The authentic Misal, famous all over Maharashtra can only be found here.

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A 3-day trip is the least you can plan to spend in Kolhapur, anything less and you'll miss out something important. Ideally, choose 3 places to see in a day so that you can cover all of them in peace and at ease.
Day 1- You can start your trip by a visit to the famous Mahalakshmi Temple in the morning and if you start early you have just enough time to visit the Bhavani temple nearby. From here, you can drive to Panhala which takes roughly about 6 hours and explore the Panhala fort. Have a Kolhapuri lunch on the way to Panhala. After coming back to Kolhapur, spend the evening at the Rankala Lake and enjoy the delicious street food at the Chowpatty.
Day 2- Visit the Jyotiba temple and take a stroll down history at the New Palace Museum. There is a place called Gurhal where pure jaggery is made from scratch. A family owns the place since years and allows people to watch the process and even offers to taste fresh sugarcane juice and jaggery and also buy some.
Day 3- Visit the Binkhambi Ganesh Temple in the morning and then proceed to the Temlabai Temple on the Temlabai hills. The evening can be spent shopping at the local bazaars for Kolhapuri Chappals, jewellery, spices and unique cloth materials.

Kolhapur has become a crowded place recently. The city centre can be very crowded during the peak hours with traffic jams.

Kolhapur is a great place for those who are fond of arts and crafts and is a popular getaway for people living in and around Maharashtra.