Jyotibachya Navane Chang Bhale

Kolhapur is a fascinating city in Southern Maharashtra near the Karnataka Border and you can spend at least 2–3 days in exploring the same. The moment you enter Kolhapur from from Pune - Bengaluru Highway, you are greeted with Statue of Queen Tarabai which is also known as Tara Rani chowk or Kawla Naka. Take a minute or two in exploring the statue. Mahalakshmi Temple - No visit to Kolhapur is complete without visit to Mahalakshmi Temple, one of the 108 shakti peethas according to the Hinduism.

Rankala Lake - Visit this lake at Sunset to enjoy the serene beauty. New Palace - The famous museum of Kolhapur with history embedded in every corner of it. Be it weapons used during Maratha empire or their cloths or numerous animal kills done by the Maharajas during their safaries. I would recommend a visit here as a must do.

Panhala - There are ST buses available from Central Bus stand for these places at a frequency of 30 mins to 1 hour. It takes about an our to reach Kolhapur. Panhala history dates back to Shivaji Maharaj’s time, it is a famous hill station now. Upon arrival try Pithla Bhakar at one of the many shacks. The rawness of this food will leave your watering all the time. Take a guided tour of Panhala Fort & know more about the history. The views from certain points will leave you in awe. Try to go in rainy season, when foggy background will take your breath away. There are basic hotel accommodations available on the top, in case if you make your mind to stay.

Jyotiba - Another holiest place for lot of people who worship God Jyotiba. Again at an hour’s drive from Kolhapur, Jyotiba temple is located at the top of the hill. Pray at the main temple and then enjoy the serenity from the top. Again visit in rains is something I will recommend. Apart from this, try visiting one of the Doodh Katta (Place where raw milk from buffalo is given to you). Jyotiba Temple (Marathi: ????????) is a holy site of Hinduism near Wadi Ratnagiri in Kolhapur district of Maharashtra state in western India. The deity of the temple is known by the same name. An annual fair takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakha.

Jyotiba temple is situated at a height of 3124 feet above sea level and is dedicated to Jyotiba. The temple is 18 km north-west of Kolhapur.[1] According to the tradition, the original Kedareshwar temple was built by Navji Saya. In 1730, Ranoji Shinde built the present temple in its place. This shrine is 57 ft x 37 ft x 77 ft high including the spire. The second temple of Kedareshwar is 49 ft x 22 ft x 89 ft high. This shrine was constructed by Daulatrao Shinde in 1808. The third temple of Ramling is 13 ft x 13 ft x 40 ft high including its dome. This temple was constructed in circa 1780 by Malji Nilam Panhalkar.[2] The interior of the temple is ancient. There are other few temples and Light-towers in the premises.

Legend says Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva came together to incarnate as the deity Jyotiba who eventually destroyed the evil Ratnasura. Jyotiba helped Ambabai in her fight with the demons. He founded his kingdom on this mountain, and belongs to the Nath sampradaya. Lord Jyotiba destroyed Raktabhoja Rakshasa, and Ratnasura Rakshasa thus liberating the region from their tyranny. The idol of Lord Jyotiba is four-armed.

On Chaitra Poornima of Hindu calendar, a big fair is held, when lacs of devotees come with tall (Sasan) sticks. Shree kshretra padali, vihe, kolhapur chatrapati, himmat bahadur chavan, Gwalior shinde kival navajibaba are some sasankathis in this festival. Due to scattering of ‘Gulal’ by the devotees the entire temple complex appears pink and even the Jyotiba hill has turned pink, resulting in people referring to the temple as the Pink temple. Being Sunday is day dedicated to Jyotiba, there is always rush over there

Whenever, you are moving through the town, you will come across a lot of iconic places like Bhawani Mandap, Binkhambi Ganpati Temple, Khasbagh Stadium etc. Interact with the local people and try to understand the local dialect. (It’s actually amazing) Summery - Kolhapur is lively place with history, religion embedded in every corner yet modern. Once you visit Kolhapur, you will come back again and again. The charm of Kolhapur will always remain. After the lake, you can have a good breakfast.

Misal pav for which my favourite place is Fadtare misal. But let me warn you first it does not have a good ambience but nothing can beat it in taste. Another option for Misal is Gavran misal which is in Rajarampuri area 9th lane...I have not been there yet but getting to hear all good reviews about it. You can visit Kanheri Math which is worth a visit I believe...its 13km from kop.. different cultures are depicted through statues... it's beautiful and takes almost 2 hours to complete.

As it will be almost evening when you return Kolhapur you can go for authentic kolhapuri tambda pandhra dinner...Padma is good for it which is in Tarabai park...or Parkh is also good but again do not hope for good ambience, Opal also is good option. The next day you can start with visiting Panhala fort which is the real charm.. you can explore the lake, Sajja Kothi, Teen Darwaja, Ganesh khind.

After Panhala there is a Jyotiba temple which is nice place to visit again. After you reach Kolhapur do visit the New palace of Shahu maharaj..it is a palace and small museum. Not that great but good to know the place. Tambda pandhra rassa and Mutton/Chicken at Dehati near Tararani Putla. Shop for organic jaggery, molases and Kolhapuri ready spices powder near Mahalkshmi temple area - Kapilteerth market. Dawangiri Loni Dosa, at Ardha Shivaji Putla, Near Mahalakshmi temple. Jyotibachya Navane Change Bhale