OkTataByebye.

com: The Online Travel Community for travelers to find and share personal travel experiences, honest hotel reviews, holiday ideas and travel advice on destinations and cities in India.

Kolhapur Travel Guide

1. Overview 2. How to reach 3. Top rated things to do and see 4. Top rated hotels 5. Top rated restaurants 6. Quick facts about Kolhapur

Guide and overview on Kolhapur

Many may associate Kolhapur with the Kolhapuri Sandal and why not, the place has been popular for that for many years now. But for the religiously inclined, the prime reason to travel to Kolhapur is to visit the revered Mahalakshmi Temple. Kolhapur in Maharashtra is an important ancient city that dates back to 300 years. Situated on the banks of the Panchganga River, Kolhapur is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. The legend has it that when Lord Balaji married for the second time, his first wife, Mahalakshmi, left him and came to Kolhapur. Despite frequent pleas to return to Tirupati, Mahalakshmiji refused to do so. Even today, she faces the west the Balaji idol in Tirupati looks towards the east. Kolhapur gets its name from the demon named Kolhasur, who was killed by Goddess Mahalakshmi. Historically, Kolhapur was a princely state of Bombay presidency during the British rule. The Bhonsle dynasty who ruled during this period was used to given 19 gun salutes and so Kolhapur was named as 19 gun state during that period. The principal attraction of Kolhapur is the temple of Mahalakshmi, which was built by the Chalukya ruler, Karandev. The entry to the temple is through the western entrance or Mahadwara wherein one comes across several deepamaala and a beautiful Garuda Mandap with square pillars and foliated arches of wood. The highlight of the Mahalakshmi Temple is its design. It has been designed in such a way that the light of the setting sun falls on the face of the image for three days around the 21st of each March and September through a small open window on the western wall. On these days special pujas are organized to commemorate the event. Other popular places of tourist interest in Kolhapur include Rankala Lake, the New Palace (Chhatrapati Sahu Museum), the Old Palace and Shalini Palace.

Read more...

How to reach Kolhapur

Bus : Kolhapur is well connected by good road network from various destinations in Maharashtra. It is nearly 400 km from Mumbai, 240 km from Pune. Kolhapur lies on the NH 4 between Bangalore and Pune. Train : Kolhapur is the nearest Railway Station, which is 5 km away from the Kolhapur city. There are regular trains from Mumbai to Kolhapur. Flight : Kolhapur has a domestic Airport at Ujlaiwadi, which is 13 km away from the heart of the Kolhapur city. The airport is well connected to Mumbai airport by direct flights. Read more...

Top hotels in Kolhapur Hotel Ayodhya

User Rating : 8/10 Address : 198, E', Tararani Chowk, Kawalanaka Contact : 8322247616 Price Range : Less than Rs. 1500 Highly Rated for: Food Amenities : Air Conditioner,Bar,Cable TV,Credit Card Accepted,Indoor Games,Internet,Laundary Service,Money Exchange,Parking Facility,Restaurant,Room Service,STD / ISD,Vehicles on Rent. About the Hotel : The hotel is located in the heart of Kolhapur. Hotel Ayodhya Kolhapur is just five minutes away from Kolhapur S.T. Stand & Kolhapur Railway Station.

Hotel Shalini Palace

User Rating : 7/10 Address : Rankala Contact : 9448193822 Price Range : More than Rs. 4000 Highly Rated for: Location Amenities : Air Conditioner,Bar,Cable TV,Child Care,Credit Card Accepted,Disco Theque,Doctor on call,Health Club,Indoor Games,Internet,Laundary Service,Money Exchange,Outdoor Games,Parking Facility,Parlour,Restaurant,Room Service,Safari Arrangements,Shopping Arcade,Spa / Massage,STD / ISD,Swimming Pool,Travel Desk,Vehicles on Rent. About the Hotel : Hotel Shalini Palace is located at Kolhapur on the west bank of the picturesque Rankala lake,The Heritage Hotel is located 25 kms from Panhala,230 kms from Pune and 120 kms from Belgaum.

Hotel Rajpurush
User Rating : 6/10 Address : Contact : 1352635046 Price Range : Less than Rs. 1500 Highly Rated for: Location Amenities : Air Conditioner,Doctor on call,Laundary Service,Restaurant,Room Service,STD / ISD,Vehicles on Rent.

About the Hotel : -

Tourist Hotel
User Rating : 5/10 Address : 204, E Ward, Station Road, New Shahupuri, Kolhapur Contact : Price Range : Less than Rs. 1500 Highly Rated for: Service Amenities : Air Conditioner,Bar,Cable TV,Credit Card Accepted,Laundary Service,Parking Facility,Restaurant,Room Service.

About the Hotel : -

Hotel International
User Rating : 3/10 Address : 517/A-1, Shivaji Park, Kolhapur Contact : 0231- 2658080 Price Range : Less than Rs. 1500 Highly Rated for: Location Amenities : Air Conditioner,Cable TV,Credit Card Accepted,Parking Facility,Restaurant,Room Service,STD / ISD,Travel Desk.

About the Hotel : The hotel is located close to CBS and railway station. It is approximately five kilometers from the airport.

Valley View Grand

User Rating : 0/10 Address : Tabak Baug Panhala Contact : 5947287804 Price Range : Rs. 1500 to 4000 Highly Rated for: Food Amenities : Doctor on call,Indoor Games,Outdoor Games,Parking Facility,Room Service,STD / ISD,Travel Desk,Vehicles on Rent.

About the Hotel : Valley View Grand is located at Panhala, just 20 km from Kolhapur-Ratnagiri highway and 8 hours drive from Mumbai.

Hotel Hill Top

User Rating : 0/10 Address : Panhala Contact : 8276266820 Price Range : Rs. 1500 to 4000 Highly Rated for: Value Amenities : Cable TV,Doctor on call,Indoor Games,Outdoor Games,Restaurant,Room Service,STD / ISD.

About the Hotel : Hotel Hill Top is located at Panhala Hills, south of Maharashtra State, just 20 km from the famous city of Kolhapur.

Hotel Panchshil
User Rating : 0/10 Address : 517, A/2, Shivaji Park Contact : Price Range : Rs. 1500 to 4000 Highly Rated for: Rooms Amenities : Cable TV,Laundary Service,Parking Facility,Restaurant,Room Service,Travel Desk,Vehicles on Rent.

About the Hotel : Hotel Panchshil is located at Kolhapur, Maharashtra, close to bus stand and railway station and just 15 minutes drive from the airport.

Check out more hotels in Kolhapur

Thank you for using OkTataByebye travel guide. Wish you a very happy journey! help us make this travel guide better. Contribute and share your personal travel experiences on the site (OkTataByebye.com) once you are back.
2010 www.oktatabyebye.com. All rights reserved. * All reviews, ranks, ratings & votes on Oktatabyebye are solely the views & opinions of the users.