Kolhapur-the word makes one think whether it has lot of ’’kolhoos’’ for extracting sugarcane juice.
But it appears the name is not linked with this, even though all around Kolhapur there is greenery, Sugarcane fields, slopes and hills.There are many sugar factories.
Someone who had been to Britain, remarked that Kolhapur is like Scotland.
Kolhapur is an ancient city.It has an ancient temple of the goddess-Mahalaxmi.
It has the Shalini Palace, now a Hotel next to the Rankala lake a place where people gather to enjoy in evenings and on holidays.
But the modern Hotel is Victor Palace with a swimming pool and poolside cafe, disco and health club with massage, jacuzzi, steam and sauna bath etc.
Best time to visit is any time but preferably after the rains, as lot of greenery soothes the eyes.
One can also see the leather slippers or ’’chappals’’, the light silver jewellery polished with gold and taste the jaggery.
Places to visit, Mahalaxmi temple, the New palace and Museum, Town hall, the banks of the Panchganga river with temples, the view of the river is good from the bridge with trees lining the side and touching the river, nearby Panhala hill( 20 kms)which has old fort remains, gates, stone granaries, the Sajja Kothi, Pusati Burz, the Tabak garden, small lake( or monsoon water pond), sights of the hills and valleys, scents of leopards and Jyotiba hill temple( also about 20 kms) old forts at greater distances, Dazipur gaur( wild bison) sanctuary( for stay there is a small MTDC lodge and a forst guest house with two suites.