Kolhapur

For The preserved steam locomotive, see LMS Jubilee Class 5593 Kolhapur.

"Kolhapuri" redirects here. For other uses, see Kolhapuri (disambiguation).

Kolhapur
Metropolitan
The New Palace, Kolhapur
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Kolhapur
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Mayor	Pratibha Naiknavare
Area
• Total	66.82 km2 (25.80 sq mi)
Elevation	545.6 m (1,790.0 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	561,841
• Density	8,400/km2 (22,000/sq mi)
Demonym	Kolhapurkar
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	4160XX
Telephone code	0231
Vehicle registration	MH-09
Website	[www.kolhapurcorporation.gov.in Official Site]

Kolhapur (Kolhapur.ogg^ⓘ) is a city situated in the southwest part of the state of Maharashtra, India. Kolhapur serves as the headquarters of the Kolhapur district. Before Independence, it was a 19 gun salute princely state ruled by the royal Bhosale Chhatrapatis of the Maratha Empire. Kolhapur assumes a place amongst the cities having highest per capita income in the country and it's one of the fastest growing cities in Maharashtra.The survey conducted in 2011–12 clearly showed that kolhapur district has per capita income (yearly) of Rs. 101,044 which is 5 th highest in Maharashtra state and there has been an increase of Rs. 17,000 as compared to the earlier survey conducted in year 2010–11. 'Kolhapur' is the fourth city in the Maharashtra state after Mumbai, Pune and Nashik where Maharashtra State government has allowed to construct high rise buildings up to 35 meters taking into consideration of rapid urbanisation and tremendous growth of this city. Kolhapur is known as 'dakshin (south) kashi', 'historical capital of maharashtra state', 'door of konkan' as well as 'city of wrestlers ' and 'city of arts'. It is also known as a 'city of palaces and temples'. Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchganga and is the location of the Temple of Mahalakshmi, a Hindu goddess.

History

The Hindu Goddess Mahalakshmi

Ancient history

According to Hindu mythology, Kolhapura was settled by Kolhasura, a demon who was later killed by Mahalakshmi to relieve the local populace. However, honouring the demon's dying wish, the city was named after him. Kolhapur finds mentions in Devi Gita, the final and most important chapter of the Srimad Devi Bhagawatam, as one the important places of Shakti "Kollamma" worship, "Devi spoke:..."O King of Mountains! Still I am now telling something out of My affection to My Bhaktas. Hear. There is a great place of pilgrimage named Kollapura in the southern country. Here the Devi Laksmi always dwells...."

During 940–1212 CE, it was the capital of the Shilahara dynasty of Kolhapur. An inscription at Teradal mentions that king Gonka was healed from snakebite by a Jain monk and Gonka built a temple of Lord Neminath. Many Jain temples in this region build in the next few centuries are called Gonka-Jinalya after him. During the reign of Bhoja I, a dynamic Acharya Maghanandi helped establish an institute at Rupanarayana-Basadi. Several kings and nobles of the dynasty were disciples of Maghanandi. Maghanandi is often called Siddhanta-chakravarti i.e. the great master of the scriptures, Gandaraditya I was his disciple. He is sometimes called "Kolapuriya" or walyaa to distinguish him from many other Acharyas with the name Maghanandi.

Kolhapur was the site of intense confrontation between the Western Chalukyas and the Chola kings Rajadhiraja Chola and his younger brother Rajendra Chola II. Following the Battle of Koppam in 1052, Rajendra Chola II marched on to Kolhapur and erected a jayastambha or victory pillar in the city.

The Kopeshwar (Shiva) Temple, located in Kolhapur district, was built by Shilahara King Gandaraditya, Vijayaditya and Bhoj-II between 1109 and 1178 AD. Kolhapur, historically had a major influence and connections with the prevalent kingdoms of Greece/Rome.

Kolhapur as a princely state

Main article: Kolhapur (princely state)

Shahaji II of Kolhapur (r. 1894 -1922)

Kolhapur State (1707-1947) was a princely State of British India, under the Deccan Division of the Bombay Presidency, and later the Deccan States Agency. It was considered the fourth most important of the Maratha principalities, the other three being Baroda State, Gwalior State and Indore State. Its rulers, of the Bhonsle dynasty, were entitled to a 19-gun salute - thus Kolhapur was also known as a 19-gun State. The state flag was a swallow-tailed orange pennant. Kolhapur State, together with its jagirs or feudatories, covered an area of 3,165 square miles (8,200 km²). According to the 1901 census, the state population was 910,011, of which 54,373 resided in Kolhapur Town. In 1901, the state enjoyed an estimated revenue of £300,000.

Geography and climate

The Panchganga River at Kolhapur

Kolhapur city is located in south-west Maharashtra. It has an elevation of 569 metres (1867 ft) which is higher than that of Pune. By road, Kolhapur is 228 km south of Pune, 615 km north-west of Bangalore and 530 km west of Hyderabad. The nearest cities and towns within Maharashtra are Ichalkaranji (20 km), Kagal (17 km), Sangli (45 km), Satara (115 km), and Miraj (50 km).

Kolhapur's climate is a blend of coastal and inland climate of Maharashtra. The temperature has a relatively narrow range between 10 °C to 35 °C. Summer in Kolhapur is comparatively cooler, but much more humid, compared to neighbouring inland cities. Maximum temperatures rarely exceed 38 °C and typically range between 33 to 35 °C. Lows during this season are around 24 °C to 26 °C. The city receives abundant rainfall from June to September due to its proximity to the Western Ghats. The heavy rains often lead to severe flooding in these months. Temperatures are low in the rainy season and range between 19 °C to 30 °C. Kolhapur experiences winter from November to February. The winter temperatures are a bit higher compared to other cities in Maharashtra such as Pune and Nasik. Lows range from 9 °C to 16 °C while highs are in the range of 26 °C to 32 °C due to its high elevation and being adjacent to the Western Ghats. Humidity is low in this season making weather much more pleasant. In 2005 & 2006 there was excessive rainfall in Kolhapur resulting in floods.

Climate data for Kolhapur
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31 (88)	33 (91)	36 (97)	37 (99)	33 (91)	29 (84)	27 (81)	26 (79)	28 (82)	30 (86)	29 (84)	29 (84)	31 (87)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	15 (59)	17 (63)	20 (68)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	22 (72)	21 (70)	21 (70)	21 (70)	17 (63)	15 (59)	20 (68)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	4.3 (0.17)	0.51 (0.02)	6.1 (0.24)	27 (1.06)	46 (1.82)	140 (5.51)	338 (13.32)	182 (7.15)	102 (4.00)	104 (4.08)	41 (1.60)	5.6 (0.22)	996 (39.21)
Source: Government of Maharashtra

Economy

Kolhapur is the commercial hub and Industrial hub of South Maharashtra, ranking only Fifth after Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nasik in the state in terms of overall exports (mainly related to the Heavy, Medium and Light industry). Known as the "Bread Basket\Sugar cane Bowl" of South Maharashtra, it is an important source of vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, fish, mining production, and wood (due to heavy rainfall, rivers and the abundance of water). Trading in South Maharashtra is mainly with Goa, along with major cities like Pune and Solapur and Hubli. Rich deposits of bauxite are found in Kolhapur district and have led to the creation of many Heavy industries depending on the bauxite. Kolhapur is a major producer of milk in the state, almost 1/3 or 30% of state's production, and has the highest number of sugar factories; it is, 22 sugar factories in the kolhapur district is the highest number of sugar factories in any district in India. Due, to it is also known as the Sugar Bowl of Maharashtra. Its sugar industries account to a significant share of sugar, jaggery and baggase produced in the country: Kolhapur district has 22 sugar factories. It is fast becoming an industrialised district as well and already a front‐runner in agro‐based industries.

Kolhapur is one of the shining examples in the co‐operative movement of India, with around 11,338 societies in the district. Kolhapur district has the largest number of bio-gas plants in India(97,000 plants overall) thus, winning the national award for consecutively 3 times. Chhatrapati Shahu cooperative sugar factory in Kolhapur, has won the national award for being the best managed cooperative sugar factory in India for total 9 times. Industries in Kolhapur are mainly sugar, textile, automobile ancilleries, engineering and manufacturing units, forging and foundry units, milk industries and chemical industries. The Kolhapur district is a leading district in dairy farming; it boasts of milk-production with huge exports of milk and milk-products. The setting up of dairies Gokul, Warana, Mayur, Sphurti, Yalgud, Shahu has been a important factors in economic development of the district, especially Gokul Milk Co-operative which is one of the Fifth biggest dairies in India only after Amul, Mother dairy.

Kolhapur is the fifth most industrialised city in Maharashtra.Most of the industries in or near kolhapur are Heavy industries, Textile, Agro based, High tech Industries, Machinery producer, Metal producing industries like Steel mills, Aluminium due to large resources of bauxite in the district, and may numerous type of Medium and Light industries are around Kolhapur in various large scale Industrial estates.In early, 2000 many new industrial engaged in the eco-friendly sector mainly in Wind power, Solar power, and Bio gas emerged due, to favourable condation form the MIDC.

Major industrial estates in kolhapur & its suburb include Kagal-hatkanagale five-star Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Shiroli MIDC, Gokul-Shirgaon MIDC & Udyamnagar co-op industrial estate. Also the new upcoming 'Vikaswadi MIDC' is at its final stage near the kolhapur city. Some other industrial estates present in district are Laxmi industrial estate, Parvati industrial estate, L.K. Akiwate industrial estate, Halkarni industrial estate, Ajara industrial estate, Gadhinglaj industrial estate etc. There are efforts being taken by MIDC in 2009 to develop new industrial estates namely,Top-sambhapur industrial estate, Ambap MIDC,Karveer MIDC (at Karveer tehsil),Halsawade MIDC (at Karveer tehsil),Wathar-Vadgaon MIDC,Arjuni MIDC(at kagal tehsil), Donoli MIDC(at Shahuwadi tehsil) Minache MIDC & Bhudargad MIDC because of constant demands for land from industrialists.

Kirloskar Oil Engines, Wilo SE, Raymond Zambaiti, Undercarriage and tractor parts, Kolhapur Steel Ltd. (a subsidiary of kirloskar brothers ltd.), Fairfield Atlas Dogetech Machinery Manufacturing are some well known Industrial giants having presence in kolhapur.

Kolhapur has around 300 foundry units which are responsible for around Rs. 15 billion exports per year. The "foundry cluster" project is further aiming to extend the exports up to Rs. 55 billion. Ichalkaranji, which is a city in Kolhapur district, popularly known as "Manchester of the Maharashtra" is witnessing a mega-cluster of power looms. In 2012, Kolhapur has been declared by the central government as the city of 'Export excellence'[6] which is the only city from Maharashtra. The textile SEZ is in Kagal.'

Its rich legacy, tradition and culture, presence of Mahalaxmi temple, palaces, and arts makes the city ideal tourist destination. It attracts approximately three million tourists every year. The leather industry is famous for the royal and robust 'Kolhapuri Chappals' typically handcrafted and known for its style globally.

Kolhapur is also known for the film industry. Maharashtra Film Company was established in Kolhapur on 1929 by Baburao Painter which was a remarkable effort due to which Kolhapur became one of the primary center for Marathi Film Industry. Kolhapur plays host to many film festivals, including the Kolhapur International Film Festival, and provides locations for shooting. In 2012, the chief minister of Maharashtra announced a new film city at Kolhapur..

Civic administration

File:Kolhapur Municipal Corporation.jpg

Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

Main article: Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

Kolhapur is governed by Kolhapur Municipal Corporation. Kolhapur municipality was established on 12 October 1854. Establishment of municipality initiated planning of modern Kolhapur city of Maharashtra state. Efforts were done with elaborate planning to develop stable and comfortable city life.The period from 1941 to 1944 was the golden period in the history of municipality. There were major changes in various fields. In the three-year election of March 1941, local self-government was established

The period from 1954 to 71 was the period of speedy growth of Kolhapur city. It is seen that the municipality moved towards corporation status during this period. It is seen from records that in 1960, there were 44 members in municipality. Out of them 37 were from general category, 3 from reserved backward category and 4 from women reserved category. The municipal working was based on administrative triangle of general body meeting, chief officer and standing committee. Engineers, health officers, account officers, supervisors, octroi and tax officers used to help Chief officer. In 1956- c57, the annual income of municipality was Rs. 33,21,213 through taxes and other means, and the expenditure was Rs. 29,29,161.

On 15th Dec. 1972, the municipal council was converted into corporation. The corporation was need of the time to solve growing urban problem due to growing population. During this period network of roads was constructed in the city. New bridges were constructed as per requirement. Water supply was made more effective. New markets, gardens were constructed to make the city more beautiful.

Demographics

Religions in Kolhapur
Religion			Percent
Hindus			74%
Muslims			12%
Buddhists			9.6%
Christians			1.4%
Jains			2.7%
Others†			0.3%
Distribution of religions †Includes Sikhs (0.2%), Others (<0.1%).

As of 2011 India census Kolhapur had a population of 5,61,841 making it 78th most populous city in India. In this population males constitute 2,87,376 and females constitute 2,74,465 resulting into sex ratio of 955. Kolhapur has average literacy rate of 92.17% which is higher than national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 96.35% and female literacy is 87.84%. Population growth doesn't show significant comparing to 2001 because the city limits have not expanded since 1977 and trend of industrial growth observed outskirts of city. But it has population density of 8400 per km² which is higher than state as well as district density.

Majority of people belong to Maratha community along with smaller communities of Brahmins, Buddhists, Gujaratis Marwadis, Marathi Jains, Sindhis ,Kannadigas with minority population of Muslims. Marathi is the official language spoken in the city. Kannada was once very widely spoken in Kolhapur during bygone eras,which is proved by large number of stone inscriptions on Mahalakshmi temple,Kannada jain manuscripts found in Kolhapur ans some place names. It has a population density of 8400 per km² which is higher than state as well as district density.

Culture

A majority of residents in Kolhapur follow Hinduism. Hence, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Vijaya Dashami, Navaratri are main festivals celebrated along with Holi known as festival of colours.

Kolhapur hosts the worlds tallest Lord Ganesh idol(85 feet) at Chinmaya Mission near top-Sambhapur.

Children from kolhapur set a new world record by wearing a dress of Mahatma Gandhi on his 143rd birth anniversary in year 2012 at Tapovan, a city suburb.Altogether 575 children dressed as Mahatma Gandhi gathered at Tapovan Vidaylay situated in kolhapur district and with this act they broke the earlier Guniess Book of World Record made by students of Kolkata.

Ramdas Namdeo Aswale a barber from Prayag Chikali in kolhapur district has entered the Limca Book of Records for a remarkable 460 haircuts in 27 hours with just two breaks of 10 minutes each.

Kolhapur Municipal Corporation is the first & only municipal corporation in India which does not charge for any of the cremation procedures to be done after the demise of its citizens.

The statue of "Queen Tararani" riding a horse which is located in Kolhapur, is the only statue in the world because of its unique architectural design. The statue rests on only 2 legs of the horse.The equestrian statue of Tara Rani is very famous and one of a kind. Supposedly, only one leg of the horse supports the entire statue.The Bronze statue of Hon.Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar which is built at Bindu chowk in kolhapur is his oldest statue in the world.This statue was inaugurated on 7 December 1950.

Today, the only Maybach car which is still in princely possession is the Kolhapur Maybach of the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur, which is taken out every year for Dusshera procession.This model of the maybach is the only model of its type in whole India today.

Kolhapuri jewellery

Kolhapur is famous for type of necklace called Kolhapur saaj.This artistically made jewellery, due to its specific design and pattern, is considered to add glory to the person wearing it. Being associated with affluence, many songs and poems have been written about the Kolhapuri Saaz. Haar and malas, mohanmaal, bormaal, chaplahaar, kolhapuri saaj, pohehaar and putlihaar are the jewelleries that are made in Kolhapur. These names are derived from the peculiar shapes of the jewelleries. Thushi, a choker with closely bound tiny gold beads, is very popular in Kolhapur.

Kolhapuri Chappal (footwear)

Kolhapuri chappal

Kolhapuri chappals are hand-crafted buffalo leather slippers that are locally tanned using vegetable dyes. The foot-wear is made out of special chrome tanned leather, its straps made with minutely woven leather threads, decorated with beautiful tassels made out of leather.

They are mainly made in kolhapur district. They get their name as the style is Kolhapuri. Exquisite footwear that is popular in domestic and international markets. These are exported to many countries including Europe, Japan and the U.S.A .

Media and communication

• Pudhari is the local newspaper of the City, while other Marathi language newspapers such as Sakaal, Maharashtra Times (Kolhapur edition)Loksatta, Lokmat, Kesari, Saamna , Tarun Bharat, Punyanagari are popular.

Major English dailies in the city are The Times of India (Kolhapur edition), The Indian Express, Business Standard and The Economic Times. Hindi daily in the city is Lokmat Times.

• Kolhapur enjoys broadcasting of FM Radio services. Tomato FM 94.3 MHz, Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz) tops the popularity rating along with All India Radio FM (102.7 MHz).

Education

Main article: Shivaji University

File:Shivaji University.jpg

Shivaji University

Shivaji University (Template:Lang-mr), was established in 1962, is located in Kolhapur. It is spread over a sprawling campus of 853 acres(3.4519 km2). The University is named after the Great Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, founder of the Maratha Empire. It was inaugurated on 18 November 1962 by Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the then President of India. Yashwantrao Chavan and Balasaheb Desai took the lead in establishing this University. Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara come under its jurisdiction with 279 affiliated colleges and recognised institutes. One of the major objectives behind foundation of this University was to cater to the regional needs of South Maharashtra. Kolhapur has a number of engineering, medical colleges, international schools as well as a Pre-IAS training centre.

Kolhapur has the Highest Litercy rate of 95% with the largest number of Schools and colleges located in and around kolhapur. Kolhapur hosts an agriculture college affiliated to Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (Rahuri) located off the Pune Bangalore national highway no. 4.

MoUs of Shivaji University With other universities & institutes

• Gifu University, Japan
• Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
• Chonnam National university, South Korea
• Gyeongsang National University, South Korea
• Kyungpook National University, South Korea
• National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan
• University of Brasilia Foundation, Brasilia- Brazil
• Monash University, Clayton, Australia
• Sabaragamuwa University, Sri Lanka
• Khon-Kaen University, Thailand
• Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand
• National Institute of Space Research (INPE), Brazil
• Asian Research Network (ARN) instituted by Hanyang University, South Korea
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai
• Joint MoU with University of Pune,University of Mumbai and Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Nashik
• Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG),Mumbai
• National Institute of Oceanography, Goa
• Centre for Social Studies, Surat
• Microsoft Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore
• Intel Technology Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai
• Infosys BPO
• SAP India Pvt. Ltd.,Bangalore
• tCognition Consulting Pvt. Ltd.

Pre-IAS training centre

In Maharashtra, there are four Pre-IAS training centres at Mumbai, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Kolhapur.

The jurisdiction of Pre-IAS centre Kolhapur includes Sangli, Satara, Pune, Solapur, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurga and Belgaum districts. Any student from any university in India who lives in Maharashtra can seek admission in Pre-IAS training centre in Kolhapur on entrance merit basis.

International schools

• Podar International school
• Vibgyor International school
• Shantiniketan International school
• Fort International Academy
• Sanjay Ghodawat International school,
• Mrs.Vijayadevi Yadav International school etc.

Engineering colleges

• D. Y. Patil college of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur
• KIT College of Engineering
• Bharati Vidyapeeth's College of Engineering
• Sanjay Ghodawat group of engineering and technology
• Genesis Institute of engineering and technology
• Sanjeevan Institute of engineering and technology
• D.K.T.E.Society's textile and engineering institute
• Ashokrao Mane Engineering institute
• T.K.I.E.T.Warana college of engineering and technology
• Bhima Institute of Engineering and Technology (Dhananjay Mahadik group of institutes)
• Dr.J.J.Magdum college of engineering
• Sharad Institute of Technology-College of engineering
• Dr.Bapuji Salunkhe college of engineering & technology, etc.

Medical colleges

• Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Government Medical College
• D. Y. Patil Medical College
• Tatyasaheb Kore Dental College & Research Centre
• Mary Wanless Hospital & Homeopathy Medical College
• Venutai Yashwantrao Chavan Homoeopathic Medical College

Pharmacy colleges

• Rajarshi Shahu Chhatrapati Institute Of Pharmacy College
• Bharati Vidyapeeth's College Of Pharmacy
• Dr. J.J. Magdum Pharmacy College
• Tatyasaheb Kore College Of Pharmacy

Law colleges

• Shivaji Law College
• Bharati Vidyapeeth's New Law College

Sports

Kolhapur is famous for Wrestling. Khasbaug wrestling stadium is one of the largest stadiums in India for wrestling with seating capacity of about 20,000 people. Kolhapur has also contributed in Olympic level games such as shooting, and swimming. Tejaswini Sawant, who won the Gold Medal for 50m rifle prone shooting at the 2010 ISSF World Shooting Championships held in Munich, is from Kolhapur. Virdhawal Khade who hails from Kolhapur has won medals in national as well as international swimming events. Anuja Patil from kolhapur is a cricketer from Maharashtra played in Twenty20 internationals for India. Rahi Sarnobat is an athlete from kolhapur who competes in the event of 25 metres pistol shooting. She who won two gold medals in 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. She won the first gold in 25m pistol event in pair with Anisa Sayyed. Suhas Khamkar is a professional bodybuilder from kolhapur.During his 12 years of successful professional career in bodybuilding, Suhas has won various accolades at the state and national level. Some of the prestigious awards to suhas credit are :Mr. India 2012 Overall Champion, Mr. India 2011 Overall Champion, Mr. India 2010 Overall Champion, Mr. Asia 2010 (First Indian to win Mr. Asia), Maharastra Shree, Mr. India (below 18 years category), 5 times Gold medalist in All India Railway competitions. Parth Ghorpade from kolhapur is a Winner of 5 National Karting titles including the 2008 and 2009 Rotax Junior and the 2010 Rotax Senior Championships.He has represented India at the 2008, 2009 & 2010 Rotax World Finals in Italy and Egypt.His Present racing activities are FFSA / Autosport Academy F4 Renault 1.6 French Championship.

Football is a very popular sport in Kolhapur. Kolhapur League matches are held at Shahu Stadium and most top flight teams are professional in nature. The football tradition is as old as wrestling in the city. The League consists of 3 divisions with over 50 clubs and around 1000 players registered. The I-League games are also held at Shahu Stadium. Also the international friendly between the Indian and Dutch women's team was played in 13 January 2013 at the Shahu Stadium.

B. B. Nimbalkar, from kolhapur was an Indian cricketer, best known for his score of 443 not out during the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, which remains the highest score, and the only quadruple century, in Indian first-class cricket.During the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, playing for Maharashtra against Kathiawar at Pune, Nimbalkar made 443 not out, at the time second only to Don Bradman's 452 not out as the record first-class innings and currently fourth-highest of all-time. He was unable to break the record because, with the total standing at 826 for 4 at the lunch interval, the Kathiawar side conceded the match; however Bradman sent a personal note to Nimbalkar saying that he considered Nimbalkar's innings better than his own.He is still considered as one of the best 11 cricket players in the world.

Teja Bandal from kolhapur has become the first Indian to win the excellence award in International Origami Competition organised by British Origami Society.Out of the participants from 123 countries across the globe, Teja has emerged as the winner for her innovative work in origami tessellation and interior design and architecture.Snehal Bendke, a student from kolhapur was the first Indian basketball official(refree) to represent India at olympics. She acted as a refree for london olympics 2012.

5-year-old Shreeya Deshpande from Vibgyor High, Kolhapur set a new world record in Limbo Skating.Her incredible feat of skating in the position for 158 feet and two inches in mere 23 seconds smashed the previous world record of 111 feet held by a nine-year-old boy. 'Khasbaug Maidan' in Kolhapur is the first wrestling stadium in India based on a Roman style built by King Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur and hosts seating arrangement for 20,000 people.

Military centre

Kolhapur has been a military centre since old days. The Bhosale Chhatrapati had his own army before the British came. The British maintained their infantry and it was quartered at Infantry Lines near Line Bazar, but when the British units withdrew and the Maharaja was allowed to have his own army, the 'Rajaram Rifles' were formed. They were quartered in barracks specially built on a hillock near the 'Tramboli Hill'. This continued to be the head quarters of the 'Raiaram Rifles' until the merger of the 'Kolhapur State' when this infantry was disbanded. Now a 24 th Maratha Light Infantry battalion 109 (Territorial Army Artillery) unit is stationed at Kolhapur and it uses the barracks built for the 'Rajaram Rifles'.

Cuisine

File:Kolhapuri Misal.jpg

Kolhapuri Misal

The city also lends its name to many common products such as Kolhapuri Lavangi Mirchi, Kolhapuri Gul and Kolhapuri Masala(spices). Most preparations in Kolhapuri cuisine include usage of "Kolhapuri Masala (spices)". The most famous part of the Kolhapuri cuisine are red meat preparations called Tambada Rassa (Red Curry), Pandhara Rassa (White Curry), and Sukaa Mutton (Dry Meat)and Kolhapuri Misal(a type of snacks item). Jaggery is produced here in large scale due to large production of Sugarcane.

Kolhapuri Misal is one of the famous dishes of Kolhapur. Hot and Spicy are the words which describe the dish to certain extent. This is a delicious dish. It is not a snack but a medium diet. Anybody who wish to have a variety of food, will definitely like this dish. For preparation of the dish confectionery items are preferentially used. Chivada, Shev, Papadi are the indigents of dish. A thin curry covers for all confectionary items. For making it tasty ginger, garlic, mint is also used. The dish is accompanied by a slice of bread. Some chopped onion along with lime makes it even more mouth-watering. Tasting it with the bread and enjoying the "Kat" (curry) is a craze in Kolhapur. In every hotel this dish is available but a few places in the city are renowned like the Khasbag hotel, Phadtare and Chorage Misal.

Kolhapur has a some good traditional dishes prepared from "Mutton" (goat meat) which are very tasty and delightful. "Pandhra Rassa" is a type of curry which is an identity of Kolhapuri cuisine. Pandhara Rassa is prepared from coconut milk and mutton stock, A Soup like dish of water used to boil the "Mutton" along with spices such as cinnamon, coriander, ginger & garlic etc. which looks white in color so called as "Pandhara Rassa". It is liked as a Starter. This is a very tasty pre-food item. Apart from taste it has certain medicinal use as well. This "Rassa" is recommended for cough and throat related ailments. This is a part of a well-know duo curries, the other one is termed as "Tambra Rassa"

"Tambra Rassa" the second starter of the duo. This is a curry prepared using red chilly powder to make it appear "Tambda" or reddish. After these starters comes the special roasted mutton.

"Roasted Mutton" is a special variety of non-veg dish prepared extensively at Kolhapur. The special recipe of this mutton makes it a unique disk attributed to Kolhapur. Different varieties of this dishes are prepared with different spices. Mutton Pickle known as 'Lonche' is another such delicacy unique to Kolhapur. Another such famous type is "Ghaati" Mutton. These various dishes along with "Bhakari" or "Chapaati" constitute the Kolhapuri Taat(thali).

"Mutton Rakti" is also a speciality dish of Kolhapuri non-veg culture which is made up of blood of goat. The dish is famous in the villages around kolhapur city. It can be served along with Bhakri and Chapati.

Developments

File:Shivaji University Square.JPG

University Chowk

File:Shivaji University Road.JPG

Shivaji University Road

Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has undertaken many improvement projects including Kolhapur Road Project, Encroachment drive etc. City Development Plan 2031 is also redesigned to make Kolhapur better place. Salient features of this plan includes Urban Poor And Social Assessment, City Governance Framework And Reforms, Capital Investment Plan etc. Recently KMC has launched 1081.1 million 'Suvarna Jayanti Nagarotthan Project

Transportation

Railway

Main article: Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus

• Kolhapur railway station known as Chattrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus is connected to major Indian cities like Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Solapur, Nagpur, Tirupati, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Dhanbad through express trains. There are daily passenger shuttle services between Kolhapur and Miraj.
• The survey of Karad-Kolhapur-Dharwad line and also of Kolhapur-Rajapur (konkan rail) line is going on.

Road

• Kolhapur is connected to Pune, Mumbai to the north and Bengaluru to the south by National Highway 4 which is further extended to Chennai.The city is one of the primary destinations on this highway and a major link city from NH-4 to Konkan and Goa.
• Kolhapur is also connnected to Ratnagiri & sea coast to the west and to the cities like Sangli & Solapur to the east by National Highway 204 which is further connected to Nagpur . Four-Laning of Kolhapur-Sangli Highway is going on.
• Kolhapur is also connected to Goa.
• Kolhapur has three state transport bus stands namely Central Bus Stand (CBS), Rankala Bus Stand & Sambhajinagar Bus Stand.

Local mode of transport includes bus service by Kolhapur Municipal Transport (KMT) which covers all routes inside the city. For quick transport Auto Rikshaw is popular mode of transport.

Air

Main article: Kolhapur Airport

• Kolhapur has a domestic airport at Ujalaiwadi, 9 km South-east from the city. Its sole regular service to Mumbai by Kingfisher Airlines ceased in November 2011 when the airline pulled out of several towns like Kolhapur due to its financial crisis.
• Now Kolhapur airport is taken under 'Airport Authority of India' in August 2013 for its developement.The development includes extension of runway,night landing facility,boeing planes landing facility and new modern airport building.

Places of interest

Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur.

Town Hall Museum, Kolhapur.

File:Bull statue Kolhapur.JPG

Bull statue at Kaneri Math

• Places for entertainment
  • Gandharva Resort and amusement park, Top Sambhapur
  • Dream world water park at Ramanmala
  • Kent Club at Sadale Madale Village
  • Sidhagiri Wax Museum(Gram-Jeevan Museum)at Kaneri
  • Dakkhan Kedar Shri Jyotiba
  • Shivtej water park and museum,panhala

• Temples
  • Mahalakshmi Temple
  • Khidrapur (Kopeshwar Shiva Temple)
  • Jyotiba
  • Narsinhwadi
  • Kashi Vishveshwar Temple
  • Bahubali
  • Katyayani Devi
  • Tembalai alias Tryamboli
  • Radha Krishna Temple
  • Kaneri Math
  • Shankaracharya Cloister (Math)
  • Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir

• City of Lakes
  • Rankala lake
  • Kalamba lake

• Rivers
  • Panchganga

• Historical places
  • Panhala Fort
  • Vishalgad, pavankhind
  • samaangad
  • Bhudargad
  • paargad
  • Dajipur Bison Sanctuary
  • New Palace,Raman Mala, Kolhapur
  • Bhavani Mandap
  • Shalini Palace, Kolhapur
  • Chandrakant Mandare museum
  • Town Hall museum
  • Motibag Talim
  • Shivaji University
  • Khasbaug Talim
  • Giroli Tourist Park
  • Barkhi
  • Ramtirth, Ajara
  • Radhanagari Damagan Bawda

Rankala lake panorama

See also

• Bhonsle
• Maratha
• Maratha Empire
• List of Maratha dynasties and states
• Kolhapur Municipal Corporation

References

• Kolhapur bazar in 1894
• "Kolhapur State". [[The Imperial Gazetteer of India]], Vol. 15. Oxford at Clarendon Press. 1909. pp. 380–87. {{cite book}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)

External links

• जिल्हा परिषद कोल्हापूर
• Kolhapur Municipal Corporation
• Kolhapur tourist information
• http://urbanindia.nic.in/programme/uwss/CSP/Draft_CSP/Kolhapur_CSP.pdf