Kolhapur facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kolhapur
City
Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur Reliance Mega Mall Kolhapur National Highway-4 Jotiba temple New Palace, Kolhapur Rankala Lake
Nickname(s):  Karveer
Kolhapur Location in Maharashtra Show map of Maharashtra Kolhapur Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
Taluka	Karveer
Founded by	Shilahara
Government
• Type	Municipal Corporation
• Body	KMC
Area
• City	66.82 km2 (25.80 sq mi)
• Metro	204.12 km2 (78.81 sq mi)
Elevation	545.6 m (1,790.0 ft)
Population  (2011)
• City	561,489
• Rank	India: 80th Maharashtra: 11th
• Density	8,403.0/km2 (21,763.7/sq mi)
• Metro	985,736
Demonym(s)	Kolhapurkar, Kolhapuri
Official
• Language	Marathi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	416001-10
Telephone code	0231
Vehicle registration	MH-09

Kolhapur is an important city in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It sits on the banks of the Panchganga River.

For many centuries, Kolhapur has been a center for history, religion, and culture. It is famous for its special food, known as Kolhapuri cuisine. People often call Kolhapur "Dakshin Kashi" or "Mahateerth" because of its rich spiritual past. The city has also been known by other names like Kollagiri and Kollpur, which mean "valley." Around 2 CE, its name was 'Kuntal'.

Kolhapur is called Dakshin Kashi (or Kashi of the South) because of its ancient and spiritual Ambabai temple. The area is also known for its unique, handmade leather slippers called Kolhapuri chappal. These slippers even have a special Geographical Indication tag since 2019. In old Hindu stories, the city is sometimes called "Karvir."

Before India became independent in 1947, Kolhapur was a princely state. It was ruled by the Bhosale Chhatrapati family, who were part of the Maratha Confederacy. Today, Kolhapur is also a key place for the Marathi film industry.

The Story Behind the Name: Kolhapur

Kolhapur gets its name from Kolhasur, a demon from Hindu stories. Legend says that Kolhasur's sons were killed by the gods because they were bothering people. After this, Kolhasur prayed to the goddess Mahalakshmi. He asked her to leave the area to him for 100 years.

During this time, Kolhasur caused a lot of trouble. But after 100 years, the goddess returned. She killed him for all his bad deeds. Kolhasur's last wish was for the place to be named after him. The goddess agreed, and so the area became Kolhapur. 'Kolha' comes from Kolhasur, and 'pur' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'city'.

Old stone writings from the Shilahar kingdom, which ruled here from 800 to 1200 CE, mention this area as 'kshullakpur' and 'Kalapuri'. 'Kalapuri' meant a city with beautifully carved temples. You can still find this history in ancient Jain temples and monasteries near the Ambabai temple.

Kolhapur's Past: A Journey Through Time

Mahalakshmi, a Hindu goddess

Early History and Dynasties

The Shilahara family started a kingdom in Kolhapur around the time the Rashtrakuta Empire fell. They ruled over southern Maharashtra, including areas like Satara and Kolhapur. Their special goddess was Ambabai. They believed she blessed them. The Shilaharas of Kolhapur also said they came from Vidyadhara Jimutavahana, a Jain scholar. Their flag had a golden Garuda bird on it.

Their first capital was probably at Karad. Later, they moved their capital to Kolhapur. This branch of the Shilaharas ruled southern Maharashtra from about 940 CE to 1220 CE. They even used Kannada as an official language for some time.

Around 1055 CE, during the rule of Bhoja I (Shilahara dynasty), a wise spiritual leader named Maghanandi started a religious school. Kings and nobles of the Shilahara dynasty were his students.

Kolhapur was also a place where big battles happened. The Western Chalukya Empire and the Chola empire often fought here. In 1052 CE, after a battle, the Chola king Rajendra Chola II marched to Kolhapur and built a jayastambha (victory pillar).

Between 1109 and 1178 CE, the Kopeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built by Shilahara kings in Khidrapur, near Kolhapur.

Kolhapur as a State

Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, Maharajah of Kolhapur

The state of Kolhapur was formed in 1707 by Tarabai. This happened during a disagreement over who should rule the Maratha kingdom. Later, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj became a very important king. He worked hard to provide free education for everyone, no matter their caste or religion. He also fought against untouchability.

In the 19th century, the British took control of the state. After India became independent in 1947, the Maharaja of Kolhapur joined the country. Kolhapur is still sometimes called Dakshin Kashi or the Kashi of the South because of its deep religious history.

Kolhapur's Location and Surroundings

The Panchganga river at Kolhapur

Kolhapur is a city located inland in the southwest part of Maharashtra state. It is about 373 kilometers (232 miles) south of Mumbai and 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Pune. The city is in the Sahayadri mountains, which are part of the Western Ghats, at a height of about 569 meters (1,867 feet).

Nearby attractions include the Tambraparni river dam, Radhanagari and Kalambawadi dams. The hill forts of Panhala and Jyotiba Temple are also close to Kolhapur.

Weather in Kolhapur

Rankala Lake in the morning

Kolhapur has a climate that mixes features of both coastal and inland areas. Temperatures usually range between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius (50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

• Summer: Summers are cooler but more humid than other inland cities. High temperatures are usually between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius (91 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit). Lows are around 24 to 26 degrees Celsius (75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Rainy Season: From June to September, Kolhapur gets a lot of rain because it's close to the Western Ghats. These heavy rains can sometimes cause serious floods, as seen in 2005, 2006, 2019, and 2021. During this season, temperatures are lower, between 19 and 30 degrees Celsius (66 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Winter: Winter is from November to February. Unlike some other cities in Maharashtra, Kolhapur's winters are warmer. Lows are from 9 to 16 degrees Celsius (48 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit), and highs are from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius (75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit). The air is less humid, making the weather pleasant.

Kolhapur City at night from Rankala lake

Kolhapur has been ranked as the 28th best "National Clean Air City" in India for cities with 3-10 lakh (300,000-1,000,000) people.

Rivers and Lakes

The Panchganga River starts in the Western Ghats. It has five smaller rivers that flow into it, which provide water to Kolhapur and the surrounding areas. These are the Bhogavati, Tulsi, Kumbhi, Kasari, and Dhamani rivers.

Kolhapur also has several lakes. The Rankala Lake was once a stone quarry. The Kalamba lake was built in 1873. Both these lakes supply drinking water to the city.

Rankala lake panorama

How Kolhapur is Governed

The world's first statue of B. R. Ambedkar, a bust put up in 1950 at Bindu Chowk in Kolhapur.

Kolhapur is managed by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). The city is divided into five areas, from A to E. The KMC provides services like sewage treatment and free cremation. They have also worked on projects like improving roads and managing storm water.

One challenge for the KMC is that the city's official boundaries haven't grown since 1972. This means Kolhapur cannot get help from certain government programs. To help with this, the Kolhapur Municipal and Regional Development Authority was created in 2017. This group helps manage Kolhapur city and 42 nearby villages to ensure balanced development.

People of Kolhapur

According to the 2011 census of India, Kolhapur city had a population of 549,236 people. The larger 'Kolhapur Municipal and Regional Development Authority' area had 561,837 people. Kolhapur has a high Human Development Index, which shows a good quality of life for its residents.

The main religion in Kolhapur is Hinduism.

Kolhapur's Economy

DYP City Mall, Kolhapur

Reliance Mega mall at Kolhapur

Kolhapur's economy is strong, with its people earning more on average than the state's average. The city has many industries that make car parts, castings, and other metal products. These businesses support bigger industries in nearby cities like Pune and Bangalore.

Kolhapur is an industrial city with about 300 foundries (places where metal is melted and shaped). These foundries export goods worth 15 billion rupees each year. Big companies like Kirloskar group (making oil engines) and Raymond (making clothes) have factories near Kolhapur. The city also has other industrial areas like Gokul-Shirgaon MIDC and Shiroli MIDC. Shivaji Udyamnagar is an old industrial area known for making oil engines for over 100 years.

The city is famous for the Kolhapuri chappal. These are handmade slippers made from buffalo leather, colored with natural dyes. You can buy them on Mahadwar road. Other local crafts include:

• Hand block printing on fabrics
• Making jewelry from silver, beads, and paste
• Pottery and wood carving
• Lacquerware (decorated wooden items)
• Brass sheet work and oxidized silver art
• Lace and embroidery making

Kolhapuri jewelry includes special necklaces like the Kolhapuri saaj, wide bangles called patlya, chokers called chinchpeti, and nose rings called nath.

Things to See and Do in Kolhapur

Kolhapur is a popular place for tourists, with about three million visitors every year. The city has many temples, with six being the most famous: Ambabai, Temblai, Vithoba, Mahakali, Phiranga, and Yallamma temples.

Other popular attractions in Kolhapur include:

• Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
• Jyotiba Temple
• Panhala Fort
• Kaneri Math
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  Jyotiba Temple, Kolhapur
• New Palace
• Temblai temple complex
• Rankala Lake
• The Tara Rani equestrian statue (a statue of a queen on horseback)
• A giant 85-foot (26-meter) idol of Lord Ganesh at the Chinmaya Mission.

The special Kolhapur Maybach car, which belonged to the old rulers, is shown to the public during the yearly Dusshera parade.

Kolhapur's Film Industry

A Memorial to Baburao Painter in Kolhapur

On December 1, 1917, the Maharashtra Film Company was started in Kolhapur by Baburao Painter. Since then, Kolhapur has become a main center for the Marathi film industry. The city hosts many film festivals, including the Kolhapur International Film Festival. The Kolhapur film city was updated in 2017.

Delicious Kolhapuri Food

Kolhapuri Misal

Kolhapuri Bhel

Kolhapuri food is famous for its mutton dishes and the spicy misal. The city also gives its name to certain foods and ingredients, such as:

• Kolhapuri lavangi (chili peppers)
• Kolhapuri jaggery (a type of unrefined sugar)
• Kolhapuri masala (a special spice blend)
• Kolhapuri chutney (an onion garlic sauce)

Kolhapuri cuisine also includes two special soup-like curries called Pandhara Rassa and Tambda Rassa. These are often served as part of a Thali (a plate with various dishes).

• Pandhara Rassa means "white curry." It's a soup made from mutton stock and coconut milk, flavored with spices like cinnamon, coriander, ginger, and garlic. It can be eaten as a starter or part of the main meal.
• Tambda Rassa means "red curry." It's a spicier version of the dish, made with red chilies instead of coconut milk.

Kolhapuri Mutton plate with Tambada and Pandhara Rassa (outside the plate).

News and Communication

Kolhapur's main newspaper is the Pudhari. Other Marathi language newspapers include Sakal, Loksatta, Lokmat, Kesari, Saamna, Tarun Bharat, and Punyanagari.

For English news, you can read The Times of India (Kolhapur edition), The Indian Express, Business Standard, and The Economic Times.

Kolhapur also has several FM radio stations, including Tomato FM (94.3 MHz), Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Radio City (95 MHz), Big FM (92.7 MHz), and All India Radio FM (102.7 MHz).

Sports in Kolhapur

The most popular sports in Kolhapur are wrestling (called Kushti), football, and kabaddi.

Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium is known as the wrestling capital of India. Kolhapur has a long history of kushti (wrestling) and has produced many great wrestlers. The sport became very popular during the rule of Shahu of Kolhapur (1894–1922). He built many wrestling training centers called Akharas or Taleems across Kolhapur. He also organized wrestling tournaments, inviting wrestlers from all over India. Today, Kolhapur's wrestling culture is strong, with many Taleems like Gangavesh taleem and Motibag taleem.

Some famous wrestlers from Kolhapur include:

• Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first individual Olympian.
• Shripati Khanchnale, India's first Hind Kesari (a top wrestling title).
• Rustam-e-Hind Dadu Chougule.

Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium is a football stadium in Kolhapur. Khasbag Wrestling Stadium, India's largest wrestling stadium, is also in Kolhapur.

Other notable athletes from Kolhapur include:

• B.B. Nimbalkar (former Ranji cricketer)
• Suhas Khamkar (Mr. Asia winner)
• Virdhawal Khade (Indian Olympian in swimming)
• Tejaswini Sawant (world championship gold medalist shooter)
• Rahi Sarnobat (Asian Gold medalist in shooting)
• Rucha Pujari (chess player)
• Aniket Jadhav (played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017)

Getting Around Kolhapur

Trains

Kolhapur railway station

The Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus connects Kolhapur by train to major Indian cities. There are express trains to miraj, Sangli, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. A daily shuttle train runs between Kolhapur and Miraj, which is a main railway hub. A local train also runs daily from Kolhapur to Sangli railway station.

A new railway line from Miraj through Kolhapur to Vaibhavwadi has been approved. This will connect Kolhapur and other towns to India's western coast.

Roads

Kolhapur is located on National Highway 4 (now NH 48) and National Highway 204. It is 55 kilometers (34 miles) from Sangli City and 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Pune.

The city has three state transport bus stands:

• Central Bus Stand (CBS)
• Rankala Bus Stand
• Sambhajinagar Bus Stand

Kolhapur Municipal Transport (KMT) provides local bus services within the city. The CBS of Kolhapur is one of the busiest bus stands in western Maharashtra, with over 50,000 travelers daily.

NH 4, (Now NH 48) near the city

Airport

New Terminal at Kolhapur Airport

Kolhapur's domestic airport, also known as Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, is about 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) southeast of the city.

Indigo airlines has daily flights to Hyderabad Airport and Tirupati Airport. They also fly three times a week to Ahmedabad Airport. Star Air flies to Mumbai Airport three times a week. The airport's runway is being expanded, and a new terminal building is being built.

The closest international airports to Kolhapur are Pune International Airport (240 km or 149 miles away) and Goa International Airport (220 km or 137 miles away).

Learning and Education

Kolhapur has many educational institutions. You can study engineering, medicine, management, pharmacy, and agriculture here. Shivaji University is located in Kolhapur city. There are also international schools and a special training center for students preparing for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) exams. This training center is on the Rajaram college campus. Students get admission to this center based on their scores in an entrance exam. Kolhapur attracts students from all over India and even from Africa.

Languages Spoken

The main language spoken in Kolhapur is Marathi.

Famous People from Kolhapur

• Shahu of Kolhapur – A Maharaja and a social reformer.
• Tarabai – A Maratha queen and warrior.
• Ramchandra Pant Amatya – One of Shivaji's main advisors.
• Santaji Ghorpade – A Maratha warrior.
• Bhalji Pendharkar – An award-winning film director.
• Nanda – A film actress.
• Sudhir Phadke – A singer and composer.
• Suresh Wadkar – A playback singer.
• Jayant Narlikar – An Indian astrophysicist.
• V. Shantaram – An Indian filmmaker, producer, and actor.
• Shivaji Sawant – An Indian novelist.
• Ranjit Desai – A popular Marathi writer.
• Master Vinayak – An Indian actor and film director.
• Suniti Ashok Deshpande – An Indian educator, writer, and translator.
• Leena Nair – CEO of Chanel.
• D. Y. Patil – An Indian politician and educator.
• Arun Sarnaik – An actor and singer.
• Dhondutai Kulkarni – An Indian classical singer.
• Govindrao Tembe – A music composer.
• B. B. Nimbalkar – An Indian cricketer.
• Dhananjay Mahadik – An Indian politician.
• Chandrakant Patil – An Indian politician.
• Ramesh Deo – An Indian film and television actor.
• Vasantrao Ghatge – An Indian entrepreneur and professor.
• Jagdish Khebudkar – A Marathi writer and lyricist.
• Ashutosh Gowariker – An Indian film director, actor, and producer.
• Madhavrao Bagal – A writer, artist, journalist, and freedom fighter.
• Anant Mane – A film director.
• Satej Patil – A politician.
• Padmini Kolhapure – A film actress.
• Shruti Sadolikar – An Indian classical singer.
• Sadashivrao Dadoba Mandlik – A former Member of Parliament.
• Sanjay Mandlik – A Member of Parliament.
• Bhanu Athaiya – An Indian costume designer.
• Sangram Chougule – A bodybuilder, Mr Universe winner.
• Suhas Khamkar – A bodybuilder.
• K. D. Jadhav – An Indian freestyle wrestler and Olympic bronze medalist.
• Swapnil Kusale – A sport shooter and Olympic bronze medalist.

Images for kids

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  Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur

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  New Palace, Kolhapur

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  Reliance Mega Mall Kolhapur

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  National Highway-4

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  Jotiba temple

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  Rankala Lake

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  Mahalakshmi, Hindu goddess

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  The Panchganga river at Kolhapur

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  Rankala Lake at morning

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  Kolhapur City at night from Rankala lake

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  The world's first statue of B. R. Ambedkar, a bust erected in 1950 at Bindu Chowk in Kolhapur.

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  DYP City Mall, Kolhapur

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  Reliance Mega mall at Kolhapur

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  Jyotiba Temple, Kolhapur

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  A Memorial to Baburao Painter in Kolhapur

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  Kolhapuri Misal

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  Kolhapuri Bhel

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  Kolhapuri Mutton plate with Tambada and Pandhara Rassa (outside the plate).

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  Kolhapur railway station

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  NH 4, (Now NH 48) near the city

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  New Terminal at Kolhapur Airport

See also

In Spanish: Kolhapur para niños