Kolhapur is connected to important cities like Mumbai and Pune and is situated on the river banks of Panchganga river. One can reach the destination from either side of the two important cities.

Kolhapur has been an ideal platform for art and drama especially fine arts justified by their contributions in marathi cinema, music and painting in the art galleries. Excavations carried in 1945 reveal the tale of the city with healthy relations and influence of foreign cultures like Roman empire. The mythological importance counts on the fact that some of the oldest temples are present in the city.

Kolhapur as a tourist destination has many things to offer; places like ancient monuments, the Marathi cinema, famous Kolhapuri leather chappal, Kusti (wrestling sport) and a flourishing industry. Kolhapur is bestowed with the pleasant climate and that makes it worth going for a picnic except in rainy season. Safe drinking water is not a problem: thanks to the Maharaj who built the Radhanagari dam somewhat towards the end of 19th century .

Kolhapur contributes a lot in supplying the milk products to the region as well the rest of India, no wonder why the sport like kusti is legendry to the region. It’s a prosperous centre with majority employed in sugarcane cultivation and processing and industries like cotton, textiles, tobacco. The region is also a major bauxite producing centre. The Warma region in Kolhapur has the distinction of being the first wired village in India.

Tourist Attractions:

Mahalaxmi Temple:

Kolhapur, also known as Dakshin Kashi (Varanasi of South) has in it one of the oldest and best known temples – The Mahalaxmi temple. Symbolic to the city, the Mahalaxmi temple houses Goddess Ambabi as diety.
The temple was erected by the Chalukya king Karnadeve in 634 A.D. There is also prsesence of Budhist remains and Stupa with the inscriptions of Asoka period. The temple is a conspicous and dominant figure in the old city. Five worship services are offered each day with the first starting at 5 a.m. The western entrance is the main entrance.

Old Palace:
Old Palace houses the piantings and stuffed animal which are regularly visited by tourists and students.

The Old Palace, now a known museum, houses products like painting and stuffed animals. The Kolhapur also showcases artefacts of bronze and pottery and exacavated products from Brahmapuri hill.

One remarkable thing about the Brahmapuri hill is that it contains a small bronze idol of the Greek God Poseidon holding a trident like the one held by Shiva.

Panhala :

Panhala, a hill station is frequently visited hill station. It is 18 km north west of Kollahpur. The hill has the history as being the stronghold of Raja Bhoj II somewhere round 1192. The cover was first captured by the Mughals followed by Mararthas and at the last by the British. Pawala caves and Budhist caves are quite close to the hills.

A number of hotels provide the services for accommodation and cuisine. Hotel Pearl, Hotel Woodland and Hotel Panchsil are some prime luxury hotels. Hotel Pearl (**) is located at New Shahpuri, Kolhapur; Hotel Woodland (**) at 204 B-E Ward Tarabi Park and Hotel Panchsil at 517 A/2 Shivaji Park.

Kolahpur is connected with other cities through railway lines, highway and an airport base. The railway station is in the vicinity of bust standand towards the centre of town. The lines connnects Kolhapur with Mumbai and Pune.Daily Konya Express and Mahalaxmi Express are important ones. It takes some 11 hours from Mumbai to Kolhapur and some 8 hours From Pune. Ujail airport is the nearest and about 10 kms from Kolhapur.