Kolhapur Introduction
Kolhapur is a historic city nestled in the great Sahyadri Mountain Ranges. It is famous for its handicrafts, Kolhapuri chappals, temples, forts, etc. Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the Panchganga River and perfectly showcases the rich Maharashtrian culture. The beautiful city of Kolhapur is about 400 Km from Mumbai. Today, the city is home to many agro-based industries. The land here is rich in natural resources like fertile soil, water, and minerals. This gives the place an edge in attracting people from all the corners of India. Kolhapur is also the center for Marathi Film Industry. The city is well connected by buses, trains, and air travel services.
Places To See In Kolhapur
The ancient city packs many tourist attractions. The region is more popular for its temples and forts. The following places are worth visiting when you are in Kolhapur.
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Mahalaxmi Temple
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Panhala Fort
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Narsinhwadi Datta Mandir
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Kaneri Math
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Rankala Lake
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Jyotiba Temple
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Maharaja’s Palace
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Siddhagiri Museum
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Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary
There are numerous other things to explore in Kolhapur. The world-famous Kalhapuri SAAJ (Traditional Necklace), jaggery, leather products, and wrestling are a must-have experience.
Narsobachi Wadi Introduction
Narsobachi Wadi is a peaceful town in Shirol Tehsil of Kolhapur district. The place gets its name from the existence of Shri Narasimha Saraswati, the avatar of Lord Dattatreya. It is believed that Shri Narsimha Saraswati lived here for 12 years. This Wadi holds a great archaeological value. There is also a splendid confluence of two sacred rivers, Panchganga and Krishna.
The Jyoitba temple in Narsobachi Wadi is very famous amongst the devotees of Mahalaxmi, the goddess of health, wealth and prosperity. It is believed that when Goddess Mahalaxmi settled in Kolhapur she appointed four guards. The lead guard was the Jyotiba. This is the reason this particular place has so much significance.
Khidrapur Introduction
Khidrapur is about 60 Km east of Kolhapur. A place full of serenity situated on the banks of Krishna River! There is a 12th-century temple here dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kopeshwar (wrathful God) temple. The temple gets its unusual name as it is believed that Lord Vishnu once brought infuriated Lord Shiva to Khidrapur to calm him down. When you enter the temple you are welcomed by Lord Vishnu in Ling form instead of a Shivaling. This is unique and never seen in any other Shiva temples. One more fascinating fact is that there is no Nandi inside this temple. All these incredible facts and stories make Khidrapur a must-visit destination.
Itinerary
A typical itinerary from Mumbai is shared below:
Day 0:
20:30 - Departure from Mumbai by train
Day 1:
07:30 - Reach Kolhapur Railway Station
08:30 - Check-In at the Hotel
10:00 - Leave for Mahalaxmi temple after breakfast
13:30 - Lunch
14:30 - Leave for Jyotiba temple at Narsobachi Wadi
18:30 - Return to Hotel
Day 2:
10:00 - Leave for Khidrapur temple after breakfast
13:30 - Lunch
14:30 - Local sightseeing including Kaneri Math
18:30 - Return to Hotel
20:00 - Check out
21:00 - Board the train for Mumbai
Day 3:
08:00 - Reach Mumbai Railway Station
The tour to Kolhapur, Jyotiba Narsobachi Wadi and Khidrapur is best experienced with family and friends. The ideal time to visit is from August to December.
