kolhapur

Kolhapur is named after Kolhasur, a demon in Hindu History.{{Cite book|last=Malgonkar|first=Manohar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h1ADAAAAMAAJ|title=Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur|date=1971|publisher=Popular Prakashan|pages=2}} According to legend, the demon Kolhasur renounced asceticism after his sons were killed by the gods for harassing people. He prayed to Mahalakshmi, requesting that she leave the area to him for a hundred years. He committed numerous crimes during this period until the goddess returned after the hundred years were over and killed him for his sins.{{Cite book|last=Doniger|first=Wendy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-kZFzHCuiFAC&pg=PA178|title=Purana Perennis: Reciprocity and Transformation in Hindu and Jaina Texts|date=1993-01-01|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-1381-4|pages=178}}{{Cite web|title=Mythology|url=http://www.ambabai.com/mythology.html|access-date=2018-02-19|website=Ambabai Mahalaxmi Kolhapur}} Kolhasur's dying wish was to name the place after him, a request granted, and the area was named Kolhapur. 'Kolha' represents Kolhasur, and 'pur,' a Sanskrit word, means 'city.'

Stone inscriptions from the Shilahar kingdom, which ruled this region from 8–12 C.A.D., mention this area as 'kshullakpur' (the first stage of Jain monkhood) and 'Kalapuri,' a city with beautifully carved temples. This historical information is preserved in Shilahar-era ancient Jain matha and temples near the Ambabai temple.

File:Mahalaxmi of Kolhapur.jpg, Hindu goddess]]

The Shilahara family founded a dynasty at Kolhapur about the time of the downfall of the Rashtrakuta Empire, that ruled over southern Maharashtra including the modern districts of Satara, Kolhapur and Belagavi (Karnataka). Their family deity was the goddess Ambabai, whose blessing they claimed to have secured in their copperplate grants (Mahalakshmi-labdha-vara-prasada). Like their relatives of the northern branch of Konkan, the Shilaharas of Kolhapur claimed to be of the lineage of Vidyadhara Jimutavahana, a Jain scholar. Their banner featured a golden Garuda. One of the many titles used by the Shilaharas was Tagarapuravaradhisvara, supreme sovereign ruler of Tagara.

The first capital of the Shilaharas was probably at Karad during the reign of Jatiga II, as known from their copper plate grant of Miraj and 'Vikramankadevacharita' of Bilhana. Hence, they are referred to sometimes as the 'Shilaharas of Karad'.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wf0MAQAAMAAJ|title=Bombay Geographical Magazine|date=1953|publisher=Bombay Geographical Association.|pages=7}} Later, although the capital was shifted to Kolhapur, some of their grants mention Valavada and the hill fort of Pranalaka or Padmanala (Panhala) as the places of royal residence. Karhad retained its significance during the Shilahara period. This branch rose to power in the latter part of the Rashtrakuta rule and unlike the kings of the other two branches, this branch does not allude to the genealogy of the Rashtrakutas even in their early grants. They acknowledged the suzerainty of the later Chalukya dynasty for some time. They had used Kannada as an official language as can be seen from their inscriptions. The branch held southern Maharashtra from circa 940 to 1220.

From 940 to 1212 CE, Kolhapur was the centre of power of the Shilahara dynasty.Bhavan B. V. "Temples and legends of Maharashtra." 1962 volume 97. An inscription at Terdal states that the king Gonka (1020 – 1050 CE) was bitten by a snake then healed by a Jain monk. Gonka then built a temple to Lord Neminath, the twenty-second Jain tirthankara (enlightened being). From this era, Jain temples in and around Kolhapur are called Gonka-Jinalaya.

Around 1055 CE, during the reign of Bhoja I (Shilahara dynasty), a dynamic Acharya (spiritual guide) named Maghanandi (Kolapuriya) founded a religious institute at the Rupanarayana Jain temple (basadi). Maghanandi is also known as Siddhanta-Chakravarti, meaning the great master of the scriptures. Kings and nobles of the Shilahara dynasty such as Gandaraditya I, who succeeded Bhoja I, were disciples of Maghanandi.

Kolhapur was the site of intense confrontation between the Western Chalukya Empire and Rajadhiraja Chola and his younger brother Rajendra Chola II of the Chola empire. In 1052 CE, following the Battle of Koppam, the victor, Rajendra Chola II, marched on to Kolhapur and erected a jayastambha (victory pillar).

Sastri K. A. N. "The CōĻas." 1935 p. 256–257 (University of Madras, 2000).

Between 1109 and 1178 CE, the Kopeshwar temple to Lord Shiva was built by Shilahara kings, Gandaraditya I, Vijayaditya, and Bhoja II in Khidrapur, Kolhapur.{{cite book |last1=Kanhere |first1=Gopal Krishna |title=The Temples of Maharashtra |date=1989 |publisher=Maharashtra Information Centre (Directorate-General of Information and Public Relations, Bombay), Government of Maharashtra |pages=105 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CpwjAAAAMAAJ}}

File:Maharajah of Kolhapur 1912.jpg

{{Main|Kolhapur State}}

The state of Kolhapur was established by Tarabai in 1707 in the midst of a succession dispute over the Maratha crown. The Maratha throne was then occupied by descendants of Tarabai. One of the prominent Kings was Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj. In his reign, he promoted free education to people of all castes, religions and fought against untouchability. The state was annexed by the British in the 19th century. After India's independence in 1947, the Maharaja of Kolhapur acceded to the Dominion of India on 14 August 1947 and merged with Bombay State on 1 March 1949. Kolhapur is sometimes found spelled as Colapore.{{cite book|title=Hertslet's Commercial Treaties|date=1900|publisher=Foreign Office, Great Britain|location=Great Britain|pages=1167|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SBUfAQAAMAAJ&q=Colapore&pg=PA1167|access-date=7 September 2015}} Often, Kolhapur is also referred as Dakshin Kashi or the Kashi of the South, due to its rich religious history.

Kolhapur is mentioned in the Devi Gita, the final chapter of the Devi-Bhagavata Purana, a text of Shaktism. Kolhapur is noted as a place of Kollamma worship. In the text, Devi says,

:"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 Ambabai always dwells."Chatterji H. P. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dg/dg08.htm "Devi Gita, the vow and the sacred places of the Devi."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012124820/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dg/dg08.htm|date=12 October 2013}} The Devi Gita (Song of the Goddess), excerpt from Srimad Devi Bhagawatam, translated by the Vijnanananda (Hari Prasanna Chatterji), 1921, chapter 38 verse 3 – 10. "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 Kolhapura in the southern country. Here the Devi Ambabai always dwells. The second place is Mahur, Maharashtra|Matripura in the Sahyadri mountain; here the Devi Renuka dwells."

File:PanchgangaRiverAtKolhapur.jpg

Kolhapur is an inland city located in south-west Maharashtra state, {{cvt|373|km}} south of Mumbai and {{cvt|230|km}} south of Pune, {{cvt|613.8|km}} north-west of Bengaluru, {{cvt|552|km}} west of Hyderabad and {{cvt|47|km}} west of Sangli city. Within Maharashtra, Kolhapur's nearest cities and towns are Ichalkaranji {{cvt|27|km}}, Jaysingpur {{cvt|13|km}},Kodoli {{cvt|35|km}}, Peth Vadgaon {{cvt|15|km}} Kagal {{cvt|21|km}}, Kasaba Walva {{cvt|30|km}}, Satara {{cvt|115|km}}. It lies in the Sahayadri mountains in the Western Ghats at an elevation of {{cvt|569|m}}.[https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=%3BFY3J_gAdH5tsBA&q=kolhapur&sll=37.579413,-95.712891&sspn=50.621957,79.013672&ie=UTF8&z=13&iwloc=A&saddr=hyderabad&daddr=Kolhapur,+Maharashtra,+India "Kolhapur"] Google Maps. Tambraparni river dam near Umgaon village is close by, as also are Radhanagari and Kalambawadi dams. Panhala {{cvt|21.5|km}} and Jyotiba Temple {{cvt|21.7|km}} are in the vicinity of Kolhapur too.

File:Rankala Lake .jpg

Kolhapur's climate is a blend of coastal and inland elements common to Maharashtra. The temperature ranges between {{cvt|10 and 35|°C}}. Summer in Kolhapur is comparatively cooler, but much more humid, than neighbouring inland cities. Maximum temperatures rarely exceed {{cvt|35|°C}} and typically range between {{cvt|33 and 35|°C}}. Lows during this season are around {{cvt|24 to 26|°C}}.

The city receives abundant rainfall from June to September, attributed to its proximity to the Western Ghats. These heavy rains often result in severe flooding during these months. Years such as 2005, 2006, 2019, and 2021 experienced significant floods. Temperatures are lower in the rainy season, ranging between {{convert|19|and|30|C|F}}.

Kolhapur experiences winter from November to February. Unlike other cities in Maharashtra, such as Pune and Nashik, its winter temperatures are relatively warmer. Lows range from {{convert|9|to|16|C|F}}, while highs are in the range of {{convert|24|to|32|C|F}}, owing to its high elevation and proximity to the Western Ghats. The low humidity during this season contributes to pleasant weather.

File:Kolhapur at night from Rankala.jpg

{{Weather box

| location = Kolhapur (1991–2020, extremes 1946–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 35.4

| Feb record high C = 37.8

| Mar record high C = 40.4

| Apr record high C = 41.7

| May record high C = 42.3

| Jun record high C = 40.0

| Jul record high C = 33.3

| Aug record high C = 32.2

| Sep record high C = 35.7

| Oct record high C = 36.5

| Nov record high C = 34.6

| Dec record high C = 35.0

| year record high C = 42.3

| Jan high C = 30.2

| Feb high C = 32.6

| Mar high C = 35.5

| Apr high C = 36.8

| May high C = 35.5

| Jun high C = 30.1

| Jul high C = 26.9

| Aug high C = 26.7

| Sep high C = 28.7

| Oct high C = 30.7

| Nov high C = 30.6

| Dec high C = 29.8

| year high C = 31.2

| Jan low C = 15.5

| Feb low C = 17.0

| Mar low C = 20.1

| Apr low C = 22.1

| May low C = 22.7

| Jun low C = 22.2

| Jul low C = 21.5

| Aug low C = 21.1

| Sep low C = 20.8

| Oct low C = 20.6

| Nov low C = 18.4

| Dec low C = 15.8

| year low C = 19.9

| Jan record low C = 8.7

| Feb record low C = 8.8

| Mar record low C = 12.4

| Apr record low C = 13.8

| May record low C = 16.2

| Jun record low C = 17.6

| Jul record low C = 18.1

| Aug record low C = 18.0

| Sep record low C = 16.4

| Oct record low C = 13.9

| Nov record low C = 9.6

| Dec record low C = 8.6

| year record low C = 8.6

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 0.4

| Feb rain mm = 0.7

| Mar rain mm = 6.6

| Apr rain mm = 19.9

| May rain mm = 37.1

| Jun rain mm = 214.1

| Jul rain mm = 296.5

| Aug rain mm = 227.9

| Sep rain mm = 133.9

| Oct rain mm = 118.5

| Nov rain mm = 19.2

| Dec rain mm = 2.8

| year rain mm = 1077.5

| Jan rain days = 0.0

| Feb rain days = 0.1

| Mar rain days = 0.5

| Apr rain days = 1.5

| May rain days = 2.6

| Jun rain days = 11.6

| Jul rain days = 18.3

| Aug rain days = 16.7

| Sep rain days = 8.9

| Oct rain days = 6.6

| Nov rain days = 1.5

| Dec rain days = 0.2

| year rain days = 68.4

| time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 39

| Feb humidity = 32

| Mar humidity = 32

| Apr humidity = 40

| May humidity = 51

| Jun humidity = 75

| Jul humidity = 84

| Aug humidity = 84

| Sep humidity = 76

| Oct humidity = 62

| Nov humidity = 49

| Dec humidity = 44

| year humidity = 56

| source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Kolhapur Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 423–424

| access-date = 6 April 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M144

| access-date = 6 April 2020}}

}}Kolhapur has been ranked 28th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}

The Panchganga River originates in the Western Ghats. It has five tributaries which supply the city and surroundings – the Bhogavati, Tulsi, Kumbhi, Kasari and Dhamani rivers. Kolhapur has a number of lakes. The Rankala Lake was once a stone quarry.

The Kalamba lake was built in 1873. These two lakes provide the city with domestic potable water. {{wide image|Rankala lake panorama.jpg|1000px|Rankala lake panorama}}

File:Bust of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Bindu Chowk in Kolhapur.jpg, a bust erected in 1950 at Bindu Chowk in Kolhapur.]]

{{Main|Kolhapur Municipal Corporation}}

Kolhapur is governed by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). The city is divided into five wards, named with the letters A to E. The corporation provides services such as sewage treatment and free cremation for residents and has made a number of improvements, for example, the Kolhapur Road Project,[http://www.kolhapurcorporation.gov.in/IRDP4.html "Kolhapur Road Project."] Government of India website. Retrieved 12 September 2017. the Anti-Encroachment Drive to stop illegal building activity encroaching on the city's open spaces, and the Suvarna Jayanti Nagarotthan Project to improve roads and storm water management.[http://www.kolhapurcorporation.gov.in/pdf/short_note_nagarothan_abhiyan_road_and_strom_water.pdf "Kolhapur Nagarothan Abhiya."] Kolhapur Municipal Corporation website. Retrieved 12 September 2017. The KMC faces problems like the civic limits of Kolhapur city which have not expanded since 1972, due to which the city cannot benefit from various government schemes.

The Kolhapur Municipal and Regional Development Authority was established on 16 August 2017. This authority to manage Kolhapur city and 42 villages around it was formed for the balanced development of Kolhapur city and the neighbouring villages.{{cite news|url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/kolhapur-western-maharashtra-news/kolhapur/kolhapur-kolhapur-deveopment-authority-declared/articleshow/60093309.cms|title=कोल्हापूरसाठी प्राधिकरण|work=Maharashtra Times

|date=17 August 2017|access-date=12 September 2017}}

As per the 2011 census of India, the population of Kolhapur city is 549,236 and that in 'Kolhapur Municipal and Regional Development Authority' is 561,837.{{Cite web|url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/maharashtra/kolhapur-western-maharashtra-news/kolhapur/kolhapur-kolhapur-deveopment-authority-declared/articleshow/60093309.cms|title=Kolhapur Regional Development Authority|date=17 August 2017}} Kolhapur has one of the highest Human Development Index ratings among Indian districts, at 0.770 in 2011.{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/District-Wise-Human-Development-Index-HDI-2011_tbl2_343948335|title=Research Gate|date=20 August 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://mahasdb.maharashtra.gov.in/docs/pdf/mhdr_2012.pdf|title=RMaharashtra Human Development Report 2012|date=20 August 2012}} The most common religion in Kolhapur is Hinduism. {{bar box

|title=Religion in Kolhapur City (2011){{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Maharashtra (Town level) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10253/download/13365/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2700.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|83.89}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|10.88}}

{{bar percent|Jainism|yellow|3.35}}

{{bar percent|Others|black|1.87}}

}}

{{Pie chart

|thumb = right

|caption = Languages of Kolhapur City (2011){{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Maharashtra |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10212/download/13324/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2700.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|label1 = Marathi |value1 = 83.70 |color1 = red

|label2 = Hindi |value2 = 9.31 |color2 = orange

|label3 = Urdu |value3 = 2.49 |color3 = green

|label4 = Kannada |value4 = 1.39 |color4 = darkslateblue

|label5 = Gujarati |value5 = 1.08 |color5 = skyblue

|label6 = Telugu |value6 = 0.65 |color6 = steelblue

|label7 = Sindhi |value7 = 0.64 |color7 = limegreen

|label8 = Others |value8 = 0.75 |color8 = grey

}}

File:DYP City Mall, Kolhapur.jpg

File:Reliance Mega Mall Kolhapur.jpg

Kolhapur has a higher per capita domestic product than the state's average. It has auto-ancillary, foundry and casting industrial establishments which act as supporting units for industries in Sangli, Satara, Pune and Bangalore.{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/kolhapur-posts-higher-per-capita-domestic-product-than-states-average/articleshow/46616087.cms|title=Kolhapur posts higher per capita domestic product than state's average|date=19 March 2015|access-date=1 April 2022}}

Kolhapur is also an industrial city with approximately 300 foundries generating exports with a value of 15 billion rupees per year.[http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/midc-to-acquire-1000-acres-for-kagal-park/268529/ "MIDC to acquire 1,000 acres for Kagal park."] Business Standard, 20 December 2006. A manufacturing plant of Kirloskar group kirloskar Oil Engines Limited [KOEL] is set up in the MIDC at Kagal near Kolhapur, as is the Raymond clothes plant. Kolhapur has two more industrial areas, Gokul-Shirgaon MIDC and Shiroli MIDC. Shivaji Udyamnagar is an industrial area in the city with a rich entrepreneurial tradition of more than 100 years and specializing in oil engines.

The city is the home of Kolhapuri chappal, a handcrafted buffalo leather slipper that is locally tanned using vegetable dyes. Kolhapuri slippers are sold on Mahadwar road.{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/Storyold/153909/|title=Kolhapuri chappal to set foot in new markets|work=The Indian Express|date=13 June 2000|access-date=12 September 2017}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20131009020618/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kolhapuri-chappals-comes-easy-on-the-pocket-now/45113-3.html "Kolhapuri chappals come easy on the pocket now."] IBN Live website 17 July 2007. Accessed 21 October 2013.{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/government-unveils-new-trade-policy/958107/4|title=Government unveils new trade policy|work=The Indian Express|date=5 June 2012|access-date=12 September 2017}} Other handicrafts include hand block printing of textiles, silver, bead and paste jewellery crafting, pottery, wood carving and lacquerware, brass sheet work and oxidised silver artwork, and lace and embroidery making.[https://books.google.com/books?id=6ohvu8D3LbgC&pg=PA250 "Maharashtra development report."] Government of India Planning Commission report. Academic Foundation, 2007 {{ISBN|9788171885404}}, Accessed 8 April 2014.

Kolhapuri jewellery includes a type of necklace called Kolhapuri saaj, patlya (two broad bangles), chinchpeti (choker), tanmani (short necklace), nath (nose ring), and bajuband (an amulet).{{Cite news|title=Exploring the Kolhapuri saaj |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/fashion/designers/exploring-the-kolhapuri-saaj/articleshow/29665503.cms|access-date=2021-12-21|website=The Times of India|date=23 February 2014}}

Considering the economic activity, Kolhapur has a large Income Tax office, which collects substantial revenue for the Government of India.

The Bombay Gazetteer recorded almost 250 temples in the region of which 6 – Ambabai, Temblai, Vithoba, Mahakali, Phiranga and Yallamma temples – are considered the most prominent.{{Cite web |title=PrabhupadaBooks.com Srila Prabhupada's Original Books |url=https://prabhupadabooks.com/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=prabhupadabooks.com}} Tourism is an important source of revenue with about three million annual visitors.[http://urbanindia.nic.in/programme/uwss/CSP/Draft_CSP/Kolhapur_CSP.pdf "Kolhapur Municipal Corporation draft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004233747/http://urbanindia.nic.in/programme/uwss/CSP/Draft_CSP/Kolhapur_CSP.pdf |date=4 October 2013 }} Urban India government website, PDF document p10. Kolhapur's attractions include:

• Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur
• Jyotiba Temple
• Panhala Fort
• Kaneri Math
• File:Jotiba temple kolhapur,maharashtra.jpgNew Palace
• Temblai temple complex
• Rankala Lake
• The Tara Rani equestrian statue
• An {{convert|85|ft|m}} idol of the Lord Ganesh at the Chinmaya Mission (Top-Sambhapur).

The Kolhapur Maybach car of the chhatrapatis of Kolhapur is displayed to the public during the annual Dusshera procession.

File:Kolhapur Memorial to Baburao Painter 2012 IMG 1601.jpg

On 1 December 1917, the Maharashtra Film Company was established in Kolhapur by Baburao Painter. The city has become the primary centre for the Marathi film industry. Kolhapur plays host to many film festivals, including the Kolhapur International Film Festival. The Kolhapur film city was renovated in 2017.{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/phase-1-work-of-kolhapur-chitranagari-to-be-completed-by-april-end/articleshow/57008139.cms|author=Piyush Bhusari|title=Phase 1 work of Kolhapur Chitranagari to be completed by April end|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|date=7 February 2017|access-date=12 September 2017}}

File:Kolhapuri misal paav.jpg

File:Rajabhaubhel.jpg

Kolhapur cuisine includes mutton dishes, Kolhapuri misal, and ethnic meat dishesProducts: India and Pakistan. In: Carrick Devine & Michael Dikeman, editors-in-chief. Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences 2e, Vol. 1, Oxford: Elsevier; pp. 538–542.

{{ISBN|9781741791556}}, p183. Accessed at Google Books 7 April 2014.

The city also lends its name to certain types of food and ingredients, such as Kolhapuri lavangi (chili peppers), Kolhapuri jaggery (cane juice concentrate), Kolhapuri masala (spice mixture) and Kolhapuri chutney (onion garlic chutney) which is a staple in gravies and curries.

Kolhapur cuisine also includes soup-like curries called Pandhara Rassa and Tambda Rassa which are served as a part of a Thali. Pandhara Rassa, which can be loosely translated as white curry, is a soup-like dish made from mutton stock and coconut milk infused with spices like cinnamon, coriander, ginger, and garlic. It is served as an appetizer, and also as a part of the main course. Tambda Rassa, red curry, is a spicier form of the dish made by substituting coconut milk with red chillies.Devine C. and Dikeman M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=vL9dAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA540 "Encyclopaedia of meat sciences."] Elsevier, 2014. second edition in three volumes. p540. {{ISBN|9780123847348}}.

File:Dummy 19 W.jpg

Kolhapur's main newspaper is the Pudhari.[http://m.epapersland.com/pudhari-epapper-220.html "Pudhari."] E papers land.com. Retrieved 12 September 2017. Other Marathi language newspapers include Sakal, Loksatta, Lokmat, Kesari, Saamna, Tarun Bharat, and Punyanagari.

The English language dailies include The Times of India (Kolhapur edition), The Indian Express, Business Standard and The Economic Times.

Kolhapur's FM radio services include 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).

Wrestling (known as Kushti in Hindi/Marathi), football and kabaddi are the sports most played in the city.[http://www.reportagebygettyimages.com/features/hanuman-s-army-kushti-wrestlers/ "Hanuman's Army: Kushti Wrestlers."] Reportage at Getty Images website. 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/sainath/the-culture-and-crisis-of-kushti/article5297790.ece|title=The culture and crisis of kushti|last=Sainath|first=P.|date=2013-10-31|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-10-21|issn=0971-751X}}

Chhatrapati Shahu Stadium is known as wrestling capital of India. Kolhapur has a long history of kushti (wrestling) and has produced many wrestlers. The sport flourished during the reign of Shahu of Kolhapur (1894–1922). During this golden age, he built Akharas or Taleems (as they are colloquially called) all over Kolhapur and organized wrestling tournaments, inviting wrestlers from across the Indian sub-continent. Since then, Kolhapur's wrestling culture has been dominated by various Taleems like Gangavesh taleem, Shahupuri taleem, Motibag taleem, etc. More than 70 wrestlers undertake training in each of these.

India's first individual Olympian Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, India's first Hind Kesari Shripati Khanchnale and Rustam-e-Hind Dadu Chougule belonged to Kolhapur.

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

B.B. Nimbalkar (former Ranji cricketer), Suhas Khamkar (Mr. Asia, Winner), Virdhawal Khade (Indian Olympian in swimming), Tejaswini Sawant (Arjuna awardee, world championship gold medalist shooter), Rahi Sarnobat (Arjuna awardee, Asian Gold medalist in shooting), Rucha Pujari (chess – Woman International Master), Shahu Mane also belong to the city. Aniket Jadhav who played the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 is from Kolhapur.

{{Main|Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus|Kolhapur Airport}}

File:Kolhapur railway station.jpg

The Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus links Kolhapur via rail to India's major cities with express services to miraj, Sangli, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi. A daily shuttle service connects Kolhapur with the main rail hub of Miraj on the Central Railway main line. A daily DEMU local train also runs from Kolhapur to Sangli railway station.

A new railway route from Miraj via Kolhapur until Vaibhavwadi has been confirmed, which will connect Kolhapur and many other towns with to the Western coastal region of India.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/centre-sanctions-rs-250-crore-for-kolhapur-vaibhavwadi-rail-route/articleshow/56976702.cms|title=Centre sanctions Rs 250 crore for Kolhapur-Vaibhavwadi rail route|work=The Times of India|agency=TNN|date=12 February 2017|access-date=12 September 2017}}

Kolhapur is located on National Highway 4 and National Highway 204. Kolhapur is 55 km from Sangli City and 200 km from Pune. The city has three state transport bus stands: Central Bus Stand (CBS), Rankala Bus Stand and Sambhajinagar Bus Stand. Kolhapur Municipal Transport (KMT) provides local bus services. The CBS of Kolhapur is the busiest bus stand in western Maharashtra with more than 50,000 commutators a day.

File:National Highway-4 kolhapur.jpg, (Now NH 48) near the city]]

File:New Terminal Kolhapur Airport.jpg

Kolhapur's domestic airport, also known as Chhatrapati Rajaram Maharaj Airport, is located {{convert|9|km|mi}} south east of the city at Ujalaiwadi.

Indigo operates daily flights to Hyderabad Airport and Tirupati Airport as well as three times a week to Ahmedabad Airport. Star Air operates flights three times in a week to Mumbai Airport. Expansion of runway and construction of airport terminal building is in progress.{{Cite news |date=13 January 2024 |title=Will seek land for expansion of runway in Kolhapur: Scindia |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/kolhapur-airport-expansion-scindia-seeks-land-transfer-for-runway-expansion/articleshow/106798232.cms |access-date=27 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

The nearest international airports to Kolhapur are Pune International Airport ({{cvt|240|km|disp=sqbr}}) and Goa International Airport ({{cvt|220|km|disp=sqbr}}).

Kolhapur has educational institutions for engineering, medicine, management studies, pharmaceutical sciences and agriculture. Shivaji University is located in Kolhapur city. There are international schools and a pre-IAS training centre. The pre-IAS training centre is in Rajaram college campus. The admissions to pre-IAS centre are allotted by merit through an entrance exam. The city attracts students form all over India and Africa.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}

The Marathi language is the main language spoken in Kolhapur.

{{cite web|url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/cold-wave/article/kolhapur-has-its-own-linguistic-style/articleshow/57944822.cms|title=बेधडक वळणाची कोल्हापुरी बोली|work=Maharashtra Times|date=1 April 2017|access-date=12 September 2017}}

The Kolhapur jaggery is a variety of jaggery made from fresh sugarcane juice in Kolhapur. It is manufactured from sugarcane which is a common and widely cultivated crop in Kolhapur.{{cite news |title=GI tag conserves fragrance, rich taste of Maharashtra's 7 agri products |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/gi-tag-conserves-fragrance-rich-taste-of-maharashtras-7-agri-products/articleshow/51638690.cms |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=1 April 2016}}{{cite news |title=One month after floods: 75% of Kolhapur's sugarcane crop destroyed |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/1-month-after-floods-75-of-kolhapur-s-sugarcane-crop-destroyed/story-2FPEempDAqp6QOmXCT1v5K.html |access-date=31 October 2024 |agency=Hindustan Times}} The waters of the streams forming the Panchganga river are primarily used for sugarcane cultivation in Kolhapur.{{cite book |title=Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kolhapur |date=1886 |publisher=Printed at the Government Central Press |page=10 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=krYBAAAAYAAJ&dq=kolhapur+panchganga+irrigation+sugarcane&pg=PA10 |access-date=31 October 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Heavy rains push Panchganga river in Kolhapur near danger mark |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Jul/24/heavy-rains-push-panchganga-river-in-kolhapur-near-danger-mark |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The New Indian Express |date=24 July 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Panchganaga river news: More than 2,000 people relocated as river flows above danger mark in Maharashtra's Kolhapur |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/elections/maharashtra/more-than-2000-people-relocated-as-panchaganga-river-flows-above-danger-mark-in-kolhapur-3123451 |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Panchaganga approaches warning mark, Kolhapur dist admin on alert |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/panchaganga-river-water-level-rising-in-kolhapur-district/articleshow/111589978.cms |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=9 July 2024}}

Kolhapur jaggery made from sugarcane is a prized crop in Kolhapur and so named after it.{{cite book |last1=SHINDE |first1=DR MAHADEV ANNAPPA |title=SMALL SCALE INDUSTRIES IN KOLHAPUR DISTRICT |date=9 March 2022 |isbn=978-93-92538-62-9 |pages=15, 21 |publisher=Dnyanmangal Prakashan Vitaran |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tw6HEAAAQBAJ&dq=kolhapuri+jaggery&pg=PA15 |access-date=31 October 2024 |language=en}} It is known as 'Kolhapuri Gul (कोल्हापुरी गूळ)' - Gul means jaggery in the local state language of Marathi.{{cite news |title=Include Kolhapur jaggery in midday meal plan: APMC to state government |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/include-kolhapur-jaggery-in-midday-meal-plan-apmc-to-state-government/articleshow/104097720.cms |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=2 October 2023}}{{cite book |last1=Jugale |first1=Vasant Bira |title=Sugarcane pricing: policy, procedure, and operations |date=2000 |publisher=Atlantic Publishers and Distributors |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-7156-913-7 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g0p7uQAgPpkC |language=en}}

It was awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) status tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Government of India on 31/03/2014 (valid until 30/7/2031).{{cite web |title=Geographical Indications |publisher=Intellectual Property India |url=https://search.ipindia.gov.in/GIRPublic/Application/Details/240 |access-date=31 October 2024}}

Kolhapur Agricultural Produce Market (Kolhapur Sheti Utpanna Bazar Samiti) from Kolhapur, proposed the GI registration of Kolhapur jaggery. After filing the application in January 2012, the jaggery was granted the GI tag in 2021 by the Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai, making the name "Kolhapur jaggery" exclusive to the Jaggery manufactured in the region. It thus became the first jaggery variety from Maharashtra and the ninth type of goods from Maharashtra to earn the GI tag.{{cite news |title=FDA seizes 5,000 kg of adulterated jaggery in Kolhapur |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/fda-seizes-5000-kg-of-adulterated-jaggery/articleshow/88418780.cms |access-date=31 October 2024 |work=The Times of India |date=22 December 2021}}

• Ramchandra Pant Amatya – one of the Ashta Pradhans of Shivaji
• Bhanu Athaiya – Indian costume designer and painter
• Madhavrao Bagal – writer, artist, journalist, social reformer, political activist, orator and a freedom fighter
• Sanjivani Bhelande – playback singer born in Kolhapur
• Sangram Chougule – body builder, Mr Universe winner (2012), Mr India (6-time winner), Mr Maharashtra (5-time winner)
• Ramesh Deo – Indian film and television actor
• Ranjit Desai – Marathi writer
• Suniti Ashok Deshpande – Indian educator, writer, translator and interpreter
• Vasantrao Ghatge – Indian entrepreneur, business magnate, industrialist and a professor
• Santaji Ghorpade – Maratha warrior and Sarsenapati
• Ashutosh Gowariker – Indian film director, actor, screenwriter and producer
• K. D. Jadhav – (1926–1984) was an Indian freestyle wrestler and Olympic bronze medallist
• Suhas Khamkar – body builder
• Jagdish Khebudkar – Marathi littérateur and lyricist of Marathi cinema
• Padmini Kolhapure – film actress
• Dhondutai Kulkarni – Indian classical singer from the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana
• Swapnil Kusale – (b 1995) sport shooter and Olympic bronze medallist
• Dhananjay Mahadik – Indian politician and former Member of Parliament
• Sadashivrao Dadoba Mandlik – former Member of Parliament and NCP leader
• Sanjay Mandlik – Member of Parliament and Shiv Sena Leader
• Anant Mane – film director
• Leena Nair – CEO of Chanel
• Nanda – film actress
• Jayant Narlikar – Indian astrophysicist
• B. B. Nimbalkar – Indian cricketer, best known for his score of 443 not out during the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy
• Chandrakant Patil – Indian politician and Maharashtra BJP president
• D. Y. Patil – Indian politician and educator
• Satej Patil – politician and Minister of State for home in the Maharashtra Government
• Bhalji Pendharkar – director
• Sudhir Phadke – singer and composer
• Shruti Sadolikar – Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana
• Arun Sarnaik – actor and singer
• Shivaji Sawant – Indian novelist
• Shahu of Kolhapur – Maharaja and a social reformer
• V. Shantaram – Indian filmmaker, film producer and actor
• Tarabai – Maratha queen and warrior
• Govindrao Tembe – music composer
• S. P. P. Thorat – Lieutenant general in the Indian Army
• Master Vinayak – Indian actor and film director
• Suresh Wadkar – playback singer

• Bhosale
• Maratha
• Maratha Empire
• Marathi people
• List of Maratha dynasties and states
• Kolhapur Municipal Corporation
• Notable people from Kolhapur

{{Reflist}}

[https://dsal.uchicago.edu/reference/gazetteer/ "The Imperial Gazetteer of India."] Oxford at Clarendon Press, 1909 Volume 15. p380 – 387. Accessed at Digital South Asia Library at University of Chicago, Illinois, 7 April 2014.

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• [http://www.kolhapurcorporation.gov.in/ Kolhapur Municipal Corporation]

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Category:Cities and towns in Kolhapur district

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