About Kolhapur
           Kolhapur is one of the few ancient
cities of India, long before Christ, it had established its commercial links with
the Roman Empire. The cooper coins and brass models found in the excavations on
the banks of the river Panchaganga testify to the ancient contacts with the west.
The idol of Poseidon Greek Sea God found here, is supposed to be one the precious
antiques of the world. Even Ptolemy, the famous Roman historian, (A.D. 2nd century),
has mentioned Kolhapur as a leading center of the trade and commerce.
           Situated on the banks of river
Panchaganga, Kolhapur – also known as Karveer surrounded by hillocks of the Sahyadri
ranges. According to myths, there lived an invincible demon known as ‘Kolasur’ after
whom the city named. The Goddess Mahalaxmi finally vanquished him. Another myths
recounts that the city was named after the ‘Kolla, Goddess of the aborigines….’Karveer’
– the other name of this glorious city, has its origins in the Puranas, which narrate
a story about the city, engulfed by a great flood. The Goddess Mahalaxmi saved it
by using the ‘Kur’ and ‘mace’. Hence, it came to known as ‘Karveer’. The ‘Padmapurana’
and ‘Skandapurana’ speak of Kolhapur as ‘Dakshin Kashi’. Some verses in the puranas
suggest poetically that the city is spiritually vibrant. God Shiva dwells here in
the form of water, God Vishnu in the form of rocks, Goddess in the form of tree
and seers in the form of sand.
           Ruled by great dynasties like
the Chalukya, the Shilahara and the Rashtrakuta – Kolhapur, with a rich legacy of
aristocracy, graciousness arts and culture down the ages, has today emerged as a
city with a multifaceted persona and colorful mythological and historical past.
           Kolhapur has well defined geographical
rich area with beautiful landscapes, mountains, forests, rivers, fertile land with
abundant water supply for human settlement. Located almost at the same distance
from two different state of India, Goa and Karnataka, their close contacts have
influenced the life style of the society, but still it maintains its typical ‘Maratha‘
culture to this date. Ruled by different dynasties this princely statehood, and
healthy air and fertile land has developed its peculiar culture, traces of which
can be experience even today and you all back to our Kolhapur.