Kolhapur city situated on the banks of river Panchganga is known as `Dakshin Kashi`. It is seat of Goddess Mahalaxmi and is one of the 3.5 Shaktipeeths devoted to Godess Shakti. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja is known as the founder of modern Kolhapur. Ambabai (Karvir Nivasini Shri Mahalaxmi )Temple: Mahalaxmi is mentioned in many Puranas. The Idol of Devi is made of precious stone, weighs about 40 Kgs and stands on a stone square, made out of Hirak & Sand. Padma-Ragini Idol is in the middle portion. The Hemandpanthi Temple with 5 Shikharas, houses 35 small or big temples and 20 shops visited by pilgrims. For more information contact: Secretary - Mahalaxmi Bhakt Mandal Dharmashala, Near Kapilteertha Market, Tarabai Road, Kolhapur Maharashtra India. Ph. 91-231-2626377 Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum:The New Palace in Kolhapur houses the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum- a weird array of the former Maharaja`s possessions, who recently died in 1983. British architect Charles Mant designed the New Palace in 1881 in the Indo-Sarcenic style Kolhapur is famous in the country for Wrestling and the production of Jaggery, silver Jewelry, and Kolhapur Chappals.

By Air: Airport near Ujlaiwadi 13, From Mumbai daily flights by Air Deccan. By Rail: Station on Central Railway connecting New Delhi by weekly Nizammuddin Express. Pune, Nagpur by Mahrashtra Express. Miraj by inter-city shuttle service. Pune 327, Belgaon 96, Mumbai 519. Daily trains to Mumbai, Pune, Tirupati, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. By Road: Akkalkot 280, Aurangabad via Beed 522, Via Nagar 473, Khed 218, Guhagar 210, Chiplun 187, Chembur(Mumbai) 388, Paral (Mumbai) 390, Panhala 18, Pawas 190, Pune 237, Mahabaleshwar 190, Ratnagiri 125, Vijaydurga 151, Sawantwadi 171, Shirdi 445.