New Palace, Kolhapur is a palace situated in Kolhapur, in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The Palace took 7 years to complete, from 1877 to 1884, costing about sevenlakhs of rupees. Being an excellent specimen of Indian architecture built in black polished stone, it has been an attraction for tourists. It has extensive premises with a garden, fountain and wrestling ground.
The temple of the goddess Mahalakshmi was built by Karnadeva in Chalukya reign.Mounted on a stone platform, the murti of the crowned goddess is made of gemstone and weighs about 40 kilograms. The image of Mahalakshmi carved in black stone is 3 feet in height. The Shri Yantra is carved on one of the walls in the temple. A stone lion (thevahana of the goddess), stands behind the statue. The crown contains a five headed snake.
Shri Jyotiba or Kedareshvar is incarnation of Bramha, Vishnu, Mahesh and part of sage Jamadgni’s anger; and shine of 12 sun. It is another story that Adishakti created another set of Tridev i.e. Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh which was 100 times more powerful than original Tridev to down their ego; when her motive become successful she ordered her newly created trideva to come again when she will call for her help. When Kolhasura & his army was ruling at karvir kshetra with full of unjust mehods Mahalaxmi decided to go back karvir at this time she called the trideva & they appeared in hands of Mata Vimalambuja, in the form flame.
Rankala Lake is on the western side of Ambabai temple , it is a popular evening spot and recreation centre. This lake was constructed by late Maharajah, Shri Shahu Chhatrapati. The Lake is surrounded by Chaupati and other gardens. In the backdrop stands majestic Shalini Palace. Shalini Palace is the only star-rated Palace Hotel in Maharashtra.
The story revolves around the great Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. When he is trapped inside the Panhala fort due to siege laid by Siddi Jauhar of Bijapur, he plans a mega escape plan with his 600 soldiers. When he reaches half way, enemy is in hot pursuit. His legendary warrior Baji Prabhu Deshpande with 300 men holds back an advancing enemy army of 10,000 men till King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj safely reaches the fort of Vishalgad.
A fort had existed at Vishalgad long before it became a jagir. The Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had escaped to it after being besieged at Panhala Fort in 1660 and in 1844 it was one of the forts of Kolhapur State that initiated a rebellion against a regent called Daji Krishna Pandit who had been installed by the British to govern the state in 1843 at a time when the natural heir to the throne was underage.
The Masai Plateau, also known as the Masai Pathar or Masai Sadas, is a plateau situated 30 kilometers west from Kolhapur city in Maharashtra. It is known for scenic beauty and various types of seasonal wildflowers that bloom in the months of August and September. The plateau is situated at an altitude of 900 AMSL and is approximately 1.5 square kilometers in area. Masai plateau has diversity of flowering plants. include orchids, and carnivorous plants such as Utricularia and Drosera indica.
