Kolhapur
is visited by a number of tourists every year, not only for its own
sake, but also because of the numerous excursions it offers. One of the
most popular tourist places near the city is the Dajipur Bison
Sanctuary, known for its considerable population of Bison. Then, there
are the three splendid forts - Panhala Fort, Vishalgad Fort and
Bhudargad Fort, bearing a testimony to the rich historical past of
Maharashtra. In this article, we have endeavored to provide you
information on the famous excursions from Kohlapur city of India.Dajipur Bison Sanctuary
Dajipur Bison Sanctuary is situated on the border shared by the Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts of Maharashtra. The wildlife sanctuary derives its name from the splendid animal, Bison, which is found in abundance here. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1200 m above the sea level
Ganapatipule Beach
Ganapatipule Beach is one of the most popular excursions from the Kolhapur city, which lies approximately 150 km away. It is situated around 50 km from the Ratnagiri city and falls under the district of the same name. One of the few beaches in Maharashtra that have still remained untouched
Panhala Fort
Panhala Fort is situated at a distance of approximately 19 km from the Kolhapur city of Maharashtra. Counted amongst the largest as well as most significant forts of the Deccan region of India, it stands perched at an altitude of around 850 m above the sea level.
Tarkarli Beach
Tarkarli Beach is one of the most famous attractions of the Tarkarli city, which is sited at a distance of approximately 6 km to the south of Malvan. The location of the city, at the confluence of the Karli River with the Arabian Sea, makes it home to one of the most picturesque beaches in India.
Sindhudurg Fort
Maharashtra is known for its rich historical legacy. The land has been a silent witness to some of the most gruesome battles that have been fought in India. One such symbol of the rich historical past is the mighty Sindhudurg fort. It is situated in Sindhudurg district.
Vishalgad Fort
Vishalgad Fort is situated at a distance of approximately 76 km to the northwest of Kolhapur. Perched on top of the Gajapur Hills, it now stands mostly in ruins. However, its magnificence is so great as not to be lost completely to the ravages of time. Some of the must-see structures at the fort comprise of the Amriteshwar Temple, Takmak Tok, Sati Vrindavan and the Tomb of Hazrat Malikdhyan Baba.
Bhudargad Fort
Bhudargad Fort is located in Paal village, approximately 50 km to the south of Kolhapur. Towering over a huge vertical rock, the fort stands surrounded by mountain ranges. It is said that from a distance, the fort looks like the crescent moon, seen in the hair of the Lord Shiva. The fort was constructed under the patronage of King Bhoj of the Shilahar family. The nearby attractions include Dudhsagar Lake, two Shiva Temples, and a Bhairav Temple.
Paargad Fort
Paargad Fort is situated to the south of Kolhapur, at a distance of around 28 km from Chandgad. One of the major attractions of this fort is its serene environment and lush green surroundings. Apart from this, it is also known for housing a wonderful bronze statue of Shivaji and a temple of Bhagawati Bhawani.
Narasimha Wadi
Narasimha Wadi is a holy destination, situated on the embankment of rivers Krishna and Panchaganga. It lies approximately 45 km away from Kolhapur and is renowned for housing the padukas (slippers) of Dattaguru (an incarnation of the Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh).
Amboli
Amboli is a hill station, which comes under the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. Hovering at a height of around 690 m above the sea level, it boasts of thickly wooded forests and sharp mountains. Amboli is also the last hill resort of the Sahyadri Hills, as beyond this one can see the start of the coastal plains. The hill station was developed by Colonel Westrop, a British political agent, after the opening of the Ghat Road from the coastal town of Vengurla. It provides some of the most amazing views of the Konkan coast.
