Objects of Interest
Ambabai Temple
All the objects of interest in Kolhapur the Ambabai or Mahalaxmi temple is the most important. It was the centre of the old town and the city derives its appellation of 'Daksin Kasi' mainly from this temple. The construction of the temple is said to have been started in the 9th Century A. D in the Rastrakuta Period. [H. D. Sankalia and M. G. Dixit; Excavations at Brahmapuri (Kolhapur) 1945.] Some people believe that the oldest part of the present shrine may have been the work of the early Chalukyas (550 A.D. to 660 A.D.) which the Silahara rulers of Kolhapur (9th Century A.D. and onwards) added to and embellished considerably.
The main portion of the building is of two storeys and is built of black stone brought from local quarries. The spire and domes of this temple are said to have been added by a Sankaracarya of Sankesvar; the Jains declare that the temple was a Jain temple dedicated to Padmavati and that the spire and domes are Brahmanic additions. The architecture of the building seems to support that claim. The spire and domes do not harmonise with the carved work below, which strongly resembles the style of the twelfth century in the Jain temples in the Mysore State. The image of the god Ganapati which ought to be carved on the lintel of every Brahmanic temple is absent and the wall and domes are full of seated cross-legged figures, many of them naked. These details, it is argued, prove that this was originally a Jain temple. According to Major Graham, during some Musalman persecutions in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries the image of Ambabai was hid in a private dwelling and in about 1722 A.D. was installed in the present temple by Sambhaji Maharaj (1712-1760) who for this purpose sent Sidhoji Hindurao Ghorpade from Panhala to Kolhapur [An extent sanad or deed by Sambhaji assigning grants for the expense of the temple, states that though under the Bijapur Government (1489-1686) there existed many votaries well able to replace the image, Sambhaji Raja has alone the merit of re-establishing it in its ancient temple. Bombay Govt. Se. New Series VIII, 317.] The temple is in the form of a cross and is built with the mortarless close-fitting large blocks of stone known in the Deccan as the Hemadpanti style. It faces west on which side is the main entrance with the nagarkhana or drum chamber on the top. Besides the main entrance to the west, three small gates open out on the north, east and south. The northern gate (Ghati Darvaja) has a large bell, which is rung five times a day, at four in the morning, at noon, at one in the afternoon, at eight in the evening and nine at night. The body of the temple is built of local black trap without the help of any timber Except a few doors it has no openings for air. Under the big dome on the east is installed the image of Ambabai; and on the north and south sides two smaller domes enclose images of Mahakali and Mahasarasvati. The image is about four feet high and it stands on a stoned platform about three feet high. The main building as it stands at present, consists of an entrance mandap (proves mandap) now styled as Garud mandap, in which during the Navratra celebrations in Aivin (September-October) a silver image of the goddess is installed for worship on the raised stone platform therein. As one enters the old main building one sees the Mukha (face) mandap on either side of which there are niches containing beautiful images, the chief of them being the duplicates of the so-called Bharata and Satrughna images, though in reality in spite of all their charms they are only Jain Dwarpalas (gate-keepers). This mandap leads on to the Manx (Bell) mandap, at the end walls of which are two very beautiful Dwarpals (gate-keepers) called Jay and Vijaya cast in heroic mould and standing over 10 feet in height. This Bell mandap leads into the Mula-sthan or the Sanctum Sanctorum wherein is the image of Mahalaxmi or Ambabai. Inside the big dome round the image of Ambabai is a closed dark passage with no opening of any sort and with lights burning day and night to anable the worshippers to go round the image. There is an upper storey to the main temple and here there is a linga exactly above the image of Ambabai. On the outside of the main temple are beautiful carvings. At regular intervals there are niches and in each niche there is a beautifully carved figure in polished black stone. The figures are of musicians and danseuses (dancing apsaras) known as Yoginis. The cost of the building must have been immense. The upper works added by Sankaracarya are said to have cost about Rs. 1 lakh. The big hall or Garud (Sabha) mandap in front was added during the administration of Daji Pandit between 1838 and 1843. The main temple is surrounded by a number of other shrines including shrines of Dattatraya, Vithoba, Kasi-Visvesvar, Ram and Radha-Krsna. The open space round the temple is paved with stone-slabs. On either side of the Sabha Mandap there was a Kund or a small tank with a fountain, where the devotees could perform ablutions. The Kund on the southern side has since been filled in. The temple has four inscriptions carved in Devnagari characters. One on the outer wall of the temple of Hariharesvar behind Datta Mandir, dated Saka 1140 (A.D. 1218) a second on a pillar on the left hand after entering the courtyard dated Saka 1158 (A.D. 1236), a third on a pillar of the small temple of the Navgrah to the left of the main building and a fourth in the temple of Sesasayi behind the main temple on the left hand when entering from the eastern gate. The temple of Ambabai is visited by large number of pilgrims many of whom come from long distances. Besides contributions from pilgrims which yearly amount to about Rs. 5,000, the temple receives a yearly cash allowance of Rs. 6,000 and has three inam villages in Karvir Taluka. It is served by twenty pujaris or ministrants. Every Friday night the image of Ambabai is paraded in a litter round the temple and a salute is fired. Ambabai has three great days in the year. On the full-moon in Caitra or March-April a brass image of the goddess is carried in procession through the town in a triumphal car. On the bright 5th of Asvin or September-October the image is carried in a litter in procession to the small temple of Temblai about three miles east to the city where the unmarried daughter of the headman of Bavada makes the deity the customary offering the Kohala or pumpkin. On the full-moon-day in Asvin or September-October the dome and roof are covered with lamps, and mahaprasad is offered to the deity. Once in Kartik and once in Magh, every year there is a peculiar phenomenon. The sun rays pass through the Mahadvar, pass through the mandaps and entering the inner temple fall on the image of Mahalaxmi. The rays first fall on the feet and gradually move upwards. The phenomenon lasts for about five minutes. Special prayers are offered on the occasion and many devotees flocK to the temple to see the phenomenon. The exact time is determined by the pujaris with the help of the almanack. The phenomenon arises from the peculiar construction of the temple which enables the sun rays to fall on the deity only on two days in a year.
Of the temples within the Ambabal temple area two are of particular interest from the point of view of art and antiquity. One is the temple of Sesasayi and the other of Navagraha. The Sesasayi temple is to the south of the eastern gate. The shrine contains a sculpture of Visnu reclining on his primeval serpent couch. There is also a linga in the shrine. In front of the shrine there is a beautiful mandap, the inner dome of whose ceiling is carved in a most exquisite fashion rivalling in its delicacy the carving inside the ceiling of Vimala Sabhd at Mount Abu. Below the carved ceiling are standing figures of naked Jain Tirthankars with inscriptions carved along in an old form of Kannada language (Hale Kanada). This mandap appears to have been the work of a pious Jam king.
The other temple of interest is the temple of Navagraha. This temple has a beautiful mandap in front called the Astadikpal or Navagrah Mandap on account of the nine panels that adorn the inner face of its ceiling. The mandap is an exquisite work of ancient Indian sculpturesque architecture and contains also a fine freize of swans. At the ends of this mandap are exquisite types of Indian womanhood whom religion has sanctified as Apsaras. The inner shrine on the right contains a figure of Durga slaying the Buffalo Demon (Mahisasura Mardini) and also another fine group depicting the solar deity being borne aloft on his seven horsed, single wheeled chariot (Hatha). The shrine on the left contains figures of the nine grahas installed in 1941.
In addition to these two subsidiary shrines the., temple also contains other smaller places of worship. Of these, the most important are the small temples of Dattatraya, Hari-Haresvar, Muktesvari, Vithoba, Kasivisvesvar, Rama and Radhakrsna.
There were on the northern side of the temple two tirthas or pools of holy water known as the Kasi and the Mankarnika whose sides were lined with images and hero stones. These pools have now been filled up and the images and stones have been removed to the Museum or to other places.
The Ambabal temple and its property were formerly managed by the Devasthan Mandal of the District Local Board. In 1950, the management was handed over to one person who claimed to be the vahivatdar of the deity. Subsequently in 1955, the management was taken over by Government and since then it is managed by the collector of the district with the help of a small committee.
Of the temples within the Ambabal temple area two are of particular interest from the point of view of art and antiquity. One is the temple of Sesasayi and the other of Navagraha. The Sesasayi temple is to the south of the eastern gate. The shrine contains a sculpture of Visnu reclining on his primeval serpent couch. There is also a linga in the shrine. In front of the shrine there is a beautiful mandap, the inner dome of whose ceiling is carved in a most exquisite fashion rivalling in its delicacy the carving inside the ceiling of Vimala Sabhd at Mount Abu. Below the carved ceiling are standing figures of naked Jain Tirthankars with inscriptions carved along in an old form of Kannada language (Hale Kanada). This mandap appears to have been the work of a pious Jam king.
The other temple of interest is the temple of Navagraha. This temple has a beautiful mandap in front called the Astadikpal or Navagrah Mandap on account of the nine panels that adorn the inner face of its ceiling. The mandap is an exquisite work of ancient Indian sculpturesque architecture and contains also a fine freize of swans. At the ends of this mandap are exquisite types of Indian womanhood whom religion has sanctified as Apsaras. The inner shrine on the right contains a figure of Durga slaying the Buffalo Demon (Mahisasura Mardini) and also another fine group depicting the solar deity being borne aloft on his seven horsed, single wheeled chariot (Hatha). The shrine on the left contains figures of the nine grahas installed in 1941.
In addition to these two subsidiary shrines the., temple also contains other smaller places of worship. Of these, the most important are the small temples of Dattatraya, Hari-Haresvar, Muktesvari, Vithoba, Kasivisvesvar, Rama and Radhakrsna.
There were on the northern side of the temple two tirthas or pools of holy water known as the Kasi and the Mankarnika whose sides were lined with images and hero stones. These pools have now been filled up and the images and stones have been removed to the Museum or to other places.
The Ambabal temple and its property were formerly managed by the Devasthan Mandal of the District Local Board. In 1950, the management was handed over to one person who claimed to be the vahivatdar of the deity. Subsequently in 1955, the management was taken over by Government and since then it is managed by the collector of the district with the help of a small committee.
Binkhambi Ganapati
Binkhambi Ganapati Temple: This temple is at the corner of Mahadvar Road. The temple consists of two parts, the inner temple and the mandap in front. Both these have no pillars to support the ceiling and hence the temple is called Binkhambi (or without pillars). The mandap is a square room about 25' x 25'. The usual tower with Kalas is on the inner temple. The image of Ganapati is of stone with Shendur applied to it. The temple was formerly known as Josirao's Ganapati, possibly because the Josirao family was managing the temple.
Bramheahwar Temple
Bramhesvar temple: This temple is near Varuntirth. It is like the Ambabai temple in construction but the spire or tower is missing. The temple is also half buried under the ground and presents a desolate appearance. It has a small original mandap in front and a big recent mandap of corrugated sheets. Inside the shrine there is a linga below the level of the ground and in the mandap there is a Nandi.
Khol Khandoba
Khol Khandoba: The Khol Khandoba is a temple near the Burud Galli. From the outside one sees a big dome like that of a mosque. One has to go down about 20 to 25 feet. into the temple to reach the deity. The deity in the temple is the Linga. The temple is said to be ancient and the habitation round about is said to be even older than the habitation round the Mahalaxmi temple. The temple is not, however, in its original shape. It appears to have been partially demolished by an earthquake and have been rebuilt at a later date. The structure is rough and is without any embelishments.
Phirangai Mandir
Phirangai Mandir: The temple of Phirangai or Pratyangiras a favourite goddess of the lower classes, is near Varuntirth. This goddess receives offerings of flour, salt, turmeric, and oil and she is supposed to have the power of curing children suffering from itch. Formerly buffaloes were offered but now goats have taken the place of buffaloes. The temple is simple. It is of slightly rough stones without any carvings or decorations. It appears to be a very old temple and perhaps it existed even before the Mahalaxmi temple was built because this habitations is said to have been prior to the habitation round the Mahalaxmi temple. It is now falling into a state of disrepair.
Radhakrishna Mandir
Radhakrsna Mandir: This is an old temple near the Padmala or old race course. The temple is small and simple in style with a spire in the usual way. The idols are of white marble. There is an image of Krsna playing on the flute and an image of Radha standing beside him. There is a small cow in between and a small figure on the left hand possibly of another cowherd. These figures face north on the left hand side and facing west is the figure of another woman, possibly a Gopi.
The period of the temple is not known. But in 1857, some of the mutineers are said to have taken refuge here. This shows that the temple is an old one.
There is a mandap in front of the temple of fairly recent construction. Round the temple are hutments which were formerly used as stables for race horses. Now some people live in these buildings.
Sheshashayee temple
Sesasayi temple: This temple is in the Subhas Cauk. The temple itself is of recent construction but the image of Visnu sitting on the coils of Sesa is an ancient one. It was found in the moat round the city wall south of Ravivar Vesa, and has been removed from there and installed at the present place during the reign of Sahu Maharaj. The image is carved in black stone and shows Visnu reclining on the coils of the serpent who has spread its many headed hood on him and a ' Das' and a ' Dasi' are pressing Visnu's feet. The work is exquisitely executed and is very interesting. The whole figure is about 10 to 12 feet in length.
Tembalai temple
Tembalai temple: On the east of Kolhapur city about three miles from the old city there is a small hill and on this bill is built the temple of Temblai or Tryambuli. According to the Karvir or Kolhapur Furan, Temblai the younger sister of Mahalaxmi in consequence of a quarrel with Mahalaxmi left Kolhapur 1900 years ago and retired to a hill about three miles to the east of the city and remained there with her back turned towards her elder sister. The reason for the quarrel is given as follows:-After Mahalaxmi had killed the Daitya Kolla in the war between the devas and the daityas, his son Kamaksa decided to take revenge. He had acquired some magic by which he could convert human beings and things into sheep. Using this magic he converted Mahalaxmi and other gods into sheep. Tryambuli was not there at the time and so escaped. When she came to know of it she came and killed Kamaksa by a ruse and using his magic wand converted the sheep back into their natural form. The gods were very glad and decided to celebrate the occasion. Invitations were sent out to all but Tryambuli was forgotten by mistake. She got annoyed and went and sat on the Tryambuli Hill. When her absence at the celebrations was noticed Mahalaxmi sent some devas to fetch her. But she would not come. Finally Mahalaxmi herself went there with a Kohala' or pumpkin to remind her of an incident in the fight with Kolla, the Daitya. But Tryambuli was not moved. This incident occurred on the 5th Asvin, even to-day. Ambabai is said to pay her sister one visit in honour of the Goddess. An image of Ambabai is placed in a litter and carried in procession to the hill and a Kohala or pumpkin is afterwards cut to pieces by an unmarried girl in memory of the destruction by the deity of a giant named Kolhapur. The fair is attended by 15,000 to 20,000 people and sweetmeats and other eatables as well as toys are offered for sale. Every third year and also during bad attacks of cholera and other epidemics a buffalo is offered to the goddess. The temple has a small allowance from Government and one pujari or ministrant is in attendance. In the old days every year in Asadh or June-July or in Magh or January-February it was customary in Kolhapur to offer a he-buffalo to the goddess Margai near Temblai. This practice was stopped a long time ago. Now only naivedya of mutton is offered. During the month of Asadh, on every Tuesday and Friday, water from Pancaganga river is taken ceremoniously in brass vessels and Kavadis are poured on the threshold of Temblai temple. Offerings of eatables and mutton are also made. Some of the local talims or gymnasiums organise some of these parties.
The temple in the old Hemadpanti style is without any ornate carvings. There is a mandap in front of the main temple.
On the same hill there are two more temples. One is the temple of Margai and the other is a temple of Sivaji Maharaj. The latter is a recent construction. The former is an old structure with a recent addition of a mandap of corrugated iron sheets.
The Tryambuli hill is a picturesque spot apart from its religious importance. It is a windswept hill with very few trees. One gets a panoramic of the sprawling city from the top. Nearby on similar hill is the Vikramsingh reservoir where there is a garden maintained by the Water Works Department. This is a beautiful spot for an evening stroll. There is a small reservoir from where water is supplied to a part of the city. On the other side of the Tryambuli hill is the hill on which the barracks of the former Rajaram Rifles are seen. Between this hill and the Tryambuli hill passes the road to Hupari.
Vithoba Mandir
Vithoba Mandir: The temple of Vithoba, which was probably built about the same time as Ambabai temple, lies south-east near the Subhas, Cauk. A large space encloses five temples with a rest-house large enough for several hundred travellers. The chief temple of Vithoba to the right is built of stone and is similar in style to the great temple of Ambabai. In front of this temple, there is a double-storeyed wooden mandap which is of fairly recent construction. Another old temple to the left dedicated to Visvesvar is similar in style to Vithoba's temple. The entrance is grand and has spacious rooms on the top. On the bright elevenths of Asadh or June-July and Kartik or October-November fairs are held in honour of the god Vithoba when flowers and leaves of the bel or Aegle marmelos and the tulsi or basil plant are offered. The rooms on the entrance as well as the two buildings on either side of the entrance are now used by a school. Except the temple of Vithoba the other temples appear to be slightly neglected and signs of disrepair are visible in some of them.
Jain Mandir
Jain Mandir.-In Laxmipuri, near the Padma Talkies there is a temple of Munisuvrat, the 20th Tirthahkar of the Jains. Although the mandir was-built in 1947, it is a fine example of an attempt to build in the old Indian style of architecture. The mandir is modelled on the lines of the old Jain mandirs and reminds one of the Jain mandirs at Abu. There are beautiful carvings both inside and outside the temple. The image of Munisuvrat is installed in the inner temple. There are also images of other Tirthahkars in marble, in the temple. Next to the inner temple there is a mandap. The mandir was built at a cost of Rs. 1,25,000.
Jain Swami Math
Jain Swami Math.-This math is in Sukravar Peth a short distance from the Sukravar Dharmasala. The math is very old. The main gate or Nagarkhana, is very beautiful and is similar to the nagarkhana of the old Palace. It is, however, surmounted by a number of four-pillared towers. The main arched gateway is very beautiful. This nagarkhana or gate was built 80 years ago by Mathadhipati Laxmisen Maharaj at a cost of Rs. 61,000. It is built of black stone and is 65 ft. in height. At present there is only an open space beyond the gate, except for a small structure at right angles to the main gate and joined to it. The old math building appears to have been destroyed and the upper storeys of the main gate and the other structure are at present being used as math.
Shankaracharya Math
Sahkaracarya Math.-This math is in Sukravar Peth on the way to the Pancaganga Ghat. It is an old two storeyed structure without any embellishments or architectural points. It is, however, very old. The building is occupied by Sankaracarya of Sankesvar. Although formerly it was a part of the Sankesvar Math, the link was broken about 50 years ago and now the Kolhapur math is known as Karvir Pitha.
Babujamal Darga
Babujamal Darga.-The Babujamal Darga is behind Saraswati Cinema theatre within a short distance of the Ambabal temple. This darga appears to have been built when the Muslims first conquered Kolhapur.
There is a big gate leading into the draga grounds. The top of the gate has, however, been removed. This gate was built in 1909 according to a tablet fixed there. The darga has a fairly extensive area with a garden and subsidiary building. The main darga stands in the middle of the ground. It is a typical Muslim structure with a big dome and four small domes at the four corners. The darga seems to have been built with stones of Hindu temples because the image of Ganapati appears on the lintel of the door. It is white washed. This Darga is the most important Muslim shrine in the city. Many Hindus also go there for worship.
Municipal office Building
Municipal Office Building.-The Municipal Office building stands on the Bhausingji road near the Sivajl Chowk. It is a rectangular two-storeyed stone building with a small third storey in the middle of each side. There are shops on the ground-floor on the outside. On the first floor, there is a verandah with arches on the outside and rooms opening out on the inside. There is a big quadrangle in the building which is approached from a gate on the northern side. There are arched gates on the other three sides but two of them are generally closed and the one on the eastern side is used for a firefighter station. On the first floor there are two big halls, the old and the new, which are meant for meetings of the General Body. The new hall constructed in 1953 has special wall panels which absorb sound and prevent reverberations. There is also a gallery and new type of fluorescent lighting. The building has been built in two sections. The eastern and southern wings and a portion of the northern wing were built in 1929 at a cost of Rs. 1,60,000. The western wing and a portion of the northern wing were built in 1955 at a cost of Rs. 2,74,000. The new hall is situated in the western wing.
New Palace
New Place.-The New Palace is on the Bhausingji Road (Bavada road) near the Residency. It took seven years to complete, from 1877 to 1884, and cost about seven lakhs of rupees. The building faces south and has an octagonal tower in the centre, commonly known as the clock tower, about 25 ft. broad (outside dimension) and 135 ft. high. The end rooms of the Palace are octagonal in shape both in front and at back, and it has a grand Darbar hall and billiard room on one side and two reception rooms on the other. At the back is an open cauk (square) with a fountain at the centre and an enclosed verandah arcade and rooms on all sides of the chowk. The main building is two-storeyed with a terraced roof and numerous turrets and domes. The Palace is designed with an exquisite grace of outline which characterises the mixed Hindu style of architecture and is ornamented with a profusion of elaborate detail which presents itself to the utmost advantage. The Darbar Hall is particularly grand. It has very beautiful stained windows depicting various episodes in the life of Sivaji the Great, which is the work of an Italian artist. The Palace has beautiful grounds. There is also a small zoo. There is a small lake specially created for this zoo. There was also a small in-door swimming pool near the Palace. The building, however, is not in proper repair now and the pool is not in use.
old palace
Old Palace.-The Old Palace stands near the Mahalaxml temple to the south-east of the temple. It was built more than 200 years ago. Some portions of this Palace were set on fire and destroyed in the insurrection of 1813 by Sadalla Khan and they had to be rebuilt from time to time. The front portion is very recent. The Palace is a two-storeyed building having a terrace all over except the central portion where a hall has been erected. The Palace contains six chowks (quadrangles). The most important of these is the Bhavani cauk in which the image of the family deity, Bhavani, is set up. In this cauk darbars and all religious functions connected with the chatrapati's household were formerly held. This cauk is big and has a polished floor, wide verandahs on the four sides and a gallery on the first floor overlooking the chowk. The temple of Bhavani is on the western side facing the east. The temple is spacious. Outside in the southern verandah is kept the 'Gadi' or throne which was used for the darbars. There is also a life-size wooden statue of Sahu Chatrapati. Next to Bhavani cauk on the southern side there is another cauk where there is a small tank with goldfish in it. In the middle of the tank, there is a small temple of Mahadeva. The first floor has residential rooms. The western portion of the Palace is owned by Government and many offices are located therein. There is a police station in the portion which formerly belonged to treasury. On the first floor of this portion are situated the Judicial Magistrates' courts. In the next chowk, there are the Prant Offices, the Sub-Registrar's Office, Labour Office, etc. This cauk is big and has a fountain in the middle. In the south-western portion there is a women's institution patronised by the Dowager Maharani. In front of this portion there is a small open space with small temples. The North-eastern portion is in a dilapidated condition. There used to be also a garden here but now it is a neglected back-yard. Beyond it there is a medium-sized tank. This and the buildings round about are used by the Motibaug talim.
The Palace is built in simple style and there are no special decorations or carvings. It is built mainly in the Hindu style with very few arches, domes or minarets.
In front of the Bhavani cauk in the eastern side of the Palace a big mandap with corrugated sheets has been built. It is in a state of disrepair now. The Palace is surrounded by other structures with gates in them in such way that there is a courtyard for the Palace. On the northern side there is a two-storeyed stone building with arches and domes with the nagarkhana or the main gate in the middle and the building of the Rajaram College further on. On the eastern side, facing the Bhavani temple is another structure with a beautiful gate in the middle. On the south there is the " Wada " of a courtier. The courtyard formed with these buildings is not paved and is now a public thoroughfare with roads passing through it. The nagarkhana building is of particular interest It is perhaps the tallest building in the city and form its top one gets a panoramic view of the city. It is a massive five-storeyed building built mainly in black-stone and is a fine example of Indian architecture. There are no domes but there are a few arches which point to Islamic influence. On the third-storey, there is a chamber with square pillars. The pillars as well as walls are of highly polished black-stone. It is called Aine Mahal or the hall of mirrors because the surface of the walls and of the pillars is so highly polished that it reflects images. The main gate of the nagarkhana has big arches. On either side of the gate, there is a room where elephants were formerly kept. The nagarkhana was built by Buvasaheb Maharaj, the ruler of Kolhapur between 1828 and 1838. Its cost is unknown but it has been estimated at Rs. 5,00,000. The gate on the eastern side has beautiful pillars.
Shalini Palace
Salini Palace.-The Salini Palace stands on the northern bank of the Rankala lake. It is a modern construction in Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is a rectangular double-storeyed structure with four square towers surmounted by domes at the corners. On the front side above the main entrance another square tower rises above the corner towers and it is surmounted by a polygon tower with slender pillars and a dome at the top with an inverted lotus leaf. The Palace faces the Rankali tank and has beautiful grounds. There is a small ghat on the lake where one can sit and enjoy solitude or from where one can go boating. The Palace is richly decorated inside and is lavishly furnished.
This Palace was built between 1931 and 1934 at a cost of Rs. 8,00,000. At present (1957) it is not in regular use.
Town Hall
Town Hall.-This beautiful building is situated near the Civil Hospital on the Bhausingji Road. It stands in the extensive and beautiful Town Hall garden. The building is in Gothic style with two spires and a steep roof. It consists of a large central hall and gallery with two rooms on either side joined to the main hall by a spacious verandah in the front. There is a fine porch with a terrace over it, joined to the hall and gallery. The hall is spacious enough to seat 500 persons. There is a big arched wooden door leading into the hall. Creepers have been let on the porch and on the walls. There is a beautiful, large, oval fountain in front of the building with a pool of water which contains goldfish. The building is surrounded by a splendid garden (for description of the garden see Gardens). The Town Hall building was constructed between 1872 and 1876 at a cost of Rs. 80,000. The building at present houses a museum. The hall contains glass cases in which are displayed various articles found in the excavations at Brahmapuri such as earthern vessels, beads and so on. Some cases display coins of different periods. There are tamrapats also. There are many figures carved in stone found in the different parts of the city and at Bid, a village in Karvir taluka where there was a kingdom in pre-Muslim days. In the southern wing there is an armoury where old weapons are displayed. In the northern wing there is an Art gallery where paintings of noted local artists are displayed. There is also a small collection of busts and statues.
Rajaram College
Rajaram College.-The Rajaram College (Arts Section) building is near the nagarkhana. of the Old Palace. This building is in the Rajasthan style of construction with small curved domes supported by slender pillars and galleries with curved roofs. The building is a two-storeyed structure in black-stone with two beautiful polygon towers in the Indo-Saracenic style, with slender pillars supporting a dome with an inverted lotus-leaf. There is a partial third storey which seems to have been built at a later period and does not completely harmonise with the main building. The building was originally built for the Rajaram High School. Subsequently when the Rajaram College was started in 1880 the High School was shifted and the College was housed in this building. There is a beautiful hall in the building which is used for various functions. There is an open air theatre recently built behind the college building.
Statues
The statue of Sivaji Maharaj in Sivaji Cauk faces north It is a standing figure of Sivaji with a sword drawn. The statue is in bronze and is mounted on a pedestal of polished black-stone. The pedestal is about 10 ft. in height and the statue is about 6 ft. in height. The statue is enclosed by a polygon-shaped compound of stone pillars and a green hedge is gown around it. The statue was erected in 1945, on the site formerly occupied by the statue of Sir Leslie Wilson.
The statue of Sahu Maharaj is on the Sahu Road near Dasara Chowk. The statue is a full size standing figure of Sahu Maharaj in bronze mounted on a greenish marble pedastal with a small polygon-shaped compound of small stone pillars and an iron chain. The statue itself is about 10 ft. in height and the pedestal is 12 to 15 ft. in height. With this height the statue looks imposing. The statue was unveiled on 12th April 1927.
The statues of Aisaheb Maharaj is on the junction of Sivaji Road, Latthe Road and Karmavir Bhaurao Patil Road. It is a marble statue of Maharani Laxmibai, the mother of Rajaram Maharaj. It is a beautiful sitting figure of the Maharani with a beautiful marble canopy. There is a marble pedestal. Formerly, there were trees round the statue but they have been recently removed and the place has been converted into an oval-shaped traffic island. The statue was erected in 1929, at the time of establishment of Laxmipuri vasahat.
The statue of Mahatma Gandhi is at Varuntlrth. It stands in the middle of what was formerly the Varuntirth tank. The statue is an bronze and shows Mahatma Gandhi in the familiar pose of walking with a long stick in his hand. The statue itself is 11 ft. in height and it is mounted on a stone pedestal which is 12 to 15 ft. in height. The area round the statue is being developed into a garden. The statue cost Rs. 1,00,000 and was unveiled on 7th June, 1954.
Besides these statues, there are the following statues or busts in the city: -
(1) The equestrian statue of Prince Sivaji near Sahu Boarding.
(2) Bust of Mahatma Phule Bindu Cauk.
(3) Bust of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Bindu Cauk.
(4) Bust of Alladiya Khan near Deval Club.
(5) Bust of Abalal in Padma Raje Garden.
(6) Bust of Sahu Maharaj in Sahu Uddyan.
(7) Bust of Rajaram Maharaj in front of the Civil Courts.
(8) Bust of Cimasaheb near Power House corner.
(9) Bust of Govindarao Tembe in Rajaram Hall garden.
(10) Bust of Mahatma Gandhi at Papachl Tikti.
(11) Bust of Sivaji at Varuntlrth.
Panehagana Ghat
Pancaganga Ghat.-To the north-west of the city, there is an extensive ghat on the Pancaganga river. There are numerous temples here including some in the river itself. On the bank is an enclosure where members of the royal family are cremated. There are many temples here dedicated to the deceased members of the royal family. Sambhaji, Sivaji III, Aba Saheb and Babasaheb. Of these, the biggest and best is the temple of Sivaji III. It was built in 1815 and contains some beautiful carvings. It is, however, an ill-assorted combination of large Musalman Hall and a lofty Hindu spire covered with stucco formed into mouldings and with a few ornaments. [Old District Gazetteer.] These tombs are ling shrines. In some temples padukas are found. The ghat consists of long stone flights of steps reaching down to the river. The ghat is used for bathing and washing. One gets a very picturesque view from the ghat. To the north one sees the river windmg under the lofty arches of the Shivaji Bridge. Overlooking this bridge, the ghat and the river is the Bramhapuri Hill, the site of the ancient city.
Kotitirth
Kotitirth.-To the east of the city near the sahu Mill (Sahu Chatrapati Spinning and Weaving Mill) there is a big tank or lake with a temple of Mahadeva. This is called the Kotitirth. This is a picturesque spot in Kolhapur. On the city side there is an earthen bund. There are some babul trees on this side. The temple of Mahadeva is slightly inside the lake with a small strip of land joining it to the bund. The temple is small and simple and has no ornate carvings or decorations. The image of Ganapati is carved on the lintel of the temple. There is a small mandap of recent construction before the temple. Inside the temple there is a Pindi or ling of Mahadeo. On the southern side there is a sort of mangrove and a building. This building was constructed by one Narayandas Maharaj, who came here in 1894 and built this rest-house like building with country tiled roof.. Narayandas Maharaj toot samadhi, in 1933. The samadhi is in a small chamber below the main room of this building. In front of this building, there is a small ghat going upto the edge of the water. The samadhi has become a place of worship.
There are different stories about how the place came to be called Kotitirth. According to one the daityas defeated the devas. The devas implored Mahalaxmi to help them and she attacked the devas. But when she saw their plight she took pity on them and refused to kill them. But the daityas did not like this and they told her that those who seek mercy go to hell while those who die on the battle field go to heaven and that she should kill all of them and give the place the name of Kotitirth as they were one crore in strength. According to another story Kotitirth is the tirth or holy tank established by Puskaresvar at Karvir. As king Bhanu took bath here and washed away his one crore sins the tirth was called Kotitirth. The water of Kotitirth is not used for drinking. It is used for bathing and washing. A few people swim in the tank especially near the temple of Narayandas Maharaj.
Rankala
Rankala: Of all the places of interest in Kolhapur, Rankala is perhaps the most popular. It is a place where people throng in the evening for a stroll. It is sometimes referred to as the mackbay or Marine Drive of Kolhapur. Rankala is a lake at the south western end of the city. It has a radius of 2½ miles to 3 miles and depth of 35 ft. The road on the city side is in good condition and is the most frequented. It is really a bund which was built to increase the capacity of the lake. The water of the lake is now used mainly for irrigation and about 350 acres are irrigated. The water is let through a sluice gate in the bund. This gate is operated from a minor type of beautiful structure called the Rankala Tower. Near the Tower is the Raj ghat, a flight of broad steps leading to the water. It is now used for bathing and washing. On the northern bank of the lake stands the beautiful Salini Palace lending additional charm to the lake. On the eastern side and slightly in the lake stands the Sandhya-math. It is a structure of stone columns with a stone slab forming a big hall. It is an old structure in a crumbling stage. It is almost fully sub-merged in water during the monsoon and almost fully seen in the summer when the water in the lake reaches its lowest level. On the south-eastern side of the lake there is the Padma Raje Garden, where one can sit and relax. Formerly there were a few boats for going round in the lake which were used mainly by the Maharaja. Fishing rights were also reserved by the Maharaja. Now there are no boats in the lake. Fishing rights are annually auctioned. Very good Moral is found in the lake. The lake is named after the god Rank Bhairav, who is said to have been a great favourite with Mahalaksmi and to have a gold temple now hidden under the water of the lake. The beginning of the Rankala lake is said to have been a quarry from which, according to the Jains, including the temple of Ambabal, stones were supplied to 360 Bastis or Jain temples built by a Jain Raja Gandharaditya. Afterwards in the eighth or ninth century an earthquake is said to have enlarged the quarry and filled it with water. The lake now receives water from two streams in the north and has also a waste weir outlet in the north. In 1883 the Rankala water supply was much improved. A new cut-stone dam higher and stronger than the old dam was built on the city side. This dam with its parapet wall still stands, although the height of the dam or embankment has slightly increased due to remetalling of the road on the top and the height of the parapet wall has correspondingly decreased. The lake is now owned by Government and is managed by the Public Works Department.
Bindu chowk
Bindu Cauk is a square in the heart of the town. In this . square there is a semi-circular place for public meetings. This place is paved and fenced and has a specially built dias at one end. It has a picturesque background of the only remaining bastions of the old city wall and on the south is the only remaining gate viz., the Ravivar Ves. On either side of the dais, there are two busts, one of Mahatma Phule and the other of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. All major public meetings are held at this place.
Sathmari
Sathmari or the arena for elephant fights is on Subhas Road in the south-eastern part of the old city. It is a plot of about two acres with small stone castles built at different points where the persons provoking the elephants to fight could take shelter. The whole plot is fenced round with a wall on the top of which there is place for the spectators. Elephant fights were popular during the rule of Sahu Chatrapati. Now the place is used as a playground and is only a remainder of the old sport.
Wrestling Arena
Kolhapur is known for wrestling. To encourage wrestling a special wrestling arena has been built by the former Kolhapur State Government. The arena is between Subhasa Cauk and Kesavarao Bhosale Natyagrha (old Palace Theatre). It is a circular open place with a pavilion at one end and circular sloping ground all round. The ring is in the middle. The arena can accommodate 20,000 persons at a time. The arena is now owned by Government and has been leased out to the Kolhapur Sports Association which arranges wrestling bouts periodically.
Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital
The C. P. R. Hospital or the Civil Hospital (formerly known as Albert Edward Hospital) is situated on the Bhausingji Road near the old Queen's or Rani Circle. The main building of the hospital is an example of English architecture of Gothic style of the nineteenth century. It was constructed between 1881 and 1884 at a cost of Rs. 3 lakhs. It is a two storeyed structure with a small portion behind the porch at the entrance going up to three or four storeys. This portion has a steep tiled roof ending up with wrought iron railing at the top.
The hospital has accommodation for 200 patients. On the ground floor are the administrative offices and a small general ward. On the first floor are two general wards, the one on the right hand side as one goes up the staircase, is a female and children's ward and the other slightly higher up on the left is the male ward. There is a well-equipped operation theatre on the first floor. Behind the main building there is a newly constructed T. B. Ward and a small ward for infectious diseases. On the southern side there are special rooms in what is called Nursing Home. In the open space in front of the main building on the southern side there is the out-patient department with X-Ray arrangement. This building is comparatively a recent construction. There is a separate maternity home attached to the Civil Hospital. This is known as Padma Raje Maternity Home. It is in the same compound as the main hospital but is at the other end. It is a two-storeyed building.
Karvir Nagar vachan Mandir
The library was founded in 1850 and was then known as the Kolhapur Native Library. It was originally housed in a building which was later on taken over by the Government. The present building was constructed between 1879 and 1881. In 1921 the reading hall on the east was built.
There is a reading hall in the original building where newspapers and magazines are available for reading. Books are issued out for reading at home. There is another reading hall in the building constructed later where reference books are generally available. There were 26,000 books in the library in 1957.