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Panhala

''Panhala lies on the Sahyadri Mountain Range and is situated in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is about 22 km to the northwest of Kolhapur on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri road and is at an altitude of 3177 feet above sea level.
The place houses famous Panhala fort which has great acquaintance with Maratha Empire. As is known about Maratha king Shivaji, who never spent too many days at a place, this was the only place where he had spent more than one and half years of his life. ''

Panhala was the capital city of Maratha state until 1782 but later on after Maratha –British war it came to British Empire. The largest fort of the Deccan region is built on outlaying of Sahyadri range of mountains. Situated 400 meters above the plane Panhala fort is considered the safest forte in the region for its location. About its historical developments and chronology, the fort was built between 1178 and 1209 AD. Initially it was the headquarter for Shilahara ruler Bhoja II. Later on Yadav kings occupied it. It got full appraisal during the time of Bahamani kingdom of Bidar.

In early sixteenth century Panhala had become the part of Bijapur kingdom. Bijapur kings helped to make the fort more concrete and they got its gates and other parts rebuilt. Great Maratha guerrilla fighter Shivaji unsuccessfully raided this fort in the year 1659. Finally in the year 1673 he got success over invading the fort. Later on Mughal emperor Aurangzeb occupied the fort. Maratha tried to recapture but could not do too much.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The climate is delightfully cool at the altitude of 978 m from sea level. October to May is the best time to visit.

TTRACTION AROUND PANHALA

Dajipur Bison Sanctuarye - The Dajipur Bison Sanctuary is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts near the backwaters of the Radhanagari dam. Rugged mountains and thick forests abundant in wildlife surround this jungle resort.

Kolhapur Jewellery - The Jewellery from Kolhapur is beautifully crafted with delicate embossing and workmanship.

Kolhapuri Chappals - Kolhapur is well known for its textiles and cottons, but it is of course most famous for its hand-made leather sandals or chappals.

Sajja Kothi - is a major attraction at Panhala is the that was built by the Mohammedans in 1008 AD. There is a very interesting anecdote attached to this monument. It is said that when Siddi Johar, a formidable Bijapur General, attacked Panhala, Shivaji tricked the general by escaping from the window of Sajja Kothi while a brave stalwart Shiva Kashid disguised as Shivaji combated the wrath of the general.

Ambabai temple - This place is named after Duke Wellington whose pointed nose this cliff resembles. It also looks like a hood of a snake, which is why it is also called as "Nagfani" (Hood of Snake). This point can be approach from INS Shivaji and Kurwande Village. Watching the nature's beauty here is an unforgettable experience.

Koyna Reservoir - The Koyna region includes parts of Mahabaleshwar, the Koyna Lake and around Satara. This region has excellent forest cover and the range from Mahabaleshwar to Jungli on the western edge of the Koyna Lake is a less frequented area. There are many passes and a lot of unknown trails, which can challenge even a seasoned trekker. The ferries on the Koyna Lake are an enjoyable way of approaching the forts on its western edge

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

Vengurla-Malvan - Vengurla is situated in the Southern part of the Maharashtra coastline. Its famous for its long stretch of shimmering sand, lined with thick cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves.

Vijaydurg - Sindhudurg - Vijayadurg and Sindhudurg were naval-bases during the reign Great Chattrapati Shivaji. Both these places gained importance because of their picturesque beaches.

CLIMATE

An average temperature at Panhala is 25 C throughout the year.The ideal weather to visit Panhala is from October to December although tourists visit till May.

HOW TO REACH THERE

Air: The airport closest to Panhala is the airport at Kolhapur airport at a distance of 35 km from Panhala. Panhala is 416 km from Mumbai and about 200 km from Pune.

Rail: The Kolhapur railway station is only 26 km from Panhala.

Road: State Transport buses ply between Kolhapur and Panhala every 2 hours during the day.