Kolhapur is famous for Wrestling. Khasbaug wrestling stadium is one of the largest stadiums in India for wrestling with seating capacity of about 20,000 people. Kolhapur has also contributed in Olympic level games such as shooting, and swimming. Tejaswini Sawant, who won the Gold Medal for 50m rifle prone shooting at the 2010 ISSF World Shooting Championships held in Munich, is from Kolhapur. Virdhawal Khade who hails from Kolhapur has won medals in national as well as international swimming events. Anuja Patil from kolhapur is a cricketer from Maharashtra played in Twenty20 internationals for India. Rahi Sarnobat is an athlete from kolhapur who competes in the event of 25 metres pistol shooting. She who won two gold medals in 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. She won the first gold in 25m pistol event in pair with Anisa Sayyed. Suhas Khamkar is a professional bodybuilder from kolhapur.During his 12 years of successful professional career in bodybuilding, Suhas has won various accolades at the state and national level. Some of the prestigious awards to suhas credit are :Mr. India 2012 Overall Champion, Mr. India 2011 Overall Champion, Mr. India 2010 Overall Champion, Mr. Asia 2010 (First Indian to win Mr. Asia), Maharastra Shree, Mr. India (below 18 years category), 5 times Gold medalist in All India Railway competitions. Parth Ghorpade from kolhapur is a Winner of 5 National Karting titles including the 2008 and 2009 Rotax Junior and the 2010 Rotax Senior Championships.He has represented India at the 2008, 2009 & 2010 Rotax World Finals in Italy and Egypt.His Present racing activities are FFSA / Autosport Academy F4 Renault 1.6 French Championship.
Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd., Mather and Platt Ltd.(WILO SE) Germany, Raymond Zambaiti ltd. (a joint venture of Raymond’s Ltd and internationally renowned Cotonificio Honegger S.P.A, part of Gruppo Zambaiti, Italy ), Undercarriage and tractor parts ltd- Italy, Kolhapur Steel Ltd. (a subsidiary of kirloskar brothers ltd.), Fairfield Atlas ltd. (a subsidiary of Fairfield Manufacturing Co., of USA and a member of Oerlikon Group of Switzerland), Oswal F.M. Hämmerle Textiles Limited (a JV of oswal group and F.M.Hammerle- Austria), Carrera Holdings inc.- Italy, Tessitura monti – Italy, Soktas- Turkey, Dogetech- Taiwan, Bombay Rayon Fashions Ltd (BRFL),Manugraph India Ltd., Dalmia Bharat Sugar & Industries Ltd. (DBSIL), Menon Group of Companies, Bharatcab Cables, Jubilant Life Sciences ltd., Makjai Laboratories, Sanjay ghodawat group of industries, Indocount industries ltd., Eurotex Industries And Exports Ltd., Jindal fiitings ltd., Ghatge patil group of industries, R.M. Mohite group of industries, Banbury Exports Div. of Banbury Impex, Nagreeka Exports Ltd., Emmel vheelers (FIE group), Anshul Steels Ltd., Chemplast Sanmar Ltd., CTI-Precifab (a JV of Precifab Engineers, Kolhapur and ACCP, a nuclear subsidiary of CTI Group, France), Deccan Farm Equipment, Brevigliery, Verona, Italy and Nardi Machine Agricole, Selci Lama, Italy etc., Gangotri Textiles Ltd., Arvind Group of Textiles, KSL & Industries Ltd. etc.
Kolhapur ( Kolhapur.ogg (help·info)) is a city situated in the southwest part of the state of Maharashtra, India. Kolhapur serves as the headquarters of the Kolhapur district. Before Independence, it was a 19 gun salute princely state ruled by the Bhosale Chhatrapatis of the Maratha Empire. Kolhapur assumes a place amongst the cities having highest per capita income in the country and it’s one of the fastest growing cities in Maharashtra.The survey conducted in 2011-12 clearly showed that kolhapur district has per capita income (yearly) of Rs.1,01,044 which is 5 th highest in Maharashtra state and there has been an increase of Rs.17,000 as compared to the earlier survey conducted in year 2010-11. ‘Kolhapur’ is the fourth city in the Maharashtra state after Mumbai, Pune and Nashik where Maharashtra State government has allowed to construct high rise buildings up to 35 meters taking into consideration the rapid urbanization and tremendous growth of this city. Kolhapur is known as ‘dakshin (south) kashi’, ‘historical capital of maharashtra state’, ‘door of konkan’ as well as ‘city of wrestlers ‘ and ‘city of arts’. It is also known as a ‘city of palaces and temples’. Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchganga and is the location of the Temple of Mahalakshmi, a Hindu goddess.
Kolhapur’s climate is a blend of coastal and inland climate of Maharashtra. The temperature has a relatively narrow range between 10°C to 35°C. Summer in Kolhapur is comparatively cooler, but much more humid, compared to neighbouring inland cities. Maximum temperatures rarely exceed 38°C and typically range between 33 to 35°C. Lows during this season are around 24°C to 26°C. The city receives abundant rainfall from June to September due to its proximity to the Western Ghats. The heavy rains often lead to severe flooding in these months. Temperatures are low in the rainy season and range between 19°C to 30°C. Kolhapur experiences winter from November to February. The winter temperatures are a bit higher compared to other cities in Maharashtra such as Pune and Nasik. Lows range from 9°C to 16°C while highs are in the range of 26°C to 32°C due to its high elevation and being adjacent to the Western Ghats. Humidity is low in this season making weather much more pleasant. In 2005 & 2006 there was excessive rainfall in Kolhapur resulting in floods.
Shivaji university got 1290th ranking on international level, while 23rd ranking at national level in year 2012-13 leaving behind Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati(iitg) by 2 ranks at international level and by 1 rank at national level. Only three universities in Maharashtra got this ranking honour in which Shivaji University,Kolhapur was placed second with 1290 th, while Pune ranked top with 1082 th place and Mumbai university third with 1522 th place. Shivaji university was placed at 808 th ranking for Engineering field leaving behind University of Kolkata,University of Hyderabad,University of Pune, Panjab University.University ranking by academic performance (URAP) research laboratory conducted survey of about 2,000 universities in the world and declared this ranking honour. Shivaji University ranked 9th place in “Research in India – 2006” report submitted by American Scientists which is based on research publications from each university and research institutes in India.
Kolhapuri Misal is one of the famous dishes of Kolhapur. Hot and Spicy are the words which describe the dish to certain extent. This is a delicious dish. It is not a snack but a medium diet. Anybody who wish to have a variety of food, will definitely like this dish. For preparation of the dish confectionery items are preferentially used. Chivada, Shev, Papadi are the indigents of dish. A thin curry covers for all confectionary items. For making it tasty ginger, garlic, mint is also used. The dish is accompanied by a slice of bread. Some chopped onion along with lime makes it even more mouth-watering. Tasting it with the bread and enjoying the “Kat” (curry) is a craze in Kolhapur. In every hotel this dish is available but a few places in the city are renowned like the Khasbag hotel, Phadtare and Chorage Misal.
B. B. Nimbalkar, from kolhapur was an Indian cricketer, best known for his score of 443 not out during the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, which remains the highest score, and the only quadruple century, in Indian first-class cricket.During the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, playing for Maharashtra against Kathiawar at Pune, Nimbalkar made 443 not out, at the time second only to Don Bradman’s 452 not out as the record first-class innings and currently fourth-highest of all-time. He was unable to break the record because, with the total standing at 826 for 4 at the lunch interval, the Kathiawar side conceded the match; however Bradman sent a personal note to Nimbalkar saying that he considered Nimbalkar’s innings better than his own.He is still considered as one of the best 11 cricket players in the world.
During 940–1212 CE, it was the capital of the Shilahara dynasty of Kolhapur. An inscription at Teradal mentions that king Gonka was healed from snakebite by a Jain monk and Gonka built a temple of Lord Neminath. Many Jain temples in this region build in the next few centuries are called Gonka-Jinalya after him. During the reign of Bhoja I, a dynamic Acharya Maghanandi helped establish an institute at Rupanarayana-Basadi. Several kings and nobles of the dynasty were disciples of Maghanandi. Maghanandi is often called Siddhanta-chakravarti i.e. the great master of the scriptures, Gandaraditya I was his disciple. He is sometimes called “Kolapuriya” or walyaa to distinguish him from many other Acharyas with the name Maghanandi.
Kolhapur has been a military centre since old days. The Bhosale Chhatrapati had his own army before the British came. The British maintained their infantry and it was quartered at Infantry Lines near Line Bazar, but when the British units withdrew and the Maharaja was allowed to have his own army, the ‘Rajaram Rifles’ were formed. They were quartered in barracks specially built on a hillock near the ‘Tramboli Hill’. This continued to be the head quarters of the ‘Raiaram Rifles’ until the merger of the ‘Kolhapur State’ when this infantry was disbanded. Now a 24 th Maratha Light Infantry battalion 109 (Territorial Army Artillery) unit is stationed at Kolhapur and it uses the barracks built for the ‘Rajaram Rifles’.
Shivaji University, established in 1962, is located in Kolhapur. Shivaji University is named after the great Maratha warrior and founder of the Maratha empire Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It was inaugurated on 18 November 1962 by Dr. Radhakrishnan, the then president of India. It has a sprawling campus of 853 acres. The jurisdiction of the university is spread over three districts of Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara with strength of about 250,000 students studying in 279 affiliated colleges and recognised institutes. The university imparts education in 10 major faculties of Arts, Social Science, Science, Commerce, Education, Fine Arts, Law, Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, Engineering and Technology.
As of 2011 India census Kolhapur Urban Agglomeration had a population of 561,841 whereas the city itself 549,293 making it 78th most populous city in India. In this population males constitute 287,376 and females constitute 274,465 resulting into sex ratio of 955. Kolhapur has average literacy rate of 92.17% which is higher than national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 96.35% and female literacy is 87.84%. Population growth doesn’t show significant comparing to 2001 because the city limits have not been expanded since 1977 and trend of industrial growth observed outskirts of city. But it has population density of 8400 per km2 which is higher than state as well as district density.
According to Hindu mythology, Kolhapura was settled by Kolhasura, a demon who was later killed by Mahalakshmi to relieve the local populace. However, honouring the demon’s dying wish, the city was named after him. Kolhapur finds mentions in Devi Gita, the final and most important chapter of the Srimad Devi Bhagawatam, as one the important places of Shakti “Kollamma” worship, “Devi spoke:…”O King of Mountains! Still I am now telling something out of My affection to My Bhaktas. Hear. There is a great place of pilgrimage named Kollapura in the southern country. Here the Devi Laksmi always dwells….”
Kolhapur has a some good traditional dishes prepared from “Mutton” (goat meat) which are very tasty and delightful.” Pandhra Rassa ” the white curry is liked as a starter at Kolhapur. A Soup like dish of water used to boil the “Mutton” along with spices such as coriander, ginger & garlic etc. This is a very tasty pre-food item. Apart from taste it has certain medicinal use as well. This “Rassa” is recommended for cough and throat related ailments. This is a part of a well-know duo curries. the other one is termed as “Tambra Rassa”
Industries in Kolhapur mainly comprise of sugar, textile, automobile ancilleries, engineering and manufacturing units, forging and foundry units, milk industries and chemical industries. The Kolhapur district is a leading district in dairy farming; it boasts of milk-production with huge exports of milk and milk-products. The setting up of dairies Gokul, Warana, Mayur, Sphurti, Yalgud, Shahu has been a landmark in economic development of the district, especially Gokul Milk Co-operative which is one of the biggest dairies in India.
The city also lends its name to many common products such as Kolhapuri Lavangi Mirchi, Kolhapuri Gul and Kolhapuri Masala(spices). Most preparations in Kolhapuri cuisine include usage of “Kolhapuri Masala (spices)”. The most famous part of the Kolhapuri cuisine are red meat preparations called Tambada Rassa (Red Curry), Pandhara Rassa (White Curry), and Sukaa Mutton (Dry Meat)and Kolhapuri Misal(a type of snacks item). Jaggery is produced here in large scale due to large production of Sugarcane.
The statue of “Queen Tararani” riding a horse which is located in Kolhapur, is the only statue in the world because of its unique architectural design. The statue rests on only 2 legs of the horse.The equestrian statue of Tara Rani is very famous and one of a kind. Supposedly, only one leg of the horse supports the entire statue.The Bronze statue of Hon.Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar which is built at Bindu chowk in kolhapur is his oldest statue in the world.This statue was inaugurated on 7 December 1950.
Kolhapur is the sixth most industrialised city in Maharashtra. It is the 10th city of choice in India by Deutsche Bank. Its sugar industries account to a significant share of sugar, jaggery and baggase produced in the country: Kolhapur district has 37 sugar factories. It is fast becoming an industrialized district as well and already a front-runner in agro-based industries. It is one of the shining examples in the co-operative movement of India, with around 11,338 societies in the district.
Football is a very popular sport in Kolhapur. Kolhapur League matches are held at Shahu Stadium and most top flight teams are professional in nature. The football tradition is as old as wrestling in the city. The League consists of 3 divisions with over 50 clubs and around 1000 players registered. The I-League games are also held at Shahu Stadium. Also the international friendly between the Indian and Dutch women’s team was played in Jan 13 at the Shahu Stadium.
Major industrial estates in Kolhapur include Kagal-hatkanagale five-star Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Shiroli MIDC, Gokul-Shirgaon MIDC, Laxmi industrial estate, Parvati industrial estate, L.K. Akiwate industrial estate, Halkarni MIDC, Udyamnagar co-op industrial estate, top-sambhapur industrial estate (ongoing), Ajara MIDC, Gadhinglaj MIDC, Vikaswadi MIDC (ongoing), Ambap MIDC (proposed), Y.P. Powar co-op industrial estate etc.
Pheta (Feta) i.e. turban is a specialty in Kolhapur. Presenting one with a pheta is considered respectful. The turban is a long cloth of 3.5 to 6 meters. Saffron is the preferred colour of choice for Kolhapuri turbans. The turban is folded in six or seven folds in width after which an end of about 1/4 meter is left as tail which is known as Shemala. Turbans are specially used during wedding ceremonies and festivals like Dasara, Diwali & Gudi Padwa.