Kolhapur... a city blessed by Mahalaxmi & followed the footprints of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj !
25 June 2021
Famous as Dakshin Kashi (दक्षिण काशी) (a holy place Kashi in South India), Kolhapur is amongst few ancient cities in India, with strong trade relations with the western countries of the world. During excavations made on the bank of the Panchganga River, the idol of POSIEDON (year 3500 BC), the Greek sea god was found which can be seen at the Town Hall museum in the city. An idol produces with the same mould is available in Greece. It's an indication of our age old trade links with the West. As has been mentioned by Ptolemy, a famous historian of the 2nd century, Kolhapur was one of the leading centers of trade & commerce in India. These links dates back to more than 5000 years.
Mythological and religious importance of Kolhapur begins with the supreme goddess Mahalaxmi (Ambabai). As mentioned in 'Devi Mahatmya' (देवी महात्म्य) and 'Shrimad Devi Bhagawatam' (श्रीमद् देवी भगवतम्); Kolhapur is a very important place to worship of 'Shakti' (शक्ती) and therefore it is known as “Shakti peetha (शक्ती पिठ)”.
The region was glorified by the Chalukyas who built The Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple and subsequent rulers, the Shilaharas and Yadavas renovated it during their regime.
This entire region has experienced the rules of many historical dynasties such as, the Satvahanas (सातवाहन), the Rashtrakutas (राष्ट्रकूट), the Chalukyas (चालुक्य), the Shilaharas (शिलाहार) and the Yadavas (यादव). Obviously, every dynasty has left its footprints in this region.
The Kolhapur territory is blessed with a fertile soil watered by in all 14 rivers. Kolhapur traditionally was having an Agri-domainer economy. During the 20th century, Kolhapur came up to the forefront with its sugar cane cultivation and eventually jaggery production became the major industry in this region.
It is during the regime of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the Kolhapur city emanated to be known as 'Kalapur' for the farsighted patronage of the State of the performing Art, Painting, sculpture as well as ground Sports. The legendary names like Ustaad Alladiya Khan, Keshavrao Bhosale, Govindrao Tembe & many such doyens contributed in raising the status of the Hindustani Classical Music unequivocally.
The Art of Painting got flourished over here with the fine touch of Abalal Rehman, Baburao Painter, Baba Gajbar, Ravindra Mestry, G. Kambl & many others.
The names like Khashaba Jadhav (who brought the bronze medal in Olympics 1952, Helisinki) as well as Jaysing Kusale in the wrestling/Shooting respectively, made their mark in the ground sports activity of the city. The rich art tradition continues even today.
An equestrian statue of the indomitable warrior, Maratha queen of Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Tararani, located at the doorsteps of the city reflects her aggressive nature of fighting against the enemy. The gigantic bronze sculpture, standing on only two points of support of hind legs of her galloping horse, is one of its kind in India and is proudly reckoned as only the second such monument in the World.
The names like Khashaba Jadhav (who brought the bronze medal in Olympics 1952, Helisinki) as well as Jaysing Kusale in the wrestling/Shooting respectively, made their mark in the ground sports activity of the city. The rich art tradition continues even today.
An equestrian statue of the indomitable warrior, Maratha queen of Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Tararani, located at the doorsteps of the city reflects her aggressive nature of fighting against the enemy. The gigantic bronze sculpture, standing on only two points of support of hind legs of her galloping horse, is one of its kind in India and is proudly reckoned as only the second such monument in the World.