Kolhapur : City of Mahalaxmi
In our country, there are numerous cities and places with fame and religious importance. When we talk about this the first place and crowing status is occupied by the city named Kashi, Banaras or Varanasi situated on the banks of most scared river "Ganga" in the Uttarpreadesh . A very few other cities are matching with this fame and importance and among these one most prominent city is the Kolhapur which in the history pages also mentioned as "Kashi of South India". In fact the city is the genuine mixture of old heritage, rich civilization and modern technical advancement though in the field of technology and industries many mile stones are still to be created by the city. Kolhapur is probably the first city from Maharshtra India for which you can have city info by using your mobile phone. Just type http://m.kolhapurworld.com in your mobile browser and get all the information about the city.
Kolhapur district is the southernmost district of Maharashtra. District headquarter is Kolhapur City which is an ancient city. The city is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and is known as 'Dakshin Kashi'. Kolhapur is seat of Goddess Mahalaxmi and is one of the Shaktipeeths mentioned in Indian mythology. Kolhapur, was ruled by Silaharas, Yadavas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas in the medieval times.
The growth of district in modern times is fascinating. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja is an architect and founder of modern Kolhapur. The district is abundant in natural resources- water, soil, natural vegetation, animal wealth and minerals. As a result, Kolhapur is one of the most agriculturally advanced districts of not only Maharashtra but also India. It is fast becoming an industrialized district as well and already a front runner in agro-based industries. Kolhapur District is one of the shining examples in the Co-operative Movement of India. No doubt, the district has the highest per capita income in the Maharashtra State and one of the highest in the country.
Kolhapur has a distinct culture developed as a result of rich history and its quality of people who have been front-runners in various fields. Kolhapur is famous in the country and in the oversees lands for production of Jaggery, Kolhapur Chappals, silver jewelry, and Indian Wrestling.
The physical setting of the Kolhapur district is divided into three main parts namely Eastern ranges, Central ranges and Southern ranges. Eastern and Central ranges have black soil formed from 'lava' and at some places it has large tracks of fertile land. The western ranges are mostly hilly and have red soil. The majority area in the west is under thick forest coverage.
Panchaganga, Warana, Dudhaganga, Vedganga, Bhogavati, Hiranyakeshi and Ghataprabha are main rivers which flows towards east through western Ghats. The river Panchaganga is formed by the tributaries namely the Kasari, the Kumbi, the Tulsi and the Bhogavati. Krishna river flows in the east on easten border of the district, similarly Tillari River flows on western border to west.
How to reach here
Though the Air travel facility for Kolhapur is still not fully functional and nearest air port is Belgaum just about 100 km from the city, but by road city is connected to various metros through NH4. Kolhapur is the last railway station on the Pune - Kolhapur rail lines. City is at the distance of almost 400 km in south from the Mumbai and about 220 km from Pune, the IT city of Maharashtra.
District Statistics
* The total population of the district is 3515,413.
* The geographical area of the district is 7685 Sq.Kms.
* The population density of the district is 457 persons per square kilometers. The urban density is 1804 and the rural density is 327.
* 29.65 percent population of the district lives in urban areas. There is an increase of 3.32 percent compared to 1991 urban population.
* The annual population growth rate in last decade (1991-2001) is 1.76 the urban annual growth rate is 3.24 and for rural it is 1.23.
* The sex ratio of Kolhapur district is 949. Urban sex ratio is 918 and rural sex ratio is 962.
* The average literacy in Kolhapur district is 77.23 percent. Urban literacy is 86.13 percent and rural literacy is 73.41 percent.
* The female literacy in the district is 66.38 percent and this increase is 13.3 percent compared to the last decade.
* There is 10.29 percent increase in average literacy of the district over l
ast decade.
* 12.49 percent population of the district is in the age-group of 0-6.
* The SC population of the district is 12.75 percent and ST population is only 0.49 percent.
Two most important things that are related with fame of the city are Karveer Niwasini Shri Amba Devi [Temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi] beside the religious importance temple is famous for unique and super natural phenomenon "Kiranoutsav". Hand made "Kolhapuri Chappals" footwear are the another reason for the world fame of the city.
In our country, there are numerous cities and places with fame and religious importance. When we talk about this the first place and crowing status is occupied by the city named Kashi, Banaras or Varanasi situated on the banks of most scared river "Ganga" in the Uttarpreadesh . A very few other cities are matching with this fame and importance and among these one most prominent city is the Kolhapur which in the history pages also mentioned as "Kashi of South India". In fact the city is the genuine mixture of old heritage, rich civilization and modern technical advancement though in the field of technology and industries many mile stones are still to be created by the city. Kolhapur is probably the first city from Maharshtra India for which you can have city info by using your mobile phone. Just type http://m.kolhapurworld.com in your mobile browser and get all the information about the city.
Kolhapur district is the southernmost district of Maharashtra. District headquarter is Kolhapur City which is an ancient city. The city is situated on the banks of river Panchganga and is known as 'Dakshin Kashi'. Kolhapur is seat of Goddess Mahalaxmi and is one of the Shaktipeeths mentioned in Indian mythology. Kolhapur, was ruled by Silaharas, Yadavas, Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas in the medieval times.
The growth of district in modern times is fascinating. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja is an architect and founder of modern Kolhapur. The district is abundant in natural resources- water, soil, natural vegetation, animal wealth and minerals. As a result, Kolhapur is one of the most agriculturally advanced districts of not only Maharashtra but also India. It is fast becoming an industrialized district as well and already a front runner in agro-based industries. Kolhapur District is one of the shining examples in the Co-operative Movement of India. No doubt, the district has the highest per capita income in the Maharashtra State and one of the highest in the country.
Kolhapur has a distinct culture developed as a result of rich history and its quality of people who have been front-runners in various fields. Kolhapur is famous in the country and in the oversees lands for production of Jaggery, Kolhapur Chappals, silver jewelry, and Indian Wrestling.
The physical setting of the Kolhapur district is divided into three main parts namely Eastern ranges, Central ranges and Southern ranges. Eastern and Central ranges have black soil formed from 'lava' and at some places it has large tracks of fertile land. The western ranges are mostly hilly and have red soil. The majority area in the west is under thick forest coverage.
Panchaganga, Warana, Dudhaganga, Vedganga, Bhogavati, Hiranyakeshi and Ghataprabha are main rivers which flows towards east through western Ghats. The river Panchaganga is formed by the tributaries namely the Kasari, the Kumbi, the Tulsi and the Bhogavati. Krishna river flows in the east on easten border of the district, similarly Tillari River flows on western border to west.
How to reach here
Though the Air travel facility for Kolhapur is still not fully functional and nearest air port is Belgaum just about 100 km from the city, but by road city is connected to various metros through NH4. Kolhapur is the last railway station on the Pune - Kolhapur rail lines. City is at the distance of almost 400 km in south from the Mumbai and about 220 km from Pune, the IT city of Maharashtra.
District Statistics
* The total population of the district is 3515,413.
* The geographical area of the district is 7685 Sq.Kms.
* The population density of the district is 457 persons per square kilometers. The urban density is 1804 and the rural density is 327.
* 29.65 percent population of the district lives in urban areas. There is an increase of 3.32 percent compared to 1991 urban population.
* The annual population growth rate in last decade (1991-2001) is 1.76 the urban annual growth rate is 3.24 and for rural it is 1.23.
* The sex ratio of Kolhapur district is 949. Urban sex ratio is 918 and rural sex ratio is 962.
* The average literacy in Kolhapur district is 77.23 percent. Urban literacy is 86.13 percent and rural literacy is 73.41 percent.
* The female literacy in the district is 66.38 percent and this increase is 13.3 percent compared to the last decade.
* There is 10.29 percent increase in average literacy of the district over l
ast decade.* 12.49 percent population of the district is in the age-group of 0-6.
* The SC population of the district is 12.75 percent and ST population is only 0.49 percent.
Two most important things that are related with fame of the city are Karveer Niwasini Shri Amba Devi [Temple of Goddess Mahalaxmi] beside the religious importance temple is famous for unique and super natural phenomenon "Kiranoutsav". Hand made "Kolhapuri Chappals" footwear are the another reason for the world fame of the city.
