Kolhapur – Next I. T. and Industrial Hub of Maharashtra

Kolhapur – Next I. T. and Industrial Hub of Maharashtra

Since last decade or so Kolhapur city and district is looked up as the potential of being the next I. T. and industrial hub of Maharashtra state. The only hurdle was a little bit lack of infrastructural facilities here and there. Electric supply for the industry was one among the prominent infrastructural short coming, which is now being addressed with the “Power Grid Station” of one thousand Mega watts capacity, to be erected on the land expanded into 250 Acres of area at the Kalmbe Turf Thane near the city. Surely this is going to prove the much awaited boost for the enrichment of industrial growth in the area.

In the past also Kolhapur was considered for the “Sub Station” by the Power Grid Corporation but at that time political pressures shifted the project to Solapur. Now according to official sources as reported in local news papers, land for the project already has been acquired and plant erection work will start from January 2008. It will involve investment of Rs. 700 carores and will take almost three years to make the plant functional.

The project will not only solve the problem of industrial electricity supply but will effect in multiple ways. It will result in enrichment of industrial atmosphere of district in the direct dimensions; while in the indirect way will increase chances of regular air travel facility, though at present there is Air port at Kolhapur but without regular flights. It will also attract a boost for real estate sector, especially in the area near the plant. The proposed plant will distribute, electricity generated at atomic plants in Karanataka, through out the Maharashtra state.

Kolhapur : City of Mahalaxmi

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 last 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.

Weekend travel in the lap of Nature

Weekend travel in the lap of Nature

It was saturday night, when during our dinner we decided to take this sunday off from all of our works and spent whole day in the company of the nature beside our family members. It was not new for us as it is a set trend of our family that after a whole day of our regular works we all come together for dinner and not only exchange notes about our work but also disscuss our future plans. As it was decided we left the Kolhapur city before the clock corsses 7am. We were heading towards the Amba Ghat, a hilly destination at about 65km from our residence. It took almost over than one hour to reach there and feast of looking at natural beauty was infort of us with the breakfast. It was a marvellous exprience to have tea sips being coverd with clouds. Stairing to valley with green top from a high altitude Ghat road was not only refreshing for eyes but also was adding calm to minds. The magical effect of the place will reflect from the fact that it took almost one hour for our walk on spirial ghat roads to cover a distence of about 3km, before we decided to go through the rest of about 10km of Ghat by vehicles. Now we are heading towards the Ganpatipule, Swambhoo Temple of Lord Ganesha at sea shore. Almost a two hours driving in the lap of nature was sufficient to take us at one of the most famous temple of Maharashtra. After having Darshan it was time for the sea bath, though it is dangrous to go to sea at Ganpatipule but as usual no visitor comes over the temptation of going in. We all were there under the speeding white, though not far away from the shore but being with family members it was a pleasent play and memorable exprience for all of us, specially when the waves are going high with our shouts "Flood came! Flood Came". After a refreshing bath it was turn of delicious lunch, prepared in Malvani [Kokani] style, minimum use of spices with high coconut contents. "Sole curry" and "Malvani Chicken" were realy mouth watering and tasty. As it was just over 3:00 pm when we finished our lunch so instead of returning back to Kolhapur, We decided to go Jaygad Fort, a seventeenth century monument,constructed by King Shivaji , situated at about 30km from the Ganpatipule. It was a never forget exprience to drive on the sea side road and stairing at natural beauty, the whole one hour that we drive and stoped here and there the hot topic of our discussion was, if goverenment give a slight attention towards the Kokan tourism developement, these beautiful and unexplored sea shore will leave Goa sea shores miles and miles behind. As we reached Jaygad fort it was just as of dropping water on the burning coals, the situation of this reserved monument was a real pity, though it is situated just opposit to Jaygad police station but there was no one to look after the fort which is almost in the ruin status. The view of sea from top of the fort was one to go in and remains in the memmory for a longer time, with heavy hearts we turned to the Jaygad port just one Km from the fort. The narrow bay has not only filled our hearts with its scenic beauty but also assured the bright future of our country, we are heading towards.After having tea and snacks it was all the way journey back but it was once again the late evening beauty of Amba Ghat delayed our reaching back kolhapur by almost one hour.

My Related Writtings
Maharashtra Tourism
Kokan Tourism

Nag Panchami A day with venomous cobras

Nag Panchami A day with venomous cobras

India a land of miracles and faith in worship, an aspirant to the students of spirituality and religious rituals. Here you may find that every sunrise comes with a festival, a specific reason to celebrate the day, hence the phrase “Land of Festivals” is correctly used with the context of India. India is only country where you can find a worship celebration related not only to God and Goddess but also to plants and rivers.

The fifth day of bright fortnight of Shravan month [July-August] is celebrated as “Nag Panchami” through out the India, though celebration in south are at high notes in comparison of north India. The Indus Valley civilisation of 3000 B.C. gives ample proof of the popularity of snake-worship amongst the Nagas, whose culture was fairly wide-spread in India, according to Puranas some of the famous Naga Kings are Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. Sheshnag is the couch of the Lord Vishnu during the interim times of destroying of the universe and creating a new one. India is country of farmers and snakes are the friends of the farmer, as by eating rats, snakes are helpful in saving the food grains cultivated by the farmer. This is yet another evidence of wisdom of Hindu masters that this festival “Nag Panchami” celebration related with worship of snakes, is celebrated during the rainy season, when need of protection for snakes is at its top. Some of famous places for the celebration of this day are

Adiesha Temple in Andhra Pradesh

Nagaraja Temple in Kerala

Nagathamman Temple in Chennai

Hardevja Temple in Jaipur.

Nagdwar Temple Pachmadi, Madhyapradesh

I am going to share with you here about a place which is not so famous but where you can spends this day in the company of venomous cobras without any fear, you can find here numerous number of snakes moving freely in the courtyard of Gorakhnath temple without showing any intension of biting the human beings present there. This place, village “Battis-Shirala” is just about 50 km away from us, in the Sangli District of Maharashtra , nearly 400 km from the Mumbai. According to old aged, the roots of this celebration lie in, once Guru Gorakhnath was passing through this village, he saw that a woman was worshiping a clay snake idol, with the spiritual powers Guru Gorakhnath brought life to that cobra idol and ask woman to worship. Guru Gorakhnath told not to fear of the snakes; no human will die on this day due to snake bite. In the recent times people not only from the Sangli, Kolhapur, Pune and other districts of Maharashtra but a few foreign tourists are also visiting the place on this day to be witness of thousands of snakes moving freely. Some time back officials from the Chennai snake park visited and confirm that poison containing fangs of snakes are not removed even than it is amazing thing no one die due to snake bite.

The villagers start collecting the snakes about 8-10 days in advance and keep them in earthen pots and feed rats to snakes. The celebrations starts with early morning bath by the woman, who wear “Nav wari” , The traditional nine yard Maharashtarian Saree, and ornaments before the start of worship and offering of “Haldi coonkoon and Flowers”. All the earthen pots are taken to temple in procession, where after the religious rituals snakes are feeded with milk and honey. This is only place in world, where you can have a self photo, with the look of Lard Shiva, venomous cobra around your neck, without fear on this day.

Blue Aqueous Marine – Goa

Blue Aqueous Marine – Goa

That is something between science and myth, a blend of culture, traditions and modernization. A place in long shadows, calm cool, breezy day and long musical nights, loaded all the way with fun. Yes, I am talking about the one of the smallest state Goa , of India, a piece of land of about 40 beaches in the circumference of just about 100 km. “Go Goa , 365 days on Holiday” is just not a slogan for tourist attraction but is an invitation to live with history under the sky of modernization on the banks of fun and pleasure. The list of most searched key words of internet in relation of India tourism can’t be completed without the words beaches and Goa. See my previous two articles related with places.

Goa Images Reflections and Reality[Part One]

Sea Shore Planet: Tourist Paradise: GOA [Goa Part II]

When it comes to beaches of Goa, the tour can be divided into North Goa beaches and South Goa beaches. There are various travel agencies arranging site seeing beside the private car etc. If you have traveled before I will suggest choosing 2-3 spots for the day travel with local bus service that will provide you with a chance of looking into famous Goaian culture and life style. A unique facility available at Goa makes it more adventurous for the couples; here you can hire a bike, presence of English, Marathi, Kokani, Hindi and Portuguese as the spoken languages, small area of just over 100 km, and availability of detailed road maps are there to help you on your this voyage and that all will make your Goa trip a life time experience. Some of the most famous and visited beaches are

ANJUNA BEACH

The beach was discovered by the hippies sometime between 1950 and 1960 hence still most famous among them and also referred as the hippie s beach. When you are laying there on the pale golden sand you will feel that a white rushing stream is speeding to embrace you. The beach is famous for its street market and all night parties; it is your bargaining power that can allow you every Wednesday to take away anything ranging from a swim suit to a second hand bike almost at throw away price. The music loaded beach is just 8 km away from the Mapuca, the second famous city, after capital Panaji, of the state.

BAGA BEACH

Though it is a small beach situated in the west direction of Mapuca at a distance of about 10 km, but the calm and quite, wet brown sand and long shadows of palm tress makes it an attraction for tourists specially though who wish to have a time in peace away from the crowded beaches of Goa. Another attraction is the presence of best restaurants in the Goa, you can enjoy the romantic, candlelight, beach side dinner here and have the pleasure of being the part of exotic nightlife of Goa.

COLVA BEACH

Colva beach is for the people who wish to enjoy the company of family or friends with the only disturbance from the whispering sea. Unlike the Anjuna and Calangute beaches you will found this less crowded with tourist. It might be due to its location, at a distance from the two most famous cities Panaji and Mapuca. Colva will tempt you for long romantic walk on silvery white sand under the moon light and bright sunny morning will ask you to keep lying for some more time.

CALANGUTE BEACH

Surely the most visited beach just 16 km from the capital city Panaji, It has also fame for its holiday resorts, and is so attractive that it is often referred as the “Queen of beaches” you will found it perfect heaven of tourist with equal crowds of the foreign and domestic tourists. Here beside the water sports, children can enjoy the making of sand castles and in the beach side shacks you can enjoy cocktail with sighting the sea.

VAGATOR BEACH

The Sun Kissing beach is just 22km from Panaji, with ruins of Chopara fort, constructed by King Adil Shah, at its north end. Pure white sand and doted black rocks are the prime attraction of the place. It is a beach, typically dotted with palm trees and sea green water with people in swimming suit and having fun in water and gives you feeling of life coming to a postcard scene. Lush green form houses and tall palm and coconut trees with pictorial Portuguese bungalows gives such a beautiful look that area is utilized by many film makers. Hindi movie “Gumnam” the famous suspense film, was the first film in which this beautiful sea shore and ruins of chopara fort were picturised to create mixture of beauty and fear.

Other Tourist attractions

Though it is no more a beach but place has some historic value and place for water sports, specially for water scooter etc. Miramar is the city beach of Panaji. Apart from the Panaji and Mapuca, other worth to visit cities are, Madgaon, Wasco, Arambel, etc. A few other beaches are

Candolim Beach

Sinquerim Beach

Bambolim Beach

Arambol Beach

Benaulim Beach

Palolem Beach

Agonda Beach

BOGMALO BEACH