2D-1N Pune to Kolhapur-Jyotiba-Panhala Tour Package

Start your journey from Pune in the morning and drive for about 5 hours to reach Jyotiba Temple, a holy site of Hinduism near Wadi Ratnagiri in Kolhapur district. The temple is dedicated to Jyotiba, an incarnation of three gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. You can admire the architecture of the temple, which has three shrines, a flag pole, a deepmala and a tower clock. You can also participate in the rituals and offerings at the temple1
After visiting the temple, drive for another 30 minutes to reach Panhala Fort, one of the largest and most important forts in Maharashtra. The fort was built by the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II in the 12th century and later expanded by the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur and the Maratha Empire. The fort witnessed several battles and sieges, especially during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. You can explore the fort complex, which has several monuments, bastions, gates, gardens and museums. You can also enjoy the panoramic views of the Sahyadri mountain range and the Rankala Lake from the fort.
In the evening, drive to Kolhapur city and check-in at your hotel. You can relax and have dinner at your hotel or explore the nearby markets and restaurants.

After breakfast, check-out from your hotel and start your sightseeing tour of Kolhapur. The first stop is Mahalakshmi Temple, one of the most famous temples of the city and one of the Shakti Peethas in India. The temple is dedicated to Mahalakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The temple was built in the 7th century and has a magnificent idol of Mahalakshmi adorned with jewels and flowers. You can also see the images of Mahakali and Mahasaraswati in the temple complex. You can offer prayers and receive blessings at the temple
Next, drive to Rankala Lake, a freshwater lake located on the outskirts of Kolhapur. The lake was formed by an earthquake in the 9th century and has a Hindu temple with a Nandi on its bank. The lake is surrounded by chaupati, gardens, fountains and a zoo. You can enjoy boating, horse riding, bird watching or just relaxing by the lake. You can also visit Shalini Palace, a royal palace built in 1931-34 on the west bank of the lake. The palace is made of black stone and Italian marble and has a museum with memorabilia of the Kolhapur rulers
After lunch, drive to New Palace, another royal palace built in 1877-84 by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj. The palace is an example of Indian architecture with black stone arches, stained glass windows, wooden doorways and a tower clock. The palace houses the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum, which displays costumes, weapons, jewellery, paintings and other artefacts related to the history and culture of Kolhapur. You can also see stuffed animals, trophies and photographs of hunting expeditions by the royal family.
The last stop is Binkhambi Ganesh Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh located near Mahalakshmi Temple. The temple was built in 1882 without any pillar support and has an orange coloured idol of Ganesh. It is believed that the idol was discovered while repairing a well and is older than the temple itself. You can offer prayers and receive prasad at the temple
In the evening, drive back to Pune with fond memories of your trip.