Panhala

Major Attractions

[ Panhala Fort | Teen Darwaza | Dajjipur Bison Sanctuary | Koyna Reservoir | Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum | Vengurla-Malvan | Vijaydurg - Sindhudurg | Ambarkhana | Sajja Kothi | Ambabai temple and Sambhaji temple | Someshwar tank | Nayakini Sajja | Shopping ]

Panhala Fort
Carrying a rich heritage, Panhala Fort forms the largest of all the Deccan forts. This fort was built between the 1178-1209 AD, this is the only fort where the great ruler himself, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is believed to have spent more than 500 days. A few kilometers away are the Raj Dindi.

Panhala fort is 18-km northwest to Kolhapur. Although it has legendary connection with god Parashurama, King Raja Bhoja probably founded the fort in the late twelfth century. It covers a vast area, with massive perimeter walls over 7 km in length and a steep slope beneath.

Nevertheless, Panhala could not reasonably be described as impregnable. Over the years it has fallen to the Devagiri Yadavas, various Maratha chieftains and, in 1489, the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur army, who erected the ramparts that still stand. Shivaji took Panhala in 1659, only just managing to escape with his life a year later when it was retaken by the Bijapur army. According to tradition, he was saved because one of his lieutenants posed as the leader and was killed, allowing Shivaji to make a quick exit, and regain it later. After this, the fort fell to the Moghul Aurangzeb (1700), became Maratha State capital under Tarabai until 1782, and went to the British in 1827.

This imposing fort, 20-km northwest of Kolhapur, is built on an outlying spur of the Sahyadris, rising more than 400 m above plain, and is the largest of all the Deccan forts. The strategic importance of Panhala, guarding one of the principal routes through the Western Ghat, can be judged from its long and varied history. Built between 1178 and 1209, it first served as the headquarters of the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II, and subsequently passed into hands of the Yadavas. It was a favorite outpost of the Bahamanis of Bidar; Mahmud Gawan, the powerful Prime Minister, encamped here during the rainy season of 1469. By the beginning of the 16th century Panhala was absorbed into the kingdom of Bijapur. The Adil Shahis was responsible for strengthening and rebuilding the ramparts and gateways. Shivaji raided the fort in 1659, but it was not until 1673 that he was able to occupy it permanently.

In 1701 Panhala surrendered to Aurangzeb, and it was here that the Mughal Emperor received the English Ambassador, Sir William Norris. Within a few months the Maratha forces under Pant Amatya Ramachandra.Tarabai who asserted her autonomy by founding an independent dynasty retook the fort. In 1782 these rulers shifted their headquarters to Kolhapur. After a local rebellion in 1844, Panhala was taken by the British. More than 7 km of fortifications defines the approximently triangular zone of Panhala fort. The walls are protected for long sections by steep escarpments, reinforced by a parapet with slit holes. The remaining sections have 5-9 m high ramparts, strengthened by round bastions. Unfortunately, the British demolished the East Gate called Char Darawaja, through which the road passes on arrival at fort.

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Teen Darwaza
The Teen Darwaza "three door" gate meant successive doors could only be approached at an awkward angle, trapping troops in the inner courtyard and making it impossible to charge. A well in the corner was used to send word to allies; lemons with incised message were dropped into the water, and would float to a lake outside.

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Dajipur Bison Sanctuary
The Dajipur Bison Sanctuary is situated on the border of Kolhapur and Sindhudurg districts near the backwaters of the Radhanagari dam. Rugged mountains and thick forests abundant in wildlife surround this jungle resort.

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Koyna Reservoir
The Koyna region includes parts of Mahabaleshwar, the Koyna Lake and around Satara. This region has excellent forest cover and the range from Mahabaleshwar to Jungli on the western edge of the Koyna Lake is a less frequented area. There are many passes and a lot of unknown trails, which can challenge even a seasoned trekker. The ferries on the Koyna Lake are an enjoyable way of approaching the forts on its western edge.

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Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum
The New Palace in Kolhapur houses the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum- a weird array of the former Maharaja's possessions, which recently died in 1983. British architect Charles Mant designed the New Palace in 1881 in the Indo-Sarcenic style

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Vengurla-Malvan
Vengurla is situated in the Southern part of the Maharashtra coastline. Its famous for its long stretch of shimmering sand, lined with thick cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves.

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Vijaydurg - Sindhudurg
Vijayadurg and Sindhudurg were naval- bases during the reign Great Chattrapati Shivaji. Both these places gained importance because of their picturesque beaches.

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Ambarkhana
While at Panhala you must visit Ambarkhana. Ambarkhana was built by the Marathas and housed the administrative section, the palace, the mint, and the granary. Titled Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswati, the granaries could store as much as 25,000 khandis of grain. Since the soil was not suitable for agriculture, the provisions had to be stocked.

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Sajja Kothi
Another major attraction at Panhala is the Sajja Kothi that was built by the Mohammedans in 1008 AD. There is a very interesting anecdote attached to this monument. It is said that when Siddi Johar, a formidable Bijapur. General, attacked Panhala, Shivaji tricked the general by escaping from the window of Sajja Kothi while a brave stalwart Shiva Kashid disguised as Shivaji combated the wrath of the general.

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Ambabai temple and Sambhaji temple
Shivaji, a religious devotee, did not undertake any perils without paying obeisance to the goddess. The Ambabai temple stands vigil to this, which is another, must visit at Panhala.

While at Panhala you may also visit the Sambhaji temple. The Sambhaji temple was built in memory of Sambhaji, the first ruler of Kolhapur.

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Someshwar tank
The Someshwar tank of Panhala too is worth visiting. The tank came into existence due to the quarrying of stones that were required for the construction of the fort wall. There is a very well camouflaged well with a three-storied structure on top, Andhar Bav. This was cloistered to prevent any kind of water poisoning by the enemy.

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Nayakini Sajja
The Nayakini Sajja at Panhala manifests the intelligent warfare strategy used by the Marathas to dupe the enemies. The Nayakini Sajja has been very strategically located near one of the corners of the fort to conceal a deep ravine in between. When the enemies attacked from that corner, they would actually climb over the make-believe corner of the fort to accede the Nayakini Sajja and in the endeavor fall into the deep ravine.

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Shopping
Since Panhala is close to Kolhapur, the streets of Panhala are famous for selling Kolhapuri chappals.

Kolhapur Jewellery
The Jewellery from Kolhapur is beautifully crafted with delicate embossing and workmanship. People from Kolhapur have not gone too far from the traditional jewellery patterns of the Marathas and Peshwas.

Kolhapuri Chappals
Kolhapur is well known for its textiles and cottons, but it is of course most famous for its hand-made leather sandals or chappals. Kolhapuri chappals are popular throughout the world for their simple styles, quality of leather and design.

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