The Shri Mahalaxmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India, is one of the Shakti Peethas also called Dakshin Kashi, listed in various puranas of Hinduism. According to these writings, a shakti peetha is a place associated with Shakti, the goddess of power. The Kolhapur peetha is of special religious significance, being one of the six places where it is believed one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple reside in the area.
Shree Jotiba is a holy site of Hinduism near Wadi Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. The deity of the temple is known by the same name, and is held by the locals to be an incarnation of three gods: Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesha, and Jamadagni. An annual fair takes place on the full moon night of the Hindu months of Chaitra and Vaishakha. Shree Jotiba temple is an important Hindu religious destination located at an altitude of 3124 feet above sea level in the Panhala range of Maharashstra. It is believed that the main deity the Shree Jotiba is formed from the souls of three Primary Gods, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Legendery stories tell that Jyotiba is formed to kill the demon Ratnasur.
Rankala is famous place to visit in Kolhapur. This lake was constructed by Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur. It is said that its deep area was get created due to quarries of stones which were used for construction of Mahalaxmi temple. There is temple of Rank Bhairav at the center of the lake. The name rankala to the lake is also derived from this god. The lake area is very large. There are differant types of birds around. One can see many lotuses in the lake. There is 'Choupati' around the lake. The 'Choupati' is beautified by Gardens. There are several coconut trees in ' Shalini Palace' garden. At 'Choupati' you can get all kinds of 'chatts' and Ice creams. The 'Vada Pav' over here is famous in Kolhapur.
Panhala lies on the Sahyadri Mountain Range and is situated in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. It is about 22 km to the northwest of Kolhapur on the Kolhapur-Ratnagiri road and is at an altitude of 3177 feet above sea level. Panhala or Panhalgarh, about 19kms north-west of Kolhapur, is possibly the largest and most important fort of the Deccan. Roughly triangular in shape, the hill fort stands at a height of about 850 metres & has a circumference of approximately 7.25kms. Half of its length is protected by a natural scarp reinforced by a parapet wall and the remaining half is surrounded by a strong stone wall strengthened with bastions.