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New Palace, Kolhapur is an historic building on the Bahvani
Mandap-Kasaba Bavda Road. It was constructed during 1877-1884. Being
an excellent specimen of architecture built in black, polished
stone, it has been an attraction for tourists. It has extensive
premises with a garden, fountain and wrestling ground.
The whole building is eight-angled and has a tower in the middle.
The clock on it was fixed in 1877. At separate distances there are
small towers. On every glass are painted the events in Shivaji's
life. There is a zoo and a ground lake. Even today, it is the
residence of Shreemant Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the direct
descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of Maratha
Empire. |
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Mant's masterpiece at Kolhapur, however, is the New Palace, 1.5 km
further north on Bhausingji Road. Completed in the same year as the
Hospital, this complex presents a novel blend of disparate features in
contrasting basalt and sandstone. The principal south fecade presents a
double-storeyed range, with Neo-Mughal lobed arches beneath and
temple-like columns and brackets above. This scheme is interrupted by
trefoil arches capped with curving cornices and small domes. The same
elements cap the octagonal corner towers.
The ground floor of the New Palace accommodates the Shahaji Chhatrapati
Museum, given over to memorabilia of the Kolhapur rulers. Several
tourists from across the country visit the New Palace each year. This
museum exhibits royal ways of existence. It is open on all days save
Monday, from 9.30 AM to 6.00 PM.
It is dedicated to a fine collection of possessions of Chhatrapaties of
Kolhapur like costumes, weapons, games, jewellery, embroidery and
paraphernalia such as silver elephant saddles. A letter from the British
Viceroy and Governor General of India is the other memorabilia. There is
also one of Aurangzeb's swords at the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum. One
section has stuffed Tigers, Tiger heads, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, staring
Wild Buffalo, Lion, Black Panther, Wild Boar, Black Buck, a number of
other Deer varieties, and a Himalayan Black Bear.
The Darbar Hall occupies a double-height space in middle of the
Palace. The side walls display lobed arches filled with stained glass
illustrating scenes from the life of Shivaji; carved columns with
temple-like brackets support the cast iron balcony above. A raised
throne is placed at one end of the Hall. Photos include one of the
Maharajah with his hundredth dead tiger, elephant hunts and a series
detailing how to train a cheetah.
Getting There
Kolhapur is very well-connected with most of the cities in Maharashtra by a
good network of roads and railway. Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSTC)
has regular services on routes to major cities in India with semi luxury and
regular buses.
The Kolhapur Railway Station
known as Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus is well linked with the major
cities of the state as well as the adjoining states including Mumbai, Pune,
Bangalore, New Delhi and Ahmedabad.
Kolhapur Airport
is about 9 kilometers away from the city center and currently there are no
scheduled airlines operating at this Airport. The nearest domestic
airport is Belgaum
Airport, located at Belgaum, Karnataka, 120 km away from Kolhapur
Central Bus Stand.
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