Panhala Experience: We visited Kolhapur and had Darshan at Mahalaxmi temple. We decided to stay at Panahala Fort instead of Kolhapur city. It was a 30 min.drive upto the fort. The fort is located at a height of approx.1000m. MSL. The climate here is usually cool. We checked-in in Hotel Hill Top, a nice & clean hotel. After having a brief rest we roamed around in the fort. The area around is calm & quiet. Sound you hear around is mostly of the birds. Clean and cool breeze was refreshing. There is a beautiful garden in the fort with many types of plants & trees. It takes half a day to visit the places of tourist interest. But a leisurely walk around the fort in evening or early morning is wonderful and refreshing. We felt the stay of 1 night was a little short for us, but have decided to visit again and stay here for a longer duration.

Food, sight-seeing and shopping: Kolhapur is famous for its various cuisines and is a place worth visiting for food lovers. You have a lot of choice, be it snacks or meals. You can try Kolhapuri Misal or Thalipeet for breakfast or as snacks. Jhunka-Bhakar, Sukka Mutton, Pandhara(White) & Tambda(Red) Rassa, Kolhapuri Chicken and many other authentic dishes from Kolhapur are worth trying. Do not forget to have sugarcane juice on the way. You can shop around in market for Kolapuri leather Chappals & Sandals.

Activities & things to do: Other than local sight-seeing there is nothing much to do around in the fort. But a leisurely walk around in the fort in evening & morning in the clean & cool air around will freshen you. It is a nice place to come and relax, away from the busy city life.

Travel tips, How to reach, travel warnings etc: We went to Panhala in our own car. It is hardly 30 min.drive from Kolhapur city. There are local transport available for Panhala from Kolahpur. THe road to Fort is in quiet good condition. You have to pay an entry tax while entering the fort.