Day 11: Sagareshwar

DESTINATION : KARAD Santuary -->

ROUTE : KOLHAPUR ---- AH 47 , SHIRALA BYPASS & SH 144 ---- KARAD
PLACES : KOLHAPUR ,SAGARESHWAR,CHANDOLI.
The high point of everybody's visit to Kolhapur
is invariably the offering of prayers to the
resident Goddess Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) and
seeking her benevolent blessings for peaceful,
prosperous & contented life. The Mahalaxmi
Temple, steeped in history & mythology, is
situated 3 Km away from both central bus stand and railway Station.
Behind the Mahalaxmi Temple, one finds the Old Palace known as Juna
Rajwada. In the premises of the Rajwada nestles a beautiful temple of the
goddess Tuljabhawani, the beloved deity of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The architecture & sculptures of this temple are worth going miles to see.
Day 9 contd.:From Ghatprabha I needed to head straight for the highway for kolhapur.With constant eye on the watch I had to first
get on the highway so that I could atleast find some roof if at all i do not make to kolhapur.It started to rain heavily when I entered
Maharashtra and I had to pull my rain coat and ocover my baggage.the ride was difficult in the rains with heavy traffic passing by.
By the time I reached kolhapur situation was no different then Pandharpur and Tirupati.Again no accommodations to singles but I
was lucky enough that the caretaker understood that I was a genuine traveller as I showed him my maps and plans.
The lodge was very close to the temple and in the evening I ventured out to have a look at the place and have dinner.I also had to
make the next day plans as it required a detailed planning as the places were scattered and weather had also changed.I had to skip
some places as I would not be able to check all of them.

There was a light drizzle next day morning but by the time I started
for darshan it stopped.I hurried to the temple and was expecting lot
of security.But probably as it was too early in the morning I passed
without any checks.Also due to less rush I had good darshan and
did my prayers.After spending some time in and around the temple
checking the carvings and the sculptors I left.Kolhapur is full of
places of tourist interest but due time constraint I visited only the temple and kept rest for future.
The next two places were on the opposite sides of the highway.On the way to Sagareshwar rains stopped but it was still cloudy.After
checking the temples I headed for the Santuary ,its a drive in Santuary but no proper markers in place.one of the local said one need to
venture deep inside to get the glimpse of the animals . But still was able to see mongoose and peacocks.Clouds were hovering above which made me worried.From sagareshwar I headed back to
the highway and then to chandoli dam .nearing too the dam the roads were no longer of tar but full of stones and hence the drive was difficult and slippery.just before the dam there is a tourist spot
where I saw some buses. People align at this spot and then a local guide takes them deep in the jungle where they can spot the animals and if lucky also a tiger.One person warned me not to
venture alone and instead told me check the dam.After the check post I saw the dam from a distance and then headed for karad.