09-Jul-2009
I smelled the air. All of a sudden it was different whiff along side the national highway. I looked out and the smell came from sugar-factory. ‘Umm.. I think I am near to the destination’ I said to myself.
It is always ‘relaxing’ moment when I am approaching my favourite city of Kolhapur. Its like a home away from home feeling. I just love the ambiance of the city and simplicity of the citizens. Somehow it always made me awe when I entered the city after crossing the Panchaganga river bridge.
The city boasts an amazing white and red curry food at various hotels such as Padma, Opel etc. I should perhaps go by the sequence what eatery schedule is recommended when you are there. In the morning have a big glass of raw milk. Then go have Kolhapuri Misal. Later to that, you can have yummy classic ice-cream which is very desi flavoured. For lunch go to Hotel Padma and have mutton thali where you will almost touch heaven. In the late afternoon you can have mirchi soda to prepare for the second meal of the day. Later you can relax by having few glasses of beer or red-rum or any other alcoholic beverage. It is a fact that Kolhapur is highest revenue generation centre in the state through alcohol. Then again you can either visit to Padma or Opel or Krishna and enjoy chicken or veg thali. At the end a day try Solanki ice-cream and end your fooding rituals with a sweet note. In the mean time ofcourse few mandetory things are important.
You have to visit the Mahalakshmi temple in the morning. It has a splendid ambiance. The vibes seem to change every time as you approach the goddess Ambabai. I mean it literally hypnotises you towards the core of the temple. Your emotions get stronger and stronger. It seems like you just wanted to go inside and near to Ambabai as you approach the temple. And when you enter actually inside the temple it seems - loving mother Ambabai has fixed her eyes on you. You are visible to her from every corner. Remarkable piece of architecture! I often imagined the thoughts of she asking me, how are you, are you fine kind of motherly questions in the Kolhapuri Marathi accent. The temple somehow always manages to take you to the relax stage. I treasure that and always look forward at the point when I leave from there.
The second must go place is vegetable market. It would have you score many points in the family, especially when your needn't have to worry for next week of vegetable. Yes you can buy a lot. The vegetable market is not only fresh but also cheaper. It is a region of wealthy, successful, well to do farmers. With abundant water, fertile soil and splendid physical capabilities, why can’t anyone be successful? Most importantly you get to hear the local dialect - its sweet and not like Pune's rude and irritated dialect.
Apart from all of this if you have a small family you can walk near Rankala, Shahupuri or around the fort. Moreover, you can always spend some time shopping silver ornaments.
Above all, I love the spicy simplicity in the people’s heart. It is just so good, full of courtesy. My father was working there before I was born, but it is because that courteousness and unfussiness they still approach my dad and make it a point to meet my father irrespective of how busy they are. It is more intriguing when my dad does not announces and goes, but still everyone manages to know their old mate is coming. This kind of urge in the heart is rare in cities like ours. That is why you breathe open air and your chest turn like a Kolhapuri wrestlers or perhaps like - his highness late Shahu Maharaj.
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