Best Photo Spots in Kolhapur
Kolhapur's photos come in two kinds: black basalt in town and green hills just outside it. Shoot the city in the morning and at sunset, and give the hill forts the early hours when mist sits in the valleys.
High crowdEntry Free
Jyotiba Temple
- Best timeMorning on a weekday, when the light is soft and the courtyard is calmer; late afternoon for warm light over the hills.
- ColorsPinkSaffronWhite
High crowdEntry Free
Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) Temple
- Best timeEarly morning, when the street outside is quiet and the black stone is in soft light; late afternoon for warm light on the towers.
- ColorsRedSaffronGreen
Medium crowdEntry Ticketed
New Palace (Shahu Palace)
- Best timeMorning, when the light is soft on the black stone and the lawns are empty; late afternoon for warm colour on the clock tower.
- ColorsMaroonCreamNavy
Medium crowdEntry Free
Panhala Fort
- Best timeEarly morning, when mist lies in the valleys below the walls; late afternoon for warm light on the old stone.
- ColorsSaffronWhiteOchre
Medium crowdEntry Free
Rankala Lake
- Best timeEvening, when the sun sets over the water and the sky turns orange; early morning for a still lake and soft light.
- ColorsWhiteCoralTeal
Black stone in the old town
Kolhapur's grand buildings are made of dark basalt, which turns grey and dull in harsh noon light and deep, rich brown in low sun. Plan your city photos for the first two hours after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
The temple from outside
Photography is not allowed inside the Mahalaxmi (Ambabai) temple, and photos of the goddess are forbidden. The good pictures are outside anyway: the carved gateway, the towers seen from the approach road, and the flower and bangle stalls that line it. Early morning is quietest. Ask before you photograph pilgrims or priests.
Palace and lake
The New Palace has a wide front lawn, so you can step well back and fit the whole building with its clock tower. The museum inside does not allow photos. In the evening walk to Rankala Lake, where the sun goes down over the water and the promenade fills with families and snack stalls. It is the easiest sunset shot in the city and costs nothing.
Hills and forts
Panhala Fort is at its best in the early morning and just after the monsoon, when the valleys below the walls are green and misty. The ramparts are long, so walk a little way from the car park to get the wall running away from you with the hills behind. Jyotiba is known for the pink gulal that coats its courtyard and its pilgrims, especially on Sundays and at the Chaitra full moon fair. Keep your camera in a sealed bag there, because the powder gets everywhere.
Etiquette
Do not fly drones near the temples or the palace without permission. At Jyotiba and Ambabai, keep photos to the outside and the approach, and do not photograph anyone in the middle of a ritual.
Questions
Kolhapur — FAQ
Can I take photos inside the Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur?
No. Photography is not allowed inside the temple, and photos of the goddess are strictly forbidden. Take your pictures from outside the gates and along the approach road.
Where is the best sunset in Kolhapur?
Rankala Lake. Stand on the promenade on the city side and look out across the water as the sun goes down over the far bank.
Is Panhala Fort good for photos in the monsoon?
Yes, if you are ready for rain. The hills turn deep green and clouds drift over the walls, but the stone gets slippery and views can vanish in fog. Late September and October give the green without the worst of the rain.
Will gulal at Jyotiba damage my camera?
It can get into lenses and buttons. Carry the camera in a zip bag, use a lens hood, and wipe it with a dry cloth afterwards. On fair days, a phone in a pouch is easier.