Photo spot in Kolhapur
New Palace (Shahu Palace)
Kolhapur, Maharashtra
An Indo-Saracenic palace of the Chhatrapati rulers with a black-stone facade, clock tower and a museum of royal arms, robes and trophies.
Best time
Morning, when the light is soft on the black stone and the lawns are empty; late afternoon for warm colour on the clock tower.
Best angle
Stand at the far end of the front lawn and take a straight-on photo of the palace with the clock tower in the centre of the frame.
Entry fee
Ticketed
Opening hours
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit New Palace (Shahu Palace)
Morning, when the light is soft on the black stone and the lawns are empty; late afternoon for warm colour on the clock tower. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for New Palace (Shahu Palace)
Stand at the far end of the front lawn and take a straight-on photo of the palace with the clock tower in the centre of the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Before the palace facade
By the clock tower
Outfit guide
What to wear at New Palace (Shahu Palace)
For photos at New Palace (Shahu Palace), maroon, cream and navy work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for New Palace (Shahu Palace).
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Kolhapur.
Eat nearby
Food near New Palace (Shahu Palace)
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for kolhapuri mutton thali nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
Search food by craving
Good to know
Local tips
Avoid Mondays, as the museum is usually closed that day.
Keep your camera for the lawns and front of the palace, since photography is not allowed inside the museum.
Allow at least an hour for the museum rooms and the Darbar Hall.
Go in the morning, when the rooms are cooler and school groups have not yet arrived.
Check whether the museum breaks for lunch before you plan an early-afternoon visit.
Walk down to the small lake and zoo in the grounds after the museum.
Take an auto from the Ambabai temple, which is about 2 km away.
The palace
The New Palace was built between 1877 and 1884 for the rulers of Kolhapur, in polished black stone. It mixes Indian and European ideas: lobed arches, temple-style brackets and small domes, with an octagonal plan and a tall clock tower in the middle. The Chhatrapati family still lives in part of the building, so you only see the museum and grounds.
The museum
The ground floor holds the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum. Its rooms are full of the family's things: costumes, jewellery, weapons, silver elephant saddles, letters from British viceroys and a sword said to have belonged to Aurangzeb. One wing is given over to hunting trophies, with stuffed tigers, bears, a lion and deer, and photographs of royal hunts and cheetahs being trained. It is a window into how a princely state lived.
Darbar Hall
The Darbar Hall rises through two floors in the centre of the palace. Stained-glass windows in the side arches show scenes from the life of Shivaji, and a raised throne sits at one end under an iron balcony.
Rules
Photography is not allowed inside the museum. The museum usually closes on Mondays and may break for lunch, so check timings before you go. Entry is ticketed.
The grounds
Outside there are wide lawns, a small lake and a zoo with deer, peacocks and water birds. Families come in the evening. The palace is about 2 km north of the Ambabai temple, an easy auto ride.
Questions
New Palace (Shahu Palace) — FAQ
What is the best time to visit New Palace (Shahu Palace)?
Morning, when the light is soft on the black stone and the lawns are empty; late afternoon for warm colour on the clock tower. Stand at the far end of the front lawn and take a straight-on photo of the palace with the clock tower in the centre of the frame.
Is there an entry fee at New Palace (Shahu Palace)?
Entry to New Palace (Shahu Palace) is ticketed.
What are the opening hours of New Palace (Shahu Palace)?
New Palace (Shahu Palace) is open 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
What should I wear at New Palace (Shahu Palace)?
Maroon, cream and navy photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does New Palace (Shahu Palace) get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, when the light is soft on the black stone and the lawns are empty; late afternoon for warm colour on the clock tower.
What food should I try near New Palace (Shahu Palace)?
Try kolhapuri mutton thali, available at nearby restaurants.
Does the royal family still live in the New Palace?
Yes. The Chhatrapati family of Kolhapur still lives in part of the palace. Visitors see the museum on the ground floor and the grounds.
What is in the New Palace museum?
Royal costumes, jewellery, weapons, silver elephant saddles, letters from British viceroys, a sword linked to Aurangzeb and a large collection of hunting trophies.
Can I take photos inside the New Palace?
Not inside the museum. You can photograph the outside of the palace and the lawns.
When was the New Palace built?
Between 1877 and 1884, in polished black stone, for the rulers of the princely state of Kolhapur.