Kolhapur city situated in the south-west corner of Maharashtra, India. Kolhapur, or as it seems to have been formerly called Karvir, is probably one of the oldest religious and trade centres in western India. In the Karavir or Kolhapur Mahatmya or account of the greatness of Kolhapur, Kolhapur is mentioned as the Kasi or Benares of the South. City situated on the banks of river Panchganga. Kolhapur is a blend of ancient tradition and modern influences. In 1945, excavations on the Brahmapuri in Kolhapur revealed the existence of an ancient town dating back to the Roman era. Kolhapur had different dynasties ruling it in the past, but it was under the rule of the Marathas that it became a cultural hub. Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaja is an architect and founder of modern Kolhapur. Chhattrapati Shahu Maharaja's reign lent a progressive spirit to the city and the king extended his patronage to arts like theater, film making, music, painting, sculpture, wrestling and crafts like tanning and jewellery's making. Of late, Kolhapur has become a prominent center for the Marathi film industry.
