Panhala Fort

Panhala Fort, also called Panhalgad, stands on a Sahyadri hilltop about 18 km north-west of Kolhapur, at roughly 3,200 ft and more than 400 m above the surrounding plain. It goes back to the reign of the Shilahara king Bhoja II (1178–1209), one of 15 forts built under him along with Vishalgad and Bhudargad, and copper plates record his rule here. The name is said to mean house of serpents.

Shivaji Maharaj spent more than 500 days at Panhala, and the fort is tied to the Battle of Pavan Khind, where Baji Prabhu Deshpande held back the enemy so that Shivaji could get away safely. Within the walls are the old Ambabai temple, the Sajja Kothi pavilion and a sunset point at the highest spot, while the Prashar caves and Someshwar temple lie close by. Shivaji Jayanti in February is marked with lights and prayers.