India. It is situated about 311 km southwest of state capital Mumbai and about 163 km south of Pune. It is positioned on the convergence of Krishna and Koyna River. The town lies between latitude 17.28° in the north and longitude 74.2° in the east. The Postal Code of Karad is 415110 and the town is placed at an altitude of 566 meters.

Karad is popularly called as ‘The Sugar Bowl of Maharashtra’ because of its larger existence of sugar factories. Other than the sugar factories, Karad is home to top educational institutions which includes Government College of Pharmacy, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Doulatrao Aher College of Engineering and Venutai Chavan Arts and Commerce College.

History of Karad:

Karad is a historical town earlier known as ‘Karhatak’. According Hindu Mythology, Sahadeva (a brother of Arjuna) lived in the town and also believed that Lord Rama resided here. Karad also witnessed the rule of Mughal Empires.

Culture and Food in Karad:

Karad is populated with higher majority of Hindus and equal ratio of Muslims and Christians. Marathi is the official and widely spoken language in the town. Also several people speak Hindi and Urdu as well. The Devi Krishnamai Temple is the major worship place of Karad and there is annual fair celebrated with great splendor.

Karad Food is similar to Maharashtra style. Most of the natives in Karad uses rice, wheat, jowar and dal as part of their daily routine. Roti and Chapathi are the daily usable foods of the locals. Also the natives like non vegetarian dishes of chicken, fish and mutton.

In recent years, Karad is gradually developing in shopping sector. There are numerous branded cloth showrooms started their operations all around the town and also the town houses few handicraft product centres.

Connectivity to Karad:

Tourist can easily reach Karad by road and railway mode of transport from Mumbai or Goa. There are regular buses plying between Karad and its nearby regions and the buses are easily accessible from Karad Town Bus stand.

Karad has railway Station located 4 km away from the midpoint of the town and the major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Ernakulam, Kolhapur, Ajmer, Gandhidham, Bangalore and Mysore trains are available from here.

Kolhapur Airport is the closest airport to Karad situated 75 km away.

Visitor Magnetisms in Karad:

Devi Krishnamai Temple:

Devi Krishnamai Temple is a prime attraction of Karad lies on the banks of Krishna River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has stunning idol of Lord Krishna. A mandap and gabhara are other major attractions of the temple.

Sadashivgad:

Sadashivgad is a hill station widely popular for Sadashivgad Fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of Sadashivgad Fort. There is one temple of Lord Shiva located in the vicinity of the fort and the temple is visited by great numbers of pilgrims in the month of Shravan every year.

Vasantgad:

Vasantgad is a village famous for worship places, six piers and a citadel located at a distance of 2 km away from Karad Town. The fort located in Vasantgad comprises a ruined idol of Lord Ganesh and the fort is best view point for watching the flow of River Koyna. Chandragiri Ghal is located in the vicinity of the fort.

Shivaji Cricket Stadium:

Shivaji Cricket Stadium is the main landmark positioned in centre of Karad City. It is a very wide cricket stadium and has a large sitting arrangement. Other than the cricket matches, there are several cultural events like Independence Day and Republic Day celebrated in Shivaji Cricket Stadium.

The list of other tourist attractions in and near Karad include:

• Devi Koynamai Temple
• Agashiv
• Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Thoseghar Waterfall
• Chandoli Dam
• Char Bhinti
• Ajinkyatara Fort

 Best time to visit Karad:

End of winter months and beginning of summer months are the ideal time to visit Karad.

 Accommodation Options in Karad:

The luxury and budgeted hotels in Karad and Satara (55 km) are as follows:

• Hotel Pankaj Executive
• Shree Annapurna Prasad Hotel
• Sangam Hotel
• Bhagyashri Hotel
• Ajanta Resort
• Hotel Alankar
• Krishna Palace
• Golden Tadka
• Hotel Hindmata
• Hotel Trupti Lodge
• Sagar Deluxe Hotel
• Rajtara Hotel
• Aakar International Hotel
• Sairaja Hotel
• Nisarg Resort
• Sai Palace Hotel

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Satara is a metropolis in Maharashtra, India. The city is surrounded by seven knolls on all the sections and hence it is titled as Satara. It is famed as the two huge rivulets specifically the Veena and Krishna instigated from the Mahabaleshwar gather collectively at Kshetra Mahuli. The convergence at Mahuli has numerous narratives recollection of primordial account. This metropolis is flamboyant with vast natural world and a serene and calm site for the passive livelihood. Satara is a vacationer’s enchantment with appealing picturesque splendor. The stunning lakes as well as streaming cascades make the spot a truly favored landmark. Natural world trips in Satara are an indispensable element of sightseeing in Satara. The whole vicinity is the domicile of earliest shrines with sandstone statuettes.

History of Satara

Satara was initially controlled by the Rashtrakuta reign. Later it was ruled by the Chalulya kingdom, which was followed by the Mauryan Empire. During the 17^th century, a period subsequent to the Muslim incursion Satara was the abode to the Maratha Empire. The Third Anglo-Maratha War took place wherein the British took possession of the province of Satara and allocated it to King Pratap Singh for the continuation of the city. In later days Satara incorporated into a section of the Bombay Presidency.

Tourist Attractions in and around Satara

Karad                     

Karad is one of the most significant cities in Maharashtra that is positioned just around 50 km from Satara town. Karad proffers an overabundance of landmarks like shrines, castles, knolls, masjids and minarets. The most renowned ones are the Devi Krishnamai Shrine, Sadashivgad Fortification, Priti Sangam, Buddhist Rock Cut Caverns, Karad Masjid etc.

Panchgani                     

Panchgani is a knoll posting located in the Krishna Vale of Satara District in Maharashtra. Positioned just about 49 km from Satara town the vale of Panchgani lies at an elevation of 1334 meters above sea level. Panchgani gained its title followed by the five hills contiguous the region. Panchgani presents a patent outlook of River Krishna and the shore lines on its adjacent sides.

Mahuli   

Mahuli is a pilgrim site positioned in Satara District of Maharashtra just about 6 km from Satara City. Mahuli lies at the convention summit of the rivulets Venna and Krishna. It is prominent for its shrines like the Mangalagauri shrine and numerous ghats. One can find the remnants of the antique shrines at various sites in Mahuli.

Aundh   

Aundh is positioned just about 30 km away from Satara City of Maharashtra. Aundh is legendary for its Yamai Devi shrine and Shri Bhavani Gallery. Yamai Devi shrine is a prehistoric sanctuary constructed on a summit. Shri Bhavani gallery has in excess of 8000 imperial pieces in its compilation and was recognized by the previous sovereign of Aundh- Shri Bhagwanrao Pantapratinidhi.

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary                     

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the natural world landmarks in Maharashtra. It is positioned in the west section of Satara District just around 70 km away from Satara City. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary extends over 420 sq km of the vicinity and comprises the East and West sections of the Koyna Dam.

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary that was created in the year 1985 is abode to varied genus of natural world such as brown capped woodpeckers, goshawks, mouse deer, gaur, sloth bears, sambar dhole dogs, tigers, cobras, long tailed nightjars, fairy bluebirds, panthers, giant squirrels, barking deer, otters, common langurs, pythons etc.

Places of attraction in and around Satara

• Shirdi
• Wai
• Koteshwar Mandir
• Sajjangarh Fort
• Pandavgad Fort
• Thosegarh
• Vasota Fort
• Mayani Bird Sanctuary
• Kaas Plateau
• Shani Shingnapur
• Tapola

Best season to visit Satara

The best time to visit Satara is during the months of June to February. The summers are very hot and temperatures rise very high. During the monsoon season the rainfall makes place look even more stunning. The climate in the winter season is very pleasant. Both the seasons are good for tourists visiting Satara.

Accessibility to Satara

By Road: Satara is positioned on the Pune-Bangalore Highway. Public and private buses are accessible from Pune, Mumbai, Aundh and Aurangabad to this place.

By Train:  The Satara railhead gets numerous trains from all the major cities across India. It connects the city to both the northern and southern parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airdrome to Satara is at Pune just around 123 km from the city. It gets direct flights from all the major cities across the country.

Accommodations in Satara

Satara is renowned tourist destination in Maharashtra. It has some fine celebrated hotels, resorts, guest houses and lodges. The hotels provide several facilities and the tariffs differ from hotel to hotel. Some of the hotels in Satara are listed here below.

• Hotel Radhika Palace
• Hotel Rajtara
• Hotel Lake View
• Hotel Mahendra Executive
• Girivihar Hotel
• Hotel Aakar International
• Sagar Deluxe Hotel
• Hotel Suruban
• Pooja Residency
• Hotel Maratha Palace
• Shreyas Hotel
• Shriman Hotel
• Hotel Niky Bunts
• Sayali Hotel

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Tapola is sighted on the Indian continent in Maharashtra state in the district of Satara. The coordinates to Tapola are 17⁰45’47” N and 73⁰44’29” E. Tapola, also known as Minikashmir, is 1438 meter from the sea level. During the summer season the temperature ranges from 15 ⁰C to 35 ⁰C and in winter season the temperature ranges from 10 ⁰C to 32 ⁰C.

The most favorable time to tour Tapola is from October to March.

History of Tapola

In the year 1350, the place was under the rule of the Brahmin dynasty. In the 17^th century, the Maratha ruler of Chandarao More family overthrew the then Brahmin ruler. Later the great Maratha ruler Shivaji administered the entire region. He constructed forts in and around the region. The year 1819, saw the victory of East India Company throughout the area and nearby region.

The year 1947, witnessed the end of the British Raj and marked the beginning of Indian Independence. Tapola is now under the administration of the Satara district.

People & Culture of Tapola

From the medieval times till the present day, the influence of Maratha culture still prevails in Tapola. The local language of Tapola is Marathi. However one can expect to come across people speaking Hindi and English languages. The major population of Tapola follows Hinduism religion while some worship Sikhism, Buddhism and Christianity in Tapola. Every year different festivals are celebrated in a grand way across Tapola with Ganesh Chathurthi, Holi, Krishna Ashtami and Diwali being the biggest of all.

Food and Shopping Tapola

All types of lip smacking food ranging from continental to non-continental, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian are available in Tapola. There are a plenty of shops selling various artifacts, colorful garments with exquisite designs and other consumer products at a reasonable price.

Tourist Places in Tapola

• Kas Pathar

This place offers an amazing display of exotic plants and vibrant colored flowers. There is a lake by the name Kas Lake which offers a beautiful picturesque landscape.

• Shivsagar Lake

This Lake is another most favorite attraction among tourist destinations in Tapola. The lake flows at a length of 95km. The Koyna Dam is built on this Lake.

• Vasota and Jaygad Forts

Created by one of the Kings of Shilahar Dynasty, was also under the administration of the great Maratha ruler, Shivaji. This fort, Vasota exists within the Wildlife Sanctuary at Konya close to the Lake Shivsagar. Formerly known as Vyaghragad fort, it now lays abandon. Many animals prowl around this fort.

Means of Commutation to Tapola

Tapola is well accessed from the rest of the places in India through roadways, railways and airway. Travelers can make use of the public bus service or hire taxi to travel within Tapola. The distance of Tapola from some of the cities in Maharashtra and neighboring states are given below

• Pune is located at a distance of 152 km
• Mumbai is located at a distance of 302 km
• Kolhapur is located at a distance of 202 km
• Nagpur is located at a distance of 1101 km
• Ahamedabad is located at a distance of 878 km
• Bangalore is located at a distance of 812 km

Wathar railway station is located at a distance of 90km from Tapola. Pune railway station is located at a distance of 150km from Tapola. There are regular trains from Mumbai railway station to Pune station.

Tapola is also connected to the rest of the world via airways. The closest airport to Tapola is at Pune which is located at a distance of 145 km. Mumbai airport is another airport in the Maharashtra state which is at a distance of 275 km from Tapola.

Accommodation Options at Tapola

There are four star and three star hotels in Tapola providing accommodations to tourist with world class amenities at a starting price of Rs. 3000/- per day. There are decent budget hotels where one can enjoy a memorable stay at Tapola for Rs. 450/- per day. Names of hotels in Tapola are listed below

• Koyna Agro Tourism
• Hotel Shivneri
• Tapola Lake Resort
• Lake View Sagar
• Brightland Holiday Village
• Surya Retreat
• Hotel Saket Plaza
• The Dhan Hills
• Hotel Anandvan Bhuvan
• Hotel Rajesh
• Fountain Hotel
• Bharat Hotel
• Hotel Treetop
• Grand Resort
• Pratap Heritage

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