Rankala Lake

Rankala Lake in the heart of Kolhapur is the city's social centrepiece, believed to have formed naturally from quarries used for building the Mahalaxmi Temple. The lake's stone tower and Rajghat ghats are the departure points for boating, while the surrounding promenade is lined with gardens, coconut palms and the atmospheric Chaupati where vendors serve Kolhapuri bhel, ragda pattice and local snacks. The elegant Shalini Palace stands on the northern bank. The lake offers the most memorable sunset in Kolhapur, with Jyotiba Temple hill and Panhala Fort visible on clear evenings.