City of Foxes
Driving on the beautiful NH-4 highway, some 500kms away from Mumbai, during lunch time and suddenly we saw a sign board that indicated that we were very close to a city, whose name if literally translated from Marathi to English would mean 'City of Foxes'.
Now, I am not sure if there is even a single fox in the city because it actually derives it's name from a mythological demon which was supposed to protect it. The city is, also, sometimes known as a Princely state, since everybody from the Peshwas to the British Raj had used it as their headquarters.
Being the ideal spot to catch a quick bite, we exited the highway and entered the city through a large gate or Dwaar as it is commonly known. Just behind the gate, we were welcomed by an advertising hoarding that actual depicts the Mona Lisa decorated with a golden nose ring and also adorning two beautiful earrings and a wonderful diamond necklace that would give any bride, a run for her money.
Moving on, into the city, along a 'not-so-well' maintained road, we came to a halt; not because we encountered a traffic signal, but because we had to wait, until a train of a dozen or so bullock carts crossed the road, perpendicular to us. Each cart was being pulled by a couple of bullocks and carried enough cane at the back to give any sane person a serious diabetic attack!
Once that was through we moved along further until we came across a large statue of Chartrapati Shivaji Maharaj brandishing a magnificent sword, riding a prancing horse. We circled around the statue and drove into the Ayodhya hotel adjacent to it. Here, we were served the signature chicken dish that can be truly branded as 'super spicy'. Luckily, we had ordered for a few chilled beers and some fresh lime soda, that made our ordeal slightly bearable.
Post lunch, we again drove out on the same road that brought us into the city wherein we, once again, crossed the desi version of Mona Lisa and as we exited the grand gate I read a small sign that said: 'Thank You for visiting Kolhapur'
Now, I am not sure if there is even a single fox in the city because it actually derives it's name from a mythological demon which was supposed to protect it. The city is, also, sometimes known as a Princely state, since everybody from the Peshwas to the British Raj had used it as their headquarters.
Being the ideal spot to catch a quick bite, we exited the highway and entered the city through a large gate or Dwaar as it is commonly known. Just behind the gate, we were welcomed by an advertising hoarding that actual depicts the Mona Lisa decorated with a golden nose ring and also adorning two beautiful earrings and a wonderful diamond necklace that would give any bride, a run for her money.
Moving on, into the city, along a 'not-so-well' maintained road, we came to a halt; not because we encountered a traffic signal, but because we had to wait, until a train of a dozen or so bullock carts crossed the road, perpendicular to us. Each cart was being pulled by a couple of bullocks and carried enough cane at the back to give any sane person a serious diabetic attack!
Once that was through we moved along further until we came across a large statue of Chartrapati Shivaji Maharaj brandishing a magnificent sword, riding a prancing horse. We circled around the statue and drove into the Ayodhya hotel adjacent to it. Here, we were served the signature chicken dish that can be truly branded as 'super spicy'. Luckily, we had ordered for a few chilled beers and some fresh lime soda, that made our ordeal slightly bearable.
Post lunch, we again drove out on the same road that brought us into the city wherein we, once again, crossed the desi version of Mona Lisa and as we exited the grand gate I read a small sign that said: 'Thank You for visiting Kolhapur'
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