Kolhapur is a good place to sample a typical Maharashtrian thali -- alu sabzi (spicy potatoes), sol curry (a sour, salty concoction made from kokum fruit), roti (breads), kheer (rice pudding), green chutney. Try Diners at Sambhaji Bridge or Opal hotel on the Poona-Bangalore road. Stalls around town offer piping hot local snacks -- vada pau (spicy potato cutlets sandwiched in a bread bun spread with red chutney), pani puri (crunchy crackers served with piquant chutneys and spicy potatoes) , dahi misal (pulses served with yogurt, onion, coriander . Typical Kolhapuri meat specialities are tamba rasa (a red mutton curry) or pandra rasa ( a white mutton curry).

Where to shop

Kolhapur is of course famous for its leather sandals. They are rather cheap out here. A good bargainer can leave Kolhapur with five pairs of chappals for just Rs 500. Kolhapur is also a good place to purchase textiles -- cottons. The town, a sugarcane centre is famous for its jaggery