Rankala Lake is a freshwater

lake A lake is an area filled with water, localized in a basin, surrounded by land, and distinct from any river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake. Lakes lie on land and are not part of the ocean, although, like the much large ...

located in

Kolhapur Kolhapur () is a city on the banks of the Panchganga River in the southern part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarter of the Kolhapur district. In, around 2 C.E. Kolapur's name was 'Kuntal'. Kolhapur is ...

Maharashtra Maharashtra (; , abbr. MH or Maha) is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India and the second-most populous country subdi ...

, India.

History

Before the eighth century, Rankala was a stone quarry. In the 9th century, an earthquake caused immense structural damage to the quarry, causing water to accumulate from an underground source forming the Rankala Lake. This historic lake features a Hindu temple with a

Nandi Nandi may refer to: People * Nandy (surname), Indian surname * Nandi (mother of Shaka) (1760–1827), daughter of Bhebe of the Langeni tribe * Onandi Lowe (born 1974), Jamaican footballer nicknamed Nandi * Nandi Bushell (born 2010), South Afric ...

. According to local Hindu beliefs, Lord Shiva uses the Nandi, moves a single wheat grain towards the lake, and backs about a distance of single rice grain daily. Hindu beliefs state that if Lord Shiva reaches Rankala, the apocalypse will begin.

Tourism

This historical lake is a treasure trove for many Hinduists and scenery admirers. Rankala features the "Shalini Palace" to the north, the "Padmaraje Garden" to the northeast, and a recently developed park towards the southeast bank. Rankala's southeast park has a fresh food market. Activities like horseriding and boating can also be experienced. Shalini Palace, made up of intricately carved black stone and Italian marble, has now been converted into a hotel.

References

Gallery

Grey-headed Swamp Hen Rankala Kolhapur.jpg, Grey-headed Swamp Hen Eurasian Coot Swimming Rankala Kolhapur.jpg, Eurasian Coot Eurasian Coot Feeding Rankala Kolhapur.jpg, Eurasian Coot Rankala Boats.jpg, Tourist boats in a winter morning, Rankala lake Kolhapur district Lakes of Maharashtra Tourist attractions in Kolhapur district {{Kolhapur-geo-stub