Kolhapur is at its most pleasant from October through February. The monsoon (June to September) is heavy — the Western Ghats catch the full force of the southwest monsoon — but the landscape becomes green and lush and the fort at Panhala is moody and atmospheric in the mist. Summer (March to May) is hot and humid.
The most important festival is Navratri, celebrated with particular intensity at the Mahalakshmi Temple, usually in September or October. The nine nights of worship draw massive crowds but the atmosphere is extraordinary. The Dasara wrestling tournament at Khasbag Stadium is also worth timing a visit around.