The Prayag Sangam confluence marks the beginning of the Panchganga River proper
which after receiving the waters of the four tributaries continues in a larger pattern
with the flow of waters received from the rivers. From North of Kolhapur it has
a wide alluvial plain. After developing this plain the river resumes its course
eastwards
From Kolhapur, the Panchganga River, as the river is now called, winds east about
thirty miles till it falls into the Krishna at Kurundvad. In the thirty miles of
its course, to the east of Kolhapur the Panchganga River receives only one considerable
stream the Hatkalangale or Kabnur which, rising from the Alate hills and passing
Hatkalangale and Korochi joins the Panchganga near Kabnur about fifteen miles below
Kolhapur. From Shiroli to its junction with the Krishna near Shree Kshetra Nrusinhawadi
(Narsobawadi), it has an extensive alluvia floor bordered by the large worn out
stumps of the Alate portion of the Panhala in the north and the Hupari part of the
Kasaba Sangaon range in the south. A characteristic feature of this basin is the
contrast between the rounded worn out features locally known as Mals and the general
entrenched nature of all the streams.
A further noteworthy aspect is the deeply incised course of the Panchganga itself.
From Mangaon, the river flows in a deep bed that is well below 40 feet from the
surrounding plain. Further downstream it develops an incised meander-core which
includes the Narsobawadi area.
The valley of the Panchganga is reckoned the most fertile in Kolhapur and is famous
for its hay. The bed of the river is shallow and its sloping banks yield rich crops
during the cold weather. At Kolhapur, the Panchganga is crossed by two beautiful
bridges one near the Brahmapuri hill on the north side of Kolhapur town on the road
leading to the Amba pass, and the other a few miles to the east on the Poona road.
The Panchgnaga and its feeders are fordable in the hot season. In the rainy season
large and small boats ply at twenty-three fords.
The waters of all the streams which join to form the Panchganga are much used for
growing sugarcane. In October, towards the close of the south-west rains, a series
of fair-weather earthen dams are built across the river beds and the water is raised
by lifts worked by bullocks.
Panchaganga Ghat:
To the north-west of the city, there is an extensive ghat on the Panchaganga River.
There are numerous temples here including some in the river itself. The ghat consists
of long stone flights of steps reaching down to the river and is used for bathing
and washing. One gets a very picturesque view from the ghat. To the north overlook
this bridge, the ghat and the river is in Brahampuri Hill, the site of the ancient
city.