Ganpatiphule

Ganpatiphule

Ganapatipule is situated along the western coast of Maharashtra 331 km south of Pune, along the Konkan coast. Ganapatipule is one of the `Ashta Ganapatis' (eight Ganpatis) of India and called the `Paschim Dwar-Dewata' (Western Sentinel God). Climate is moist and humid but healthy. Best time to visit is in the winter season , most pleasant with temperatures dropping at nights. However, summers are bad from March to May.

Some Tips:

Preferred clothing include loose cottons, although warm clothing during winter nights is recommended. Swimming suits is recommended for those in search of something different are MTDC's Beach Tents, just next to clear blue waters of the Arabian sea. MTDC also has a resort on the slope of a green hillock, facing the sea, which offers low cost, high comfort accommodation. Besides MTDC accommodation, private hotels/resorts are also available. Travelling to Ganapatipule by road is a vacation in itself. The entire `Konkan' region is paradise - for miles.

How to Reach

Air: The nearest airport is at Ratnagiri, 50 km away.

Rail: The nearest rail head is Ratnagiri 50 km on the Konkan railway.

Road: Pune to Ganapatipule (via Satara) is 331 km.

Places of Interest

Swayambhu Ganpati Temple

Ganapatipule is an important pilgrimage centre. The temple is known for it's unique idol of Lord Ganpati and it's magnificent temple (`Swayambhu' or self-originated, not man-made, `Ganpati' or the lord of the `ganas' or army). Most pilgrims take a `pradakshina' around the hill instead of just the temple.

Shopping: The Konkan region blessed with some of the finest horticultural fruits, offers a variety of local preparations- like `ambapoli' (thin pancakes of dried and crushed mangoes), `phanaspoli' (thin pancakes of dried and crushed jackfruit), cashewnuts, coconuts etc. Summertime is best known for most famous variety of mangoes in the world - the Devgad `hapus' mango.

Tourist Information

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, C/o Zila Parishad Office, Ratnagiri (near Ganapatipule). Tele : 02357 235248/235061/235062.

Close on Heels

Velneshwar: 170 km from Ratnagiri is the village of Velneshwar. It's adjoining beach is clean and natural fringed with an array of coconut palms. Swimming and other water sports are possible there as the beach is free from rocks. There is an old Shiva temple near Velneshwar which is frequently visited by pilgrims.

Ratnagiri: Very popular for Alfanso mangoes, this also happens to be the birth place of Lokmanya Tilak, one of the well known freedom fighter of India. Visit Lokmanya's house -`Tilak Smarak' (Tilak Monument) or the Pati Pawan mandir - the first temple to be built for non-brahmins, by S. Savarkar. On the outskirts of the city, one can trace the famous Bhatye beach. Other places of interest include the Coconut Research Centre, Ratnadurga Fort, Bhagwati Bunder (sea port) and the Sea food processing centre at Mirya. Ratnagiri is 50 km from Ganapatipule.

Thebaw Palace: Constructed in 1910-11, the Thebaw Palace was built for the exiled king and queen of Burma (now Myanmar). They lived in this palace from 1911 till their death in 1916.

Malgund: Birth place of the famous Marathi poet, Keshavsoot. It is a small peaceful village about 1 km away from Ganapatipule. The Marathi Sahitya Parishad (marathi Literature Society) has constructed a beautiful monument called Keshavsoot Smarak in the memory of this poet.

Raigad Fort: At the entrance of the Sangameshwar river and 35 km from Ganapatipule is the Raigad Fort standing on a cliff. It belongs to the 17th century and offers a commanding view of the sea. Raigad's sea fort is situated at a sheltered bay. It's beach is small and safe.

Pawas: Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achieved prominence when Swami Swaroopanand had made it his abode. The place where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. A visit there takes one back in time.

Marleshwar: 60 km from Ganapatipule, it is famous for it's Shiva temple and waterfall. Derwan: 85 km from Ganapatipule, it is well known for it's Shiv Shristi (an exhibition on Chhatrapati Shivaji).

Parshuram: 112 km from Ganapatipule is known for Parshuram temple.

Here are some of the pictures taken:

Front view of the temple.

The temple faces the beach, Arabian Sea, stands majestically to the strong breeze

The mouse is the carrier of Lord Ganpati, as accompanies him.

The walls of the temple are beautifully sculpted and present mesmerizing beauty to the exterior of the temple. Each part of the temple is intricately crafted to perfection , and deserves admiration.

This location is in the 'pradakshina marg' of the temple, and is known as the "Shundh Sthan"- symbolizing - Elephants Trunk as is self orignated.

The evenings are very pleasent and a sight to behold. The sunset is a pleasure to watch. Sit back relax and relish natures beauty and see the Sun going to sleep, change it colour Golden Yellow to dark Orange, impressing its face on the sea bed and transforming the blue green bed to pink, purple and orange strings and laying a golden sheet over it.



This is the effigy of Lord Parshuram creator of Konkan. He won the konkan region after war with the Sea God.


Pictures below, try to depict the life in Konkan region in yesteryears. The profession passed through generations and each family in the village has specific tasks to performs.
Here is the shoemaker.









Some more picutres of day time on the beach, the sky is bright and beautiful along with a less crowded beach.






The place to stay, recomending the Konkani house at MTDC Resort. The prices are fairly even and the management is good. Konkani House is a beach facing hut where you can enjoy the cool breeze from the sea.
For more picture mail at: umagupta1949@gmail.com