A small little beach town in southern Maharashtra, Ganapatipule welcomes its visitors with the promise of calm, tranquility, spiritual intervention, great cuisine and a beautiful vacation! Ideal for couples to get-away, families to have a reunion, friends to rejoice! Ganapatipule attracts history enthusiasts, adventure lovers and pilgrims alike.
This small town with just 100 houses is in the Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast belt in Maharashtra. With lush green locales, coconut trees and a heritage of mangroves along with the deep blue sea as the backdrop, Ganapatipule gives you a picturesque setting, perfect for rejuvenation. Situated on the Konkan Coastline, this heavenly escapade gives a breathtaking view of the beach with an alluring weather, the smell of the sea and the gorgeous Ganapatipule temple. This otherwise less explored region has been attracting a lot of tourists from all over the world. Ganapatipule offers to the traveler, a pious experience of lord Ganesha along with a rejuvenating beachside experience.
Ganapatipule attracts pilgrims in big numbers who come to visit the celebrated Ganapati temple. Folklore says that this 400-year old Ganapati idol has sprung up from the soil, deriving itself the name – 'Swayambhu' temple. Unlike deities in other Indian temples who face the east, this deity faces the west, to guard the western gates. This place is crowded with devotees significantly during the Gauri-Ganapati festivals.
Around this beach town, tourists can also explore the little village of Velneshwar which has a tranquil coconut fringe where one can relax and rejuvenate. The Shiva temple in Velneshwar is the most visited by locals as well as tourists. The city if Ratnagiri is located about 26 kms from Ganapatipule. A commercial hub of the Konkan region, this city is popular for glorious history, forts and museums and seafood. The Prachin Konkan museum must also be on the itinerary to experience the best this region offers. One can also visit the Sangameshwar river, Jaigad fort and the serene town of Pawas. The beach at Pawas houses a panoramic view of the lighthouse and the Jaigad fort.
The Konkan belt of Maharashtra called for great cuisine inclusive of seafood and coconut delicacies. 'Modaks' – Ganapati bappa's favourite snack is a coconut filled sweet dumpling which one must savour in Ganapatipule. The much-hyped Alphonso mangoes from this region are loved too. One can gorge over luscious Fish curries with flavours of Kokam and and array of crustaceans. 'Ambapoli' and 'Phanaspoli' made from dried and crushed mangoes and jackfruit respectively are carried home by tourists to be eaten all year long.
Tourists can drive down about 350 kms from Mumbai or reach by train exploring the breathtaking Konkan views. One can also fly to Ratnagiri airport and drive down to this tiny village.
HOW TO GET THERE
By Road
The scenic roads and highways connect Ganpatipule with the major cities of India. Ganpatipule is 343 kms away from Mumbai.
Duration from Mumbai: 7 hrs
Duration from Goa: 6 hrs
By Rail
The nearest railway station is at Ratnagiri which is located about 30 kms from Ganpatipule. Trains regularly ply from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Bengaluru, etc. to Ratnagiri.
Duration from Mumbai: 5 hrs
Duration from Goa: 2 hrs
By Air
The nearest airport is Ratnagiri Airport which is 28 kms away. Takes about 50 minutes to reach Ganpatipule.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Best season to visit Ganpatipule :Winter
PLACES TO VISIT
- Ganpatipule Temple
Popular among tourists for the unique architecture, the shrine of Lord Ganesha, faces the west instead of east. Thousands of devotees worship the deity on occasions & festivals.The 400 year old temple is a unique because of the dual idols of lord Ganesha.
- Ganpatipule Beach
Pristine, beautiful white sand beach is one of the popular Konkan beaches. Lined with food stalls, horse riding & camel rides it's fun unlimited.
- Prachin Konkan
A life size museum depicts the life in yesteryears in Konkan. The museum is a peek into the social, economic, cultural and religious background of Konkan.
- Magic Garden
It is the latest attraction among the tourists. It offers five forms of magical bliss. It is situated opposite the Prachin Konkan Museum.
SHOPPING
You can try the local markets that offers you a lot of household & decorative items made of sea shells. Take home cashew nuts and Kokam sherbet, canned mango chutneys and pickles which are locally made.
EATING OUT
You can try out the traditional Maharashtrian food at the restaurants in Ganpatipule. Some of the good places to eat in Ganpatipule are the MTDC Restaurant and Tarang. There are also a few places around the MTDC resort such as the local Khanaval run by Kelkars.
So pack your bags and be ready to explore the Caribbean of India and spend an idyllic weekend at this beach town to reinvent the calm and tranquil within.
Martin Wynn
Priya
