Ganapatipule is situated along the western coast of Maharashtra 375 km south of Mumbai, 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
The winter season is 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. Rates vary from Rs 125 to Rs 250 per day.
• 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 railhead is Ratnagiri 50 km on the Konkan railway.

Road

• Mumbai to Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 km,
• Pune to Ganapatipule (via Satara) is 331 km.
• Kolhapur to Ganapatipule is 144 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). The temple is 40 years old and is at the foot of a hillock. Most pilgrims take a `pradakshina' around the hill instead ofjust 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 Fax : - (02352)-23847.

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.