Visit the 400-year-old Ganapati Swayambhu Temple, located on the foothill, and an important place of homage. There is an interesting Ganapati-shaped walk of 1km around the hill, which is called Pradakshina, a way of respect shown by the pilgrims to the deity. It is said that Ganapatipule is one of the eight significant Ganapatis (Ashta Ganapatis) of India.

A kilometer away from Ganapatipule, is a small village called Malgund, home to the famous Marathi poet Keshavsoot who pioneered modern Marathi poetry. Visit his beautiful monument and the museum there, which is a houseful of information on modern day Marathi poets.

Ratnagiri, the district town of Ganapatipule is an interesting halt for sightseeing. It houses the home of Lokmanya Tilak, now Tilak Smarak. The first ever temple built for non-brahmins called Patit Pawan Mandir, the Ratnadurga Fort, Bhagivati Bunder, a sea port and the Coconut Research Centre are some of the other places you could visit in and around Ratnagiri. Also, stop at Velneshwar, to visit the old Shiva Temple and the beach.

If you want to continue with the temple excursion, there is Marleshwar, 60 km from Ganapatipule, home to the famous cave temple of Shiva and waterfalls and the Parshuram Temple, located 112 km from Ganapatipule.

You could relive moments from history, at Thebaw Palace, built in 1910-11, for the King and Queen of Burma, who were exiled and see their tombs. Or stop at the 17^th century Jaigad Fort, 35 km away, located at the entrance of the river Sangameshwar, and allow yourself a magnificent view of the sea.

Other Activities:

Sample the most famous mango of the world – the Devgad Hapus in summer. The local cuisine comprises fish curry, rice and kokam kadi (a digestive drink, very much like the rasam of South India). The beaches are a great place to relax all day.

Tourism Info:

Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation

Collector’s Office Compound

Jaystambh

Ratnagiri –415612

Tel –(91)-02352-223847

A quaint little town along the Konkan Coast of Maharashtra, Ganapatipule is a popular beach haven. Legend has it, that Lord Ganapati (a Hindu God), on being offended by a native lady, changed his dwelling from Gule to Pule, and thus the town was named Ganapatipule. It houses the famous Swayambhu Ganapati temple.