About Ganpatipule

Country: India | State: Maharashtra

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Ganpatipule: Mumbai (345 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Ganpatipule: October to March

Peak Season: December to January

At a distance of 24 km from Ratnagiri, 152 km from Kolhapur, 193 km from Mahabaleshwar, 207 km from Satara, 291 km from Lonavala, 307 km from Pune, and 345 km from Mumbai, Ganpatipule is a small pilgrimage & beach town located in the Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra in India. This is one of the top places to visit in Maharashtra and also one of the best places to visit near Pune.

The town is mainly known for its 400 years old temple of Lord Ganapati which is the prime attraction in Ganpatipule tour packages. The idol of Ganesha is believed to be a monolith that was self-incarnated and discovered over 1600 years ago. The Ganesha Temple in Ganpatipule is unique because it is one of the few temples in the country in which the presiding deity faces west. Known as 'Paschim Dwar Devata', it is one of the Ashta Ganapati Temples of India and among the prominent places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra. The temple is at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around (pradakshina) the hill as a mark of respect.

There are two legends associated with the name of Ganpatipule town. According to one legend, after being insulted by a local lady, Lord Ganapati moved to Pule from his original abode of Gule. Thus the region was named Ganpati-Pule. According to another belief, the town got its name from the white sand (or Pule in Marathi) from which the idol of Ganesha was formed. Ganpatipule can be visited along with Mahabaleshwar as part of Mahabaleshwar packages.

Ganpatipule is home to some of the most spectacular beaches that can be visited as part of Konkan tour packages. It is an ideal getaway that attracts peace-seekers, beach lovers, and pilgrims alike. Ganpatipule is one of the only two white sand beaches in Maharashtra, the other being Kashid Beach. The Ganpatipule Beach is clean and the sea is also clear though swimming is not advisable because of the rocky stretches. However, it is an ideal spot for sunbathing and mesmerizing sunsets. Ganpatipule also offers water sports between the months of November and May.

There are many other tourist places in Ganpatipule apart from the beaches and the Ganapati Temple. Malgund about 2 km from Ganapatipule is the birthplace of the famous Maratha poet Keshavsut and houses a memorial of the great poet. Gaywadi beach near Malgund village is the hub of water sports activities in Ganpatipule. Jaigad Fort, Prachin Konkan Museum, Arey Ware Beach, Guhagar Beach, and Velneshwar are other prominent places in Ganpatipule.

Ganpatipule has several resorts and hotels but the facilities offered by most hotels are ordinary. State-owned MTDC also runs a holiday resort near the beach.

Mumbai Airport is the nearest airport, which is about 343 km from Ganpatipule. Ratnagiri Railway Station is the nearest railhead about 30 km from Ganpatipule. Ratnagiri has train connectivity with Mumbai, Goa, Patna, Pune, Kochi, Trivandrum, Delhi, Mangalore, Tirunelveli, Bikaner, Amritsar, Dehradun, Chandigarh, Kochuveli, Porbandar, Ajmer, Coimbatore, and Madgaon. Ganpatipule is well connected by bus with Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolhapur.

The best time to visit Ganpatipule is from September to February while the peak season is from November to January.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Poor
STD Code: 02357
Languages Spoken: Marathi, Hindi, Konkani and English
Major Festivals: Ganesh Chaturthi
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Ganpatipule

By Air

Nearest Airport: Mumbai - Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (343 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Ratnagiri (30 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Ganpatipule Bus Stand (0 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

Beach

#1 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 1 km from Ganpati Pule Bus Stand, Ganpatipule Beach is a spectacular paradise along the Konkan coast in Maharashtra. It is one of the top places to visit in Ganpatipule and also one of the popular beaches in Maharashtra.

Ganpatipule is one of the only two white sand beaches in Maharashtra, the other being Kashid Beach. It is a perfect gateway that captivates beach lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and pilgrims as part of Ganpatipule tour packages. The 6 km long beach simply looks stunning with the Ganapati Temple on the shores that offer a soothing atmosphere. With several shacks, horse riding, and camel rides, the beach has become a perfect holiday destination for visitors.

The pristine Ganpatipule Beach is the main attraction among tourists and mainly adventure enthusiasts. .....

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Pilgrimage

#2 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 1 km from Ganpatipule Bus Stand, Swayambhu Ganapati Temple is an ancient temple situated on Ganpatipule Beach in Maharashtra. It is one of the top places to visit in Ganpatipule and also one of the popular Ganesh temples in Maharashtra.

The Ganpati Temple is about 400 years old and is the prime attraction in Ganpatipule packages that draws thousands of pilgrims every year to seek blessings of the Lord. According to one legend, after being insulted by a local lady, Lord Ganapati moved to Pule from his original abode of Gule. Thus the place was named as Ganpati-Pule.

The idol of Ganesha is believed to be a monolith which is self-created and discovered over 1600 years ago. The other idol of Lord Ganapati is made of copper and placed in the sanctum sanctorum. This copper .....

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Museum

#3 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 600 m from Ganpatipule Bus Stand and 1 km from Ganpatipule Beach, Prachin Kokan is an open air museum situated in Ganpatipule. It is one of the top places to visit in Ganpatipule.

Spread over an area of 3 acres, the museum has several exhibits depicting the traditional Konkan way of life. The museum was constructed in 2004 by Vaibhav Sardesai who succeeded in not only providing interesting information about Konkan to the tourists but also employment opportunities for the locals. One can get the glimpses of local rural life including the local deities, the lifestyle, barter trade of the olden days, various professions of the people, etc. inside the museum.

The museum showcases the ingenuity of the Kokan with sculptures of the Maratha hero Shivaji maharaj depicting historical moments, and models of the amazing sea forts in the Kokan region. Prachin Konkan has a counter for exhibiting .....

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Beach

#4 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 9 km from Ganpatipule Bus Stand and 14 km from Ratnagiri, Aare Ware Beach is a beautiful secluded beach situated near Nevare village in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. This is one of the best beaches on the Konkan coast and also one of the famous places to visit in Ganpatipule.

Actually, Aare and Ware are two beaches with clean blue water and are a delight to watch. Aare Beach is one of the lesser-known beaches of the Ratnagiri district. This is a very long beach having a length of approximately 3 km and is mostly an untouched beach. A beautiful and dense plantation of Suru dotted the seashore. This quite long beach is an isolated one covered with smooth sand and offers a breathtaking view of the sunset. The beach is still unspoiled and virgin, making it one of the best place for travelers seeking sheer solitude and tranquility as part of Ganpatipule tour packages.

Aare .....

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Beach

#5 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 3.5 km from Ganpatipule Bus Stand, Bhandarpule is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Konkan coast in Maharashtra.

Bhandarpule Beach is nestled amidst two hillocks is the tranquil shore of Bhandarpule. The beach is stretches for 2 km and the seaside at Bhandarpule is lined with suru trees. The brilliant bluish green hue of the sea is marvelous.

The beach at Bhandarpule is secluded and less crowded than Ganpatipule. However the sea here is rough and not advisable for swimming. One can get a beautiful view of Ganpatipule Beach and Bhandarpule Beach from the top of the hill before descending to Bhandarpule. There are no activities at the beach and is an ideal place for people seeking solitude.

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Beach

#6 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 4 km from Ganpatipule Bus Stand, Malgund Beach is a scenic beach along the Arabian Sea coast in Maharastra. Situated at Malgund village, it is one of the pristine beaches in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit in Ganpatipule.

Malgund Beach is a quaint and secluded beach that stretches over five to six km. The beach is clean, and the waters are crystal clear. It is also a flat beach and safe to take your cars to drive on the beach. With its pristine, soft, white sands and clear, unpolluted waters, this beach offers a picturesque setting. The view of the setting sun on the beach is mesmerizing.

Apart from heaps of swimming in the sea, visitors to Malgund Beach can also indulge in a range of recreational and adventurous activities, making it an ideal choice for a romantic weekend escape. One can indulge in a few water sports right from Banana Boat Rides to Paramotoring, .....

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Beach

#7 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 6 km from Ganpatipule Bus Stand, and 25 km from Ratnagiri, Kajirbhati Beach is a scenic beach situated at Nevare village. Situated between Ganpatipule & Ratnagiri, it is one of the pristine beaches on the Konkan Coast, and among the top places to visit as part of the Ganpatipule tour packages.

Also known as Nevare Beach, Kajirbhati Beach is a beautiful, serene beach located on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra, India. The beach is lined with casuarina trees and the views are breathtaking. This secluded beach is less crowded and is an ideal spot for those who are seeking a peaceful and tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The beach is clean and well-maintained, and the water is crystal clear. The small rocky area on the side adds to the beauty. One will also be able to see small crabs on the beach.

The white sandy shoreline is a great place to relax and soak up the sun while enjoying .....

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Heritage

#8 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 19 km from Ganpatipule and 42 km from Ratnagiri, Jaigad Fort is coastal fortification that is located near Jaigad village in Maharashtra. It is one of the popular forts in Konkan region and also one of the top tourist places near Pune for history lovers. It is a protected monument under Archeological Survey of India.

Jaigad Fort is one of the prime places to include in Ganpatipule tour The meeting point of the river Shashtri and Arabian Sea is called as the creek of Jaigad. For the protection of this creek two forts were constructed, one is Vijaygad at the north direction and the other is Jaigad at south. Situated on a cliff, Jaigad has a commanding view of the bay and the open sea. A jetty port and a lighthouse are located nearby.

It is believed that the construction of Jaigad was initiated in 14th century and completed by Sultan of Bijapur .....

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Nature

#9 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 84 km from Ganpatipule, 90 km from Ratnagiri, 107 km from Mahabaleshwar, 125 km from Satara, 163 km from Kolhapur, 238 km from Pune, 259 km from Mumbai, and 303 km from Panjim, Chiplun is a town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Bang on the Mumbai-Goa highway, it is one of the popular Maharashtra tourist places, and among the prominent places to visit near Kolhapur.

Situated between the Western Ghats, and the Arabian Sea, Chiplun has stunning natural beauty, which includes lush greenery and stunning waterfalls. Chiplun means 'The abode of Lord Parashurama', got its name because of the famous temple it houses. Lies near the source of the Vashishti river, Chiplun is also an industrial town and happens to be one of the must include places in Konkan Tour.

Chiplun was believed to be the first home of the Konkanasth or Chitpavan Brahmans. .....

Distance (From Ganpatipule): 84 Kms
Trip Duration (From Ganpatipule - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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Pilgrimage | City

#10 of 16 Places to Visit in Ganpatipule

At a distance of 48 km from Sangli, 113 km from Belgaum, 125 km from Satara, 188 km from Mahabaleshwar, 209 km from Panjim, 210 km from Hubli, 237 km from Pune, 250 km from Solapur, 388 km from Mumbai, 452 km from Nashik, 584 km from Hyderabad, and 609 km from Bangalore, Kolhapur is a city and the district headquarters of Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of temple towns in India , and among the most famous places to visit in Maharashtra.

Situated on the banks of the Panchganga River, Kolhapur is a beautiful city famed for its religious and historical sites. The ancient city finds its mention in the holy Devi Bhagavata Purana as a place of Kollamma worship. The town derives its name from a mythological story of Kolhasur - a demon who was slain by Goddess Mahalakshmi. The famous Mahalakshmi Temple is situated here in honor of Goddess Mahalakshmi, .....

Distance (From Ganpatipule): 154 Kms
Trip Duration (From Ganpatipule - Including Travel): Full Day
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