Ganpatipule
The Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, known for its unique Ganapati idol, is
built on the Ganpatipule Beach and opens up to the beautiful beach. The
idol of Ganapati here is believed to be 'swayambhu'. The idol of
'mooshak' made out of copper is placed outside the temple. Celebrated as
the Paschim Dwar devta the diety is placed in the sanctum sanctorum and
at sunrise and sunset a shaft of golden light falls on and illuminates
the idol.
Ganpatipule is one of the "Ashta Dwar Devatas". During the reign of Mughals there was a kevada jungle at the place where temple of 'Swayambhu' Ganapati is presently situated. Balbhatji Bhide, a brahmin lived here for penance to be relieved of a distress he was in and worshipped his tutelary deity Magalmurti lord Ganesha. Bhide had vision of Ganesha in his 'nirakar' form where he promised to visit Ganeshgule to fulfill the wishes of his devotees. During the same period, one of the cows of Bhide was not giving milk, the cowherd kept a watch on her. They were astonished to see that milk was flowing from cow's udder on the place where the idol of the God is currently placed. Bhide found the idol of Ganesh which he had seen in his vision at that place on cleaning up! He built a shrine there and started performing rituals.
Jaigad fort 15 kms north of Ganapatipule and Ratnadurga fort 25 kms south are the main sea facing forts near Ganapatipule. While Jaigad can be visited even during a short one day weekend break to Ganapatipule Ratnadurga fort is the main attraction of a Ratnagiri trip from Ganapatipule if you are on a longer trip to Ganapatipule. Rappeling and spelunking is also possible at the Ratnadurga fort.
Aare and Ware are twin beaches very close to Ganpatipule ahead of Bhandarpule. Aare and Ware are two very pretty beaches however the reason why it is famous is the sun set points the road to the beaches offer. The beaches have approach roads that almost go over a cliff and at the sunset point it offers almost 270 degree view of the sea. The vantage points are arguably the best places in Ganpatipule to watch the setting sun.
Prachin Konkan is a life size museum in Ganapatipule depicting life in yester years in Konkan. Prachin Konkan, is the brain child of Mr. Sardesai who succeeded in not only providing interesting information about Konkan to tourist but also employment opportunities for the localites. A guided tour takes you through various aspects of life in Konkan in the past. There also is an interesting 'nakshathra ban' in the premises where trees are worshipped.
