About Konkon
Maharashtra has 720 km. long sea face extending from Dahanu and Bordi in the north up toGoaproceeding southwards. If you have liking for sand, sea and surf, this State has a great many interesting option in store. You could arrange trips or get away on a weekend. You could indulge in adventurous water sports or relax on golden sands. If you are interested in forts and their historyMaharashtrais the perfect place for your tour. It offers you a vast choice of majestic forts like Khanderi, Undheri, Sindhudurg and Suvarnadurg.
There’s so much you can do. Study temples and churches. Stroll through whispering coconut groves, hills and valleys. Look for tiny, picturesque villages. Acquaint yourself with different people and their lifestyle. Savor the flavor of Konkan cuisine Solkadhi, bangda, pomfret, curry, modak, rice, chapattis, dishes with jackfruit, kokam sherbet and the world famous Ratnagiri alphonso mangoes.
Ratnagiri :AThe city of virgin beaches General Information
Location : About 330 km from Mumbai along the western coast in the Konkan region is the sleepy town ofMaharashtra, Ratnagiri. Konkan is a narrow coastal belt covering about 720km from north to south and about 50km wide. The strip is sandwiched between the Arabian Sea in the west and the Sayhadri or theWestern Ghats range to the east. In the Konkan region ofMaharashtra, Ratnagiri district assumes great importance; it is famous for Alphanso mangoes, cashew nuts, fisheries, rice and mineral bauxite.
- State: Maharashtra
- District: Ratnagiri District Decleared by the Government for Horticultural Tourisum
- State: Maharashtra
- Area (Approx.): 8196 sq. km
- Language: Marathi
- Best Time to Visit: September to March till June in Mango season.
- Long Distance Code: +95-2352
About Ratnagiri :The Konkani people like to trace their history back to 4000 BC. The movement of these tribes to the region of present-dayGoa is sometimes traced back to the 11th century AD. It is also believed that the Pandavas having performed their pilgrimage on the 13th year had settled in the adjoining territory of the Ratnagiri district and the king of this region Veeravat Rai had accompanied them for the Kurukshetra war. More recently a Bhagawati Fort was built during the Bijapur dynasty and strengthened in 1670 by the Maratha king Shivaji Maharaj,which is located on a headland near the harbour. In 1731 it came under the control of Satara kings and now preserved as under the govt.ofIndia.
Konkan Division, rich in verdant natural beauty, is endowed with a beautiful coastline and exotic agricultural produce including mango, cashew and beetelnut. Konkan’s beautiful beaches, greenery, Warli art and sea forts attract a steady stream of visitors. Apart from mangoes the other major trade is fish. Fishing is prominent occupation along the Konkan coast.
The beaches in and around Ratnagiri are not only beautiful, but also unexploited. Especially the Ratnagiri beach, which is unique, as mountain penetrates the sea, and the colour of sand on two sides is totally different. One beach is made of White sand whereas the other beach has complete Black sand. All along the coastline of Konkan there are innumerous virgin beaches, of Chiplun, Dapoli and Guhagar
Ganpatipule :Ganapatipule has always been one of most famous tourist spots inMaharashtra , especially for those who crave for silversand, gentle breeze and murmuring sea. It’s also famous for the 400 – year old Swayambhu Ganapati. Set along the western coast of maharastra, is a small little village called Ganapatipule. It is known for it’s scerene beach. Unlike most beaches, the Ganapatiphule beach is as natural and pristine as ever.
Travelling to Ganapatipule by road is a sheer ride of joy. Here you can see the real beaty of ‘kokan’ region. Narrow roads, red soil, roofed houses, clean courtyards, innumerable fruit- bearing trees (including mango, banana, jackfruit, etc.) and casuarinas lining the cost greet you.
Besides the beach Ganapatipule is also an important pilgrimage spot. The temple of the ‘Swayambhu Ganapati’ is known for its unique idol of Lord Ganapati. Swayambhu’ or self originated, not manmade, ‘Ganapati’ or the lord of ‘ganas’ or army. ‘Pule’ or sand dune. That’s why the name Ganapatipule. The temple is 400 years old and is situated at the side of see and at the foot of a hill. Most piligrims believe in taking a ‘pradakshina’ around the hill instead of just the temple. Pradakshina is a form of showing obeisance wherein devotiees walk in a circle around the idol of the deity or around the temple.
Geographic location :Approximately 375 kms south of mumbai, along the ‘konkan’ coast.
Climate:The climate is hot and humid. In summer the temprature is around 38 C.May is the hottest month. Monsoon is between June and October. Rains are usually plentiful and regular. The winter season is perhaps the most pleasant with temperatures dropping at nights.
Languages spoken:Marathi is the most widely spoken language.
How to get there:
BY ROAD :Mumbai to Ganapatiphule ( via Mahad) is 375 kms. Pune to Ganapatiphule (via satara) is 331 kms.
Kohlapur to Ganapatiphule is 144 kms.
BY RAIL :The nearest railhead is ratnagiri 50 kms on the Konkan railway. OR NIVSAR 7Km.
Ganapatipule is an ancient pilgrim centre located in Ratnagiri district. About 25-km from Ratnagiri, it has a lot of history behind it. Ganapatipule is untouched by commercialism; the pastoral beauty of the village is enhanced manifold by six km of virgin beach on the breathtaking Konkan coastline. Ganapatipule is one of the Ashta Ganapatis (eight Ganapatis) ofIndiaand called the Paschim Dwar-Dewata which means the Western Sentinel God. The temple is nearly 400 years old and the idol is believed to be Swayambhu; a naturally or self formed idol.
Pawas : Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achieved prominence when Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrians) had made it his abode. The place where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. A visit there is still like a journey through time. Even if Marathi poets aren’t your thing, the village is pretty.
Jaigadh Fort :ABut perhaps the best excursion is a drive to the Jaigad Fort, about 18km from Ganapatipule. We headed to the fort at about 8am to beat the afternoon heat. As you drive up the road to the fort, the sea is always visible. At each and every curve, there’s a breathtaking view. And there are places along the way where you can park alongside the road and hit the beach. The vast stretches of water lure you to just camp on the beach, sipping coconut water. Thankfully there are no stalls on the beach hawking their fare. Make sure you hire a local boatman if you decide to have a swim.
This 17th century sea-fort perched on the cliff offers a panoramic view of the sea below with waves lashing against the rocky terrain. We climbed its crumbling walls to get a better view of the sea and also saw the place where the Sangameshwar river meets theArabian Sea. MARLESHWAR GANGAGIRI Ashram Rajapur