Set along the western coast of
Maharashtra, Ganpatipule is a small village situated 30 km off the
Mumbai-
Goa Highway, in
Ratnagiri District. It is an important pilgrim center and one of the Astha
Ganapatis (eight Ganapatis), in India, known as the `Paschim Dwar-Dewata' (Western Sentinel God). Ganpatipule is about 375 km south of Mumbai and 144 km from
Kolhapur.
Ganpatipule is one of the important beaches in Maharashtra. With its sparkling blue waters, endless stretches of golden or silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swaying palms, waves playing with the sand dunes – Ganpatipule present a charming picture of nature’s splendor at work.
Ganpatipule is the birthplace of the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak.
Ganpatipule derived it name after the 400 year old Swayambhu Ganapati Temple. The name is a combination of two words – Ganapati, the lord of ‘ganas’ (army), and ‘pule’ means sand dunes.
Malgund (1 km), Pawas, Jaigad Fort and Thibaw Palace are other places worth visiting.
MTDC Holiday Resort located here offers good accommodation facilities.
By road, Ganpatipule is well-connected with Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri.
Bhoke Railway Station is the nearest railhead, while Ratnagiri Railway Station, on the Konkan Railways, is the convenient access point. Belgaum Airport is the nearest airport.
