SIGHT SEEING TOURS
HALF-DAY SIGHT SEEING TOURS
JAIGAD SIGHT SEEING
GANPATIPULE TEMPLE
The temple of Swayambhu is frequented by thousands every year. The lord Ganesha at Ganpatipule is considered to be the Paschim Dwardevata (Western Sentinel God of India) and those visiting Ganpatipule make it a point to pay their respect to this deity. The 400 year old Ganpati idol at Ganpatipule is said to have sprung up from the earth. The temple is situated right on the beach at the base of a hill and devotes and pilgrims walk around the hill (1 km pradakshina) as a mark of respect.
GANPATIPULE BEACH
It is one of the most spectacular beaches along the Konkan Coast and is rated as the best beach in Maharashtra. It is a 3 km long stretch of Golden sands and clear waters. There are many activities on the beach making it one of the most happening beaches along the Western Maharashtra belt and a popular tourist attraction. The activities on the beach include Water Sports conducted by Ocean Adventures, Speed Boats, Camel Ride, Horse Ride, Instant Snaps, Coconut Bhel Puri & Lime Juice stalls.Ocean Adventures has also started surfing and snorkeling and also provide training for the same.
PRACHIN KONKAN
One of the other attractions in Ganpatipule is the Prachin Konkan Museum. Prachin Konkan is a life size museum set in a sprawling three acre campus in Ganpatipule depicting life in yester years in Konkan. A guided tour in the museum takes you through various aspects of life in Konkan in the past.
GAYWADI BEACH
The beautiful Gaywadi beach is considered one of the safest beaches in and around Ganpatipule and thus there are lots of Water Sports Activities conducted there. Another attraction at Gaywadi beach is the famous Malgund aquarium with a variety of coastal fauna.
KAVI KESHAV SUUT SMARAK (MALGUND)
Malgund is 3 kms north of Ganpatipule and is a similar village along the Konkan Coast. Malgund is also the birth place of ‘Kavi Keshav Suut’. Kavi Keshav Suut is a very renowned Marathi poet and thus they have built a Smarak in his memory. It is now a library and a famous tourist attraction.
JAIGAD FORT
Jaigad fort is a coastal fortification located at the tip of a peninsula in the Ratnagiri District at a distance of 14 kms from the temple town of Ganpatipule. Nestled on a cliff it overlooks a bay formed where the Shastri river enters the Arabian sea. It has a commanding view of the bay, the Arabian sea and the nearby power plant.
Jaigad Lighthouse
Jaigad Lighthouse is situated on the South-West point of Jaigad head land (flat cliff) and Southern side of Jaigad Creek. Shastri river flows into the Jaigad Creek forming a well sheltered Harbour. A light is exhibited from a bastion of Jaigad fort and another from near the custom house whenever vessels call on during the night. This was a regular port of call for the Bombay-Goa passenger ferry service in the past. Jaigad village is about 3 km East of the Lighthouse
Siddhivinayak Mandir
Shri Ganesh Mandir is a beautiful architecture Lord Ganesha Mandir constructed by Jindal Steel Works as a place of worship for their employees. The mandir is opposite the Jindal Housing Colony and has a beautifully landscaped garden and outdoor area. It also has a helipad for the VIPS arriving at Jaigad power plant.
Karhateshwar Temple
3-4 kms away from Jaigad Jetty, there is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva also known as the Karhateshwar temple. This temple is very close to the Jaigad Lighthouse and is at the Western most part of the landmass. Peace and Tranquility greet you at the entrance as one can only hear the sweet sound of the sea with some birds around. Visit the temple and proceed towards the ‘Goumukh’ (Mouth of the Cow) by climbing down a few stairs. The waves hitting the shore on a continuous basis and showering on the land is a treat to watch.
RATNAGIRI / PAWAS
Aare Ware Shooting Spot
The twin Beaches of Aare and Ware are on Ganpatipule-Ratnagiri route through Bhandarpule. Ware is the first beach that you would come across while travelling from Ganpatipule and Aare is at a distance of a kilometre from here. Both these beaches are very secluded with white sand and the views from certain points up the hill here, especially the sunset point near Aare with sea on three sides is simply breath taking.
Thiba Palace
The Thiba Palace was built in 1910-11 for the exile of the king and the queen of Burma. The place has tombs of the royal couple. This palace and Ratnagiri have been featured in Amitav Ghosh’s novel, ‘The Glass Palace.’
Thiba Garden
Thibaw point is near to Thibaw palace, highest point to have a view of River & Ratnagiri town. From the high point, u can see complete view of City which looks beautiful and picturesque. This place is recently renovated and has a beautiful garden and kids p[lay area.
Ratnadurga Fort
Ratnadurga Fort spread over 120 acres is surrounded by the Arebian Sea from three sides. The fort is located very close to the Ratnagiri town about 4kms from the Ratnagiri bus stand. One could start the Ratnadurga fort tour with a visit to the Bhagwati Mandir thronged by devotees all around the year. A fascinating tunnel connects the north and south divisions of the fort. There is a Lighthouse which was built in 1867 on ‘Siddha Buruj’, one of the bastions.
Swami Swaroopananda Ashram (Pawas)
Pawas is a very beautiful and serene place. Apart from its beauty, the place came into light when Swami Swaroopanand, a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrian population came to stay here. The place where he used to stay has now been converted into an ashram. He brought all the people of Maharashtra together by chanting the Mantra `Om Ram Krishna Hari`. He stayed here for a period of about 40 years. Pawas is now considered as one of the most important holy places in Konkan Region. A temple has been constructed at Pawas near his Samadhi by his devotees.
Patit Pawan Mandir
This temple was built in the year 1931 by Shriman Bhagojisheth Keer, a kind hearted businessman from Ratnagiri, belonging to Bhandari Community at the instance of Swatantrya Veer Vinayak Damodar alias Tatyarao Sawarkar. This temple is the first temple in India, that offered an unrestricted right to any member of Hindu Community to enter in the very adytum of the temple and to worship the idols of Lord Laxmi Narayana
Ratnagiri Aquarium
The Ratnagiri aquarium has some rare and beautiful specimens like Sea horse fish, Lion fish, Trigger fish, Sea-turtles, Eels, Sea – cucumbers, Star fish, Lobsters, sea snakes and many more which is well supported by sea – water filtration and re-circulation system.
Taking into consideration the growing demand of general public about aquarium, a beautifully arranged and well decorated separate freshwater aquarium section has been recently developed.
Lokmanya Tilak’s House
Sri Lokmanya Tilak’s Janmasthan has been converted into a museum in his honor. It is the house where Lokmanya Tilak spent his first 10 years of his life. The house has been preserved as it is. It is a pleasure to walk barefoot on the cow dung smeared natural flooring. His topi & a few clothes are also on display within the museum.
FULL-DAY SIGHT SEEING TOURS
Jaigad
Jaigad is perhaps best known for the immensely popular Jaigad Fort. It overlooks the bay formed at the place where the Shastri River meets the Arabian Sea. This fort is about 35 km from the region of Ganapatipule and has a lighthouse nearby which is known as the Jaigad Lighthouse. Though the fort is in ruins, the exterior walls are an attraction because of the bulwarks.
Hedvi
Hedvi Village, one of the compact villages, is situated close to Guhagar town in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Located in the Konkan region of the state, the village is renowned for housing temples, beaches and other religious sites. Lord Ganesha Temple and Sri Dasabhuj Lakshmi Ganesh Devasthan are among the main attractions of the village that attracts many tourists and pilgrims throughout the year.
Velneshwar
Velneshwar is situated at a distance of approximately 136 km from the main town of Ratnagiri. One of the most prominent attractions of this town is the Shiva Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is flocked by a large number of devotees during the festival of Mahashivratri. It is held in the month of March and celebrated in honour of the deity Lord Shiva.
Another prime attraction of the destination is the Velneshwar Beach which is lined with coconut trees. In addition, tourists visiting the beach can also indulge in swimming. Apart from this travellers can also make a visit to the Anjanwale Fort, which is another popular attraction
Guhagar
Guhagar means cave house in regional dialect, which is located along the hilly terrain. The destination is also referred to as a temple town as it features several Hindu shrines. Chandika Mandir is a well known Hindu shrine located in proximity. Guhagar is famous for the virgin beach along with coir items, coconuts, betel nuts and Haapus Alphonso mangoes. The virgin beach of Guhagar, stretching up to 6 km, is a major highlight of the destination. A sandy beach along with the coastal villages provides a glimpse of Konkan culture.
Marleshwar
Marleshwar falls in the Sangameshwar subdivision of Ratnagiri district. It is known for the Cave Shiva Temple, where devotees handle venomous snakes. This temple perched atop a hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva and one has to climb some 400 steps to reach the summit. Dhareshwar is a waterfall on the Bav river which is another tourist attraction of Marleshwar.
Dervan
Dervan is a small village about 19 kms from the town of Chiplun. It is popular for its Ram Mandir and the Hanuman Mandir. The village is a very popular place of pilgrimage.
Karneshwar
This place is popular for the Karneshwar temple, which was built 1600 years ago by Karna of Kolhapur. This place is 41 km away from Ratnagiri City and 4 km away from Sangameshwar . It is considered one of the important places in Sangameshwar taluka. The statues and carvings of many Hindu Gods can be seen on the walls of Karneshwar temple.