Friday, 2 May 2014

Ganapatipule Tour : Surprise Beaches & Awesome Nature



Ganapatipule : A beautiful, pleasant and Pollution free Crystal ! 

Maharashtra's Real Heaven !!! 


Blog for Ganapati Baktas : While planning for my tour itinerary, I found that information shared on various Blogs are much useful, realistic & reliable. Reviews written by travelers are greatly useful to me. Snapshots makes the unknown places very clear & self explanatory. Mainly, this inspired me to createa blog on Ganapatipule where I have collected all the possible information required for a new traveler for his ease. 
I Hope this blog may help the reader for pleasant journey of Ganapatipule.
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Really tired of daily cyclic life style and if at all you are free your kids are committed for school and if your family is at touring mood, I have committed to office on the same day !!!! 

But this time was silver line on the black clouds , our both timelines are matching. 

We started exploring options , first preference is given to Tirupati then costal locations with heritage devotee place . Initially, I struggled almost a week to get Tirupati reservations and accommodations but no availability. We were very upset to leave opportunity to to go to Tirumala-Tirupati !

Then we started exploring new options , First option was Sorti Somnath , second option was Ganapatipule and another was Alibag . First option got dropped due to travelling distance again dependency of railway reservations & travel time. Alibag is evergreen option for Punekar, we reserved it .


Finally Ganapatibappa Morya !!!


We started with MSRTC bus which is available daily from Swargate , we can book tickets from https://public.msrtcors.com/ticket_booking/ . Alternatively one Ajinya Travels has direct AC sleeper bus starting from Nigadi .


Journey in MSRTC bus was very much cumbersome and seat designs are horrible, seats are designed so that you should not sleep by resting your neck. I really learnt a lesson. Bus route was literally Lonely Jungles and ghats. A ray of light excep moon light was rare to us. But the best part of bus was it was direct to Ganapatipule alighting in-front of Lord's Temple which is really time saving. In fact , option of alighting at Ratnagiri by AC bus and go to Ganapatipule was available but you may spend time to link a bus & morning fresh-up .

Basic Itinerary was for 3 days and 2 nights.

Day 1 Itinerary : Ganapatipule & Only Ganapatipule !!! Sunset was main Attraction of the day.

Day 2 Itinerary : Marleshwar, Pawas, Ratnagiri Local like Patit Pawan Mandir,Tibua Palace,Ratnagiri Fort,Lokmanya Tilak Birth Place & Are-Ware Beach Sunset.
Day 3 Itinerary : Jaigad Ferry & Surprise Temple ( Jindal Temple )

Day 1 itinerary : Ganapatipule & Only Ganapatipule !!!!


Photo of " Shree's " temple along with Ganapati hill from Beach


View of Gananapti Temple from Sea !!
Now Small boat are avail with plenty of safety Jackets with nominal fees of Rs.100/- per person , boat is 6 seater + 1 Driver. Actually boat travels more than 1 Km inside Sea and then you can enjoy the view of earth from Sea !!!!
View of Ganapatipule Beach from Middle of Sea !!


Prefer to stay at Konkani wadi's instead of Posh and lavish hotels . There are plenty of hotel with stating range of Rs.500/- on wards budget accommodations are available , I suggest to  confirm your place of stay before you reach there.
One of the good place to stay. Facilities are moderate, but rooms are very clean. It is basically a Konkani Home with spare Guest rooms. Environment is very friendly charges are nominal. Specially owner Mr.Bapat is very cooperative. You can check availability and book rooms over telephone. You should carry Telephone numbers of the place of stay etc as mobile network is available majorly on streets but Telephone works fine here. Even I have faced issue of data connectivity in town but as I reached Temple excellent speed for data for " What's App".


Further options for Stay and Fresh-up.  There are ample options for one day tourist like dormitory, arrangement for bathing and fresh-up available around temple. I suggest, the savings made in Accommodation cost shall directly adds up funds for amusement , But never try to cut corners !!


Ganapati Temple Main Entry 




Rooms are also available inside the temple premises at " Bakta-niwas " . You may contact Bhakta-niwas at 02357-235223. I was told that Bhakta-niwas provide rooms on first come first serve basis. No advance bookings are available. One may join Que at Morning 9.00am at Bhakta-niwas counter and apply for accommodation.


A View of Gananpatipule Temple


Ganapatipule is one of the rare temples of Ganapati where Ganesh Idol is " Swayambhu " means self originated . As Ganesha Mukha is west facing in the temple and Sundha means trunk of Ganapati in the centre of hill. Perimeter of hill is approx 1000m. Well constructed steps, on every wall Ganesh Vandana or marathi Sloka's were written.

It's a 'say' that one who visits Ganapati temple should take a round of hill for his complete "Darshan" of Ganapati . Pradakshina Marga had dense tress, trough and crests, tress of Kewada, Cashews and Oldest baniyan tree. You may see the the best view of Sea from Pradikshina Marg.
Shunda-stan Temple at Pradakshina Marg.



Shuda-stan at the cetre of Pradakshina Marg !!



A View of Sea from Pradakshina Marg !!


The Most awaited seen was infront of me !!! 

We had very good food at Hotel Annapurna and recharged our-self to enjoy Attraction of the day !! Now Ganapatipule Beach had beautified with nice sit-outs facing Sea & Garden Chairs inside sand. 

We reached at 5.30pm , carrying lots of junk eatables like local cashews, Goti mango's,Nuts etc . Just made our self stable at one nice chair , our location was very special, it was aligned with Ganapati temple and Sunset point. 
Honestly, this was the best and memorable moment for both of us . Speed was very slow to go down up to 6.00pm , after it reached horizon in few seconds Sun disappeared leaving behind golden light !!! 


Can't Stop posing myself at Golden view!!!


Ganapati Temple in Golden Light !!!!
I found a still at Ganapatipule about ancient Temple of " Shree "
We ended our first day with Nice Ganapati darshan and Prasad at Mandir.

I have been asked for Rs.3000/- for Marleshwar-Pawas-Ratnagiri for AC car for a day , this was the biggest hack on my pocket but option of sharing winger was open for me.

On the way back to room, I booked a sharing Winger for Marleshwar, Pawas, Local Ratnagiri site seeing & Are-Ware Beach Sunset. I was very happy to pay Rs.350/- per seat, Winger was 10 Seater , all co-travelers were couples and kids.

Day 2 Itinerary : Marleshwar, Pawas, Ratnagiri Local like Patit Pawan Mandir,Tibua Palace,Ratnagiri Fort,Lokmanya Tilak Birth Place & Are-Ware Beach Sunset.
Today we got up with alarm tone of " Ha Sagari Kinara.... " at morning 5.30am. Quickly got fresh and ran for again beach water amusment at 6.00am !! 



Actually I was at Ganapatipule on Full moon day, see the height of waves in comparison with men standing infront of waves !!
A very comfortable winger & Enjoy Tour !!! Driver was very much trained for Ghat sections and internal short routes of Konkan. Especially he was giving us ample time at all seeing location and promptly waiting near Winger, he was also drive commentary guide . Afternoon we landed at Athrva Hotel at Panjim Highway where Kaju Curry was the main attraction .



Valley infront of Marleshwar Temple
Valley infront of Marleshwar Temple

Marleshwar Entry at Beneath of Valley 



Valley infront of Marleshwar Temple



Main Entry of Marleshwar Gumpha !!!


Marleshwar Waterfall live in middle of Summer also !


Patitpavan Mandir - Ratnagiri !



Day 3 Itinerary : Jaigad Ferry Jai Ganesh Temple ( Jindal Temple ) & Prachin Kokan

           Got up as usual in morning !! Went to Sea bath , had enjoyed till 10.00am and did Ganapati Darshan at 11.00am , I was feeling this day was very lazy day due to yesterdays travel, but we inquired locally about Jaigad , Many of Autowala's were ready to take us at cost of Rs.400/- to 500/-. Finally we decided to go with Local ST as distance is only 25Km, but frequency is not much and it was very hot sun day hence decided to Travel by Auto. Autowala was also very friendly and guiding nature. 

           I urge not to miss the opportunity to go to Jaigad if you are planning to Ganapatipule. Road connection was entirely carved out from junction of Beach and hill. Once you start from Ganapatipule cost banks will not leave you till Jaigad.
          Auto dropped us right infront of Ticket counter of Ferry boat !! Ticket was Rs.20/- per person above 5 years, I was able to catch ferry at 12.15pm. At every 45mins Ferry Boat has departure. Finally we started !! 

Ticket Counter at Jaigad , Actuall Ferry starts from Sakharmohalla of Jaigad and Drops us at Tavsal , travel time is 20-30 mins but you see lonely beaches, forests around coast. Best place to enjoy Ferry is its Deck !!!
Sakharmohalla Ferry Port ! Bus , car Sumo was waiting for Ferry !!


A View from Deck!


A View from Deck! with Jindal Power plan at Background !!


A View from Deck! A lonely beach with nice trees !


A View from Deck! Our Ferry creating line of water till a Kilometer lengh !!!


A View from Deck!


FRONT OF BOAT !!


A View from Deck! Tavsal Pour with waterstructure !!


A View from Deck! Getting Down at Tavsal Port. Actuall its a small Konkani village with connectivity to nearest highway ! Few hotels are available for Snacks and tea etc.


Getting Down from Ferry !!


A view at Tavsal Port, Ferry Vs Manual Boat !!!




Tavsal Port Ferry Ticket Point .


A View from Tavsal Port !


A View from Deck near Tavsal Port with Lonely beaches.

A View from Deck! Fisher Men with Mini Fishing Boat !!!

Surprise !!!!!!!!! 
A Monment located at Survernamadhya of Sea and Dense Forest !!!
Guess What can be this ?  


We have neither thought of this , nor red anywhere, nor told by local people, about above red fort !!

Most Clean !! Simply Great !

Most Colourful Landscape !!

Awesome Location !

I really don't have words to define what I saw and pleasure to see this !! 

Road side View
While going to Jaigad this monument is visible from road but you see this only as a giant monument but none of internal landscape is visible since temple is east facing and road to Jaigad runs behind temple !
On the way back I requested Autowala for a pause at this place and series of surprises started from Here !!


First and most important thing about the moment was , as you enter in the premises you see giant Hanuman Idol make you feel that it is Ram Mandir, But it's Not !!

Hanuman Madir
Moment you reach middle you feel that its a palace of some Rich delegate with external landscape, but its not !!!


Again you reach further you find a " Sweet Water Pond" with Lotus in side then we decided it is surely Laxmi Temple, But again it's Not !!



Fact is this , it's a Lord Ganapati Temple !! Built by Shree. Sajjan Jindal last year !!! 





Photograph of Foundation Stone !!


10 feet and more tall , Sihasanadish, Left Sond ( trunk) Panchadhatu Ganesha Idol !!!! Interiors of " Garbhagrugha " are mind blowing made up of wood with 9 wooden columns and Mahirapi at Top almost 50 feet diameter .

Overall this temple is like Akshardham Temple at Delhi in addition to view of Sea beach !

Luckly it was middle of day, rush was rare and we were very happy to about pleasant Darshanam of Ganapati Bappa !!!




Most Colourful Landscape !!




Roof of Temple Mandapam !!




A View from Temple of Jindal Staff Housing & Sea view !



Most Colourful Landscape !!




The Main purpose of this blog is to share information available with me with my experience, You may suggest any fine tuning or additions required . It is a purely non-commercial write up, not linked with any person or organisation. If you have concerns about photos or write up,  pls write me at pingalkarganesh@gmail.com , if required contents can be modified or deleted .











Complete Ganapatipule Beach - Panoramic View 










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