Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule > General Information > Places to Visit

Legend has it that during 16th century AD, a villager seeking refuge from the conflicts around his tiny village, vigorously made his way through the Kerda jungles and stumbled upon Lord Ganapati's idol here, around which he made a temple. For four hundred years thereafter, generation upon generation of villagers, who came from elsewhere and started living there, cared for and added to the shrine and made it into the temple one sees today.

Ganpatipule, a charming little town along the Konkan coast in Maharashtra, is important to Indian nationalists as the birthplace of the leader Lokmanya Tilak. It is also of significance to Hindus as the site of a famous Ganpati temple. But what really sets Ganpatipule apart from the numerous other coastal towns and villages along India's seashores are the unbelievably beautiful beaches of the place.

Ganpatipule is pleasant with sparkling waters against silvery shores; jagged palm fronds framed against magnificent sunsets. This is the spot where you can soak in hours of sun and sea-spray, watch time flow by, wonder at sunrises, marvel at sunsets, drink in the moonlight and dance on the moonbeams. And if you are looking for a spot of action, Ganpatipule is a venue for paragliding.

Part of the excitement of going to Ganpatipule is the scenic drive through the Western Ghats, the chain of green hills along the Konkan coast. The beaches on the coastline are amazingly clear, of both rocks and crowd of visitors. All along the way are tiny fishing villages; woodlands of casuarina and tropical fruit; and stretches of clean, golden sand. Whether you go to Ganpatipule by rail or road, the route is as breathtaking as the destination itself.

Besides fabulous beaches and the ancient Ganpati Swayambhu temple, Ganpatipule affords a number of opportunities for excursions into remote fishing hamlets, villages and towns of the Konkan. The entire coastline is breathtakingly beautiful, with pure beaches, overhung by steep hills and scattered by pretty little creeks. Enthusiastic beach-lovers can actually hire a car and drive along the coast, as it's lovely all the way.

Sparkling blue waters, endless stretches of golden or silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swaying palms, waves playing with the sand dunes, a cool breeze whispering sweet nothing in your ear. This is the land of Ganpatipule, one of Maharashtra's almost virgin beaches.

Nestled in the greenery is an almost 4000 year old landmark - the Swayambhu Ganapati temple (Swayambhu means 'self-made', this is a temple of the self-originated idol, Ganapati). It is flooded by thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Thus the village got its name Ganapatipule, Ganapati the lord of the "ganas" or army and "pule" which means sand dunes, Ganapatipule is one of the "Ashta Ganapatis" (eight Ganapatis) of India and is known as "Paschim Dwar Dewata" (the Western Sentinel God).

There are narrow mud-roads, the earth is red and the roofed houses with clean courtyards add a quaint touch to the panorama. The local vegetation includes fruit bearing trees like mango, betelnut, banana, jackfruit, coconut, etc. The entire western coast is covered with these trees. The locals are as warm and cheerful as their surroundings. Ever ready to chat with the visitors and make them feel at home.

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