Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule > General Information > Places to Visit

General Information

Geographic Location :
Ganpatipule lies along the Konkan coast, approximately 375 kms south of Mumbai.

Climate:
The coastal climate is mostly hot and humid but it is healthy and devoid of pollution. The temperature is at its peak (around 38 Degree C) in the month of March. The monsoon falls between June and October. The rains are regular here. The climate is pleasant in winter and the temperature often falls at night.

Language Spoken:
Marathi is the most widely spoken language along with local dialect of 'konkani'.
People also know Hindi and English.

What to eat:
Local fish curries (since Ganpatipule is a pilgrimage destination, you may get non-vegetarian food just on the outskirts of the village), rice and 'konkam kadi'(a pink coloured liquid, either to be drunk after food or had with rice ; the 'kokam kadi' is a highly digestive drink and neutralizes all effects of spicy food ). Vegetarians can also feast on simple but tasty fare: dal, vegetables prepared with coconut base and 'modak' (a favorite dish of Ganesh). Besides the MTDC restaurant Tarang offers some of the finest vegetarian food in the region.

What to buy:
The 'Konkan' blessed with some of the finest horticulture fruits offers you a variety of local preprations. Like ' ambapoli' (thin pancakes of dried and crushed mango). 'phanspoli' (thin pancakes of dried and crushed jack fruit). Cashewnuts, coconuts etc. If you're in Ganapatiphule in summer don't leave without buying the most famous variety of mangoes in the world in the world - the devgad' hapus' mango.

Local Festivals
Gauri Ganapati, Magh chaturthi (on the 4th day of the lunar month of Magh, equivalent to approximately February, which most locals believe is the actual birth date of Lord ganapathi) and Dashavtar are the most important events not just in Ganapatiphule but the entire 'konkan' region. Other festivals like holi, Gudi Padva and Diwali are also celeberated.

What to wear?
Loose cotton attire is suitable and comfortable. Although during winters, warm clothing is preferable. Swimming costumes are recommended for people indulging in water - sports.

Places to visit: Malgund, Pawas, Jaigad Fort, Ratnagiri, Velneshwar, Marleshwar, Derwen, Parshuram

How to get there?

By Air : The nearest airport is Ratnagiri around 50 km away.

By Rail : The nearest railway station is Ratnagiri 50 kms on the Konkan Railway Network.

By Road : There are regular as well luxury buses running from Mumbai 375 km away & Pune 331 km to Ganpatipule. Most of the time, journeys are overnight and one can reach Ganpatipule by morning. Kohlapur to Ganpatipule is 144 kms.

Access
Ganpatipule is 375 km away from Mumbai, the closest metro with an international airport. It lies 30 km off the Mumbai-Goa Highway, 50 kms short of Ratnagiri, which is the nearest railhead. You can take an overnight MTDC bus from Mumbai's Nariman Point. Or catch the magnificent Konkan Railway from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus). Arrive at Sangameshwar or Ratnagiri and take a bus to Ganpatipule.

Ganpatipule is a small town, and you do not really require transport to get to the beaches. Rickshaws are available for short distances, but be prepared to dispute over fares. The State Transport buses are not particularly recommended. If you are making longer excursions, your best option is to hire a vehicle. The tourist taxis and cars are reliable though you do need to fix the fare in advance.

Best time to visit
Though winter is the tourists time to get to most beaches in India, Ganpatipule can be spectacular during and just after the monsoons (June to October). This is also the time when fewer tourists come to Ganpatipule, so accommodation will be easier to get, and crowds don't flood the beaches.

Accommodation
Low-to-middle budget accommodation is freely available in Ganpatipule. MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) has a resort right on the beach itself. It offers accommodation ranging from tents, dormitories and comfortable air-conditioned suites at affordable prices starting from about Rs 250 for two beds. Other accommodation, much of it privately owned, is off the beach; in most cases private properties offer more amenities and are proportionately more expensive. Other accommodation options include renting a room from the locals, who are geared for the tourist influx.

Further information can be obtained from the offices of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). Ganpatipule doesn't have an MTDC office, but larger cities in the state- including Mumbai- do.

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