Ganpatipule, Maharashtra

Ganapathi Pule

( गणपतीपुळे )

ऊं गं गणपतये नम:

Source - ganpatipule.co.in

Ganpatipule is a renowned Hindu pilgrimage place in Maharashtra.

Thousands of devotees of Lord Ganpati visit this small town in the district of Ratnagiri in western Maharashtra.

Source - wikipedia

Ganpatipule is a beach town lying on the coast of the Arabian Sea with the temple of Lord Ganpati, Swayambhu Ganpati Mandir lying right on the pristine white-sand beach that is 3 km in length.

The temple is around 4000 years old with a self manifested orange  idol of Lord Ganpati.

The unique feature of the idol being that it faces the west and hence is referred as the Paschim Dwarpalak ( To guard the western gates )

The darshan of the Lord involves a pradakshina of the hill at the base of which the temple lies.

The top of the hill provides a panoramic view of the beach up to Malgund, Tivari, Kotwade and Varawade

Swayambhu = Self Originated

Ganapati = Lord of Ganas ( Army )

Pule = Sand dunes

Ganpatipule beach is rated as  the best beach in Maharashtra due to its natural beauty and unique white sand. 

The pristine, unspoilt beauty of the konkan beaches and the coast, clear sparkling sea water, coastal mangroves,coconut palms, dense greenery, quaint villages and serene beaches add to the allure. 

How to reach 

• By road - State run and private buses are the easiest and preferred modes along with private cabs and vehicles with easy connection to major cities of Mumbai, Pune, Sangli, Sholapur, Belgaum, Goa  and Kolhapur running up to Ratnagiri. From Ratnagiri, it's about 25 km to Ganpatipule.

• By train - Nearest railway stations are Ratnagiri  and Bhoke. Ratnagiri station is well connected with all the major rail networks with all express and passenger trains halting here.

• By airplane - Nearest airport being Ratnagiri

Distance from Major Cities 

• Mumbai - 375 km

• Ratnagiri - 26 km 

• Pune - 325 km 

When to visit 

Winter months - October, November, December, January and February

Months to avoid

Summer months - April and May

Monsoon months - June to September

Where to stay 

MTDC resort , private resorts , budget hotels 

Local Cuisine  

Includes Seafood like fish curry and rice, kokum curry, Modaks, Amba Poli,Phanas Poli, Alphonso mangoes,Sabudana khichdi 

What to do 

Visit the temple, sight-seeing, sun-bath, water sports, nature walks and treks 

Tourist attractions

1. Ganpatipule beach

2. Swayambhu Ganpati Mandir 

3. Prachin Konkan museum

4. Bhandarpule beach

5. Ware beach

6. Aare Ware park

7. Malgund beach

8. Magic garden

9. Ksb water park

10. Shree Mahalakshmi's House of wax

11. Kavi Keshavsut Smarak

12. Kajirbhati beach

13. Jaigad fort

14. British built lighthouse

15. Palanquin procession of the Lord ( 17 in a year )

Tourist activities 

• Shopping in the local markets for mango and mango articles like amba poli , jackfruit and phanas poli, homemade mango pickles, gooseberry pickles.

• Water sports ( Swimming is discouraged due to rocky stretches )

• Nature walks 

• Watching the Sunset over the Arabian sea

Temple Schedule

• 5 a.m to 9 p.m.

• Aarti time - 5 a.m, 12 noon , 7 p.m.

• Prasad distribution ( Khichdi ) - 12.30 p.m to 2.30 p.m.

Festivals celebrated :-

1. Bhadra shuddha pratipada to panchmi

2. Magha shuddha 

3. Dassara

4. Deepotsav 

5. Vasant puja 

6. Gauri Ganpati

7. Magh Chaturthi 

Sunset at Ganpatipule ( wikipedia )

List of Tourist places in Lonavala, Maharashtra

 

To say that Lonavala, a hill station nestled in the Sahyadri ranges of Maharashtra is a tourists paradise won't be wrong at all.

It has everything that makes for a relaxing, enjoyable, unique , unforgettable holiday.

Be it a monsoon-lover, a history buff, an adventure sports junkie, a nature - explorer, trekking - enthusiast, or simply someone looking for a fun time, Lonavala has it all.

Right from buddhist caves to explore, hills to climb, forests to trek through, forts to admire, paragliding and bungee-jumping for thrill, amusement parks for the kids, luxury town with unimaginable fun themes, monsoon waterfalls to frolic, dams to gaze at...The fun never ends.

Karla Caves

It has everything from temples, lakes , dams, river rappelling, paragliding, rock-climbing, night camps for star-gazing, Maratha historical forts with amazing architecture and engineering, buddhist caves exploration, unending variety of flora and fauna, dense forests, panoramic views of hills, valleys and rivers, small ethnic tribal villages, fireflies treks , theme-parks, hot air balloon safaris, stargazing, picnic spots, foodies paradise.

Here is a list of the Must-visit attractions of Lonavala 

1. Aamby valley*

2. Amrutanjan point

3. Bhushi dam

4. Bedsa caves

5. Bhairavnath temple

6. Bhaja caves**

7. Duke's nose

8. Dinosaur park

9. Della adventure park

10. Ghangad

11. Imagicaa

12. Karla caves

13. Korigad fort

14. Kamshet point

15. Lohagad fort

16. Lonavala lake

17. Lion's point

18. Magic Mountain

19. Narayani dham temple

20. Rajmachi fort and point

21. Ryewood park and Shivaji Udyan

22. Shooting point

23. Sunil wax museum

24. Tungarli lake and dam

25. Tunga fort

26. Tikona fort

27. Tiger's leap

28. Valvan dam

29. Visapur fort

Bhaja caves

List of Waterfalls to Frolic 

1. Baneshwar

2. Bhagirath

3. Bhivpuri

4. Dabhosa

5. Jummapatti

6. Kune falls ( 14th highest waterfall in India )

7. Kemburli

8. Kataldhar

9. Lonavala waterfall

10. Madap

11. Pandavkada falls

12. Reverse waterfall ( A natural miracle )

13. Saltar dam falls

14. Tamhini

15. Yeoor falls

16. Zenith 

Suffice to say that Lonavala has something for everyone.

It is tremendously popular with all types of tourists; children, youngsters, families, friends groups, honey-mooners. 

Those harried for time can opt for cab services that offer one-day Lonavala darshan.

Though due to its immense popularity across all types of tourists, pre-booking is a must.

And it goes without saying that everywhere one goes, it's bound to be crowded.

As compared to some of the other hill-stations in the state of Maharashtra, Lonavala is on the expensive side.

*Aamby valley can be said to be a complete town with super luxurious ambience and it offers varied and unique experiences in the field of tourism.

**Bhaja Caves have been declared as Monument of National importance by the Archaeological Survey of India. 

Pictures courtesy -holidify.com

Mumbai , Street Food

 

                 Pav Bhaji

Street Food of Mumbai

Mumbai is the financial,administrative and commercial capital of the state of Maharashtra.

Major business houses, industrial offices , administrative offices, Courts of Law, financial institutions,banks, share market,  private sector, corporate offices, schools, colleges, sports clubs, shopping markets, malls, fashion houses, film and TV industry etc  employ lakhs of people from the suburban places and even far-off towns like Karjat, Khopoli, Kasara, Navi - Mumbai, Dahanu, Lonavala, Pune  etc.the many suburban railway stations, parks,  gardens, museums , tourist spots  means a multi million rupees business of street food vendors , ranging from small to mid eateries that flourish all over Mumbai. 

                                     Dal pakwan

According to statistics, around 75 lakh commuters travel through the Mumbai Suburban Railways. 

No wonder Mumbai Street food has flourished and grown to iconic stature.

It helps tremendously that it is easily accessible to all classes of people due to its affordable prices and hence satisfies a varied range of customers.  

Ranging from the traditional marathi cuisine like Zhunka-Bhakar to the fusion foods like tandoori momos and the likes of Chinese Bhel puri, the streets of Mumbai cater to everyone's palette and purse. 

Teens in schools and colleges, hassled office workers ,the forever-in-a-rush Mumbaikar is truly spoilt for choice to satiate his hunger, be it small,quickie snack or a full-fledged meal.

Picture - wikipedia

Here is a list of a few of the Unparalleled Mumbai Street foods : -

1. Zhunkha Bhakar

2. Kande Pohe

3. Vada pav

4. Misal pav

5. Usal pav

6. Pav bhaji

7. Upma.

8. Veg frankies

9. Kachori 

10. Bombay Salad Sandwich and toasters

11. Anda pav

12. Keema pav

13. Momos ( veg & non veg )

14. Idlis

15. Medu Vada

16. Dosas

17. Uttapams

18. Pani puri

19. Sev puri

20. Bhel puri

21. Dahi puri

22. Butter / Button papdi

23. Samosa

24. Kebabs ( veg and non veg )

25. Veg hakka noodles

26. Spring rolls 

27. Noodles fry

28. Chinese Bhel

29. Chinese fried rice

30. Manchurian ( veg and non veg )

31. Ragda pattice

32. Kothimbir vadi

33. Kanda bhajiya

34. Bread pakode

35. Dabeli

36. Pizzas

37. Hot dogs

38. Masala Corn

39. Sindhi dal pakwan

40. Sabudana vada

41. Paneer chilli 

42. Tawa pulao

43. Thali peeth

44. Moong dal pakode

45. Sabudana khichdi

46. Masala pav

47. Chole Bature

48. Puri Bhaji

49. Dhokla

50. Akuri

51. Veg and cheese burgers

52. Chicken shawarma

53. Chicken lollipop

54. Chicken roll

55. Maska Bun

56. Baida roti

57. Mutton roll 

58. Fried prawns 

59. Bombay duck

60. Prawns koliwada

Suffice to say that Mumbai is a haven for all foodies who are superbly spoiled for choice. Her Khau-gullies are pure bliss to visit.

A truly gastronomical adventure awaits each and every day. 

 

Ragda pattice

 ( Pictures by - Anju Bhagnari )