Nov 20, 2010 08:17 PM
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(Updated Nov 20, 2010 10:43 PM)
I had read about Ganapatiphule from MS reviews and hence decided to check wether is it really worth the mention.
Getting there :
We booked the konkankanya express (https://irctc.co.in/) which leaves at 11:05 PM from CST
I had also booked a room in MTDC resort (https://maharashtratourism.gov.in) as I had read that last minute bookings are not possible. Hence on Friday 15th Jan 2010 , I, my brother and mom boarded the konkankanya express from CST( we almost missed it ).We reached Ratnagiri station at 5:30 am next morning ( around 6 hours journey) caught a rickshaw to take us to bus stand for Rs 80.( railway station and bus stand are not close by).Please note that a few smart rickshawallas might tell you that bus to Ganapatiphule will come only by noon and might offer to take you Ganapatiphule for Rs 350, IGNORE SUCH THINGS !!! There are buses to Ganapatiphule every 45 min from Ratnagiri.Ganapatiphule is about 60 Kms from Ratnagiri and the bus ride will take you less than 2hours. The journey is full of scenic beauty filled with quaint little villages and lush green trees . You will also see the coast line from time to time.
At the resort
We reached the MTDC resort (which is bang adjacent to the beach) by 8'oclock but as the check in happens at 10:00 we freshened up and had break fast had the MTDC restaurant and had a morning walk by the sea.Wow the beach is too good to be described in words.I had seen blue- green beaches only in movies ....to see it in Maharashtra was unbelievable. We had taken a SUPER DELUXE ROOM A/C (Rs 2100 per day). This is for 2 ppl only , for the 3rd person they charge Rs 500 extra . We were pleasantly surprised when we got the room overlooking the beach , imagine you coming into the verandah and looking at the cool blue beach this truly a soothing sight for ppl living in the cities.
Ganapatiphule is a sleepy little hamlet which gets crowded in the weekend. The places of note here are
of course the Beach and the 400-year-old Ganapati Swayambhu Temple. You can also visit places like the Malgund ( 1 km away) , home to the famous Marathi poet Keshavsoot and Prachin Konkan - a museum setup which shows the old culture and customs from konkan area.
You will enjoy the long walks on the serene beaches here Note: At night people are not allowed to go from the MTDC resort to the beach
You should try to eat the scrumptious Malvani cuisine which is available in the local eateries. We relished authentic maharastrian food at a Bhojanalaya (run by Mr. Joshi) at a walking distance from MTDC. Solkadi at this place was awesome .Also try to have lunch/dinner at Abishekh resort –awesome prawns curry, however its bit expensive and you would need a rickshaw to go there (Fare: Rs30).
The local shops also have sweet preparations like Ambapoli and Phanaspoli (pancakes of dried mango and jack fruit respectively) and small mementos to carry back home. If you visit during the mango season, don't forget to buy the world famous Devgad "Hampus" mangoes.
Other places which you can visit around Ganapatiphule are ( you need to have your own vehicle):
1) Marleshwar-60 kms from Ganapatipule, famous for its Shiva temple and waterfall.
2) Derward-85 kms from Ganapatipule, it is well known for its Shiv Shristi (an exhibition on Chhatrapati Shivaji)
3) Parshuram-Known for the Parshuram temple, it is 112 kms away from Ganapatipule.
4) Pawas-Pawas is naturally beautiful and serene. The place is also prominent for the ashram of Swami Swaroopanand.
5) Jaigad Fort The legendary fort stands high and proud on the cliff with a spectacular view of the sea. The fort is at the entrance of the Sangameshwar river and is 35 kms away from Ganapatipule.
Point of note :
1) Best time to go is between Nov and Feb; as it’s a coastal region it becomes very humid during the summer time even in Jan it was difficult to walk in the noon.
2) Book in 1 month in advance as far as trains and MTDC resorts are concerned
3) there are lots of resorts which are cheaper than MTDC but are not next to the beach, the MTDC is strategically placed just next to the beach and the service and food here is decent too.
4) try to get the night train so that you reach Ganapatiphule by morning. MTDC checking timings are 10:00 am and check out is 09:30 am
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