Ganpatipule, **the best beach after Goa, in the midst of nature with white sand in love with crystal clear & real Blue Water, provoking you to enjoy long walk with whispering palms, spotting different birds, enjoying the unique fragrance of Mangroves, grasping the gorgeous Scenic beauty, feeling the amazing Sea breeze, overlooking the Charismatic & Breath taking beauty, and so on..
Well, to have this all, you 1st need to take the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Feel the divine presence of Ganesha before you feel the divine nature. That makes Ganpatipule the most unique travel destination of Maharastra.
Ganesh Temple : Its more than 400 yrs old and holds the Swayambhu Ganpati shrine. You have to take a ‘pradakshina’ in the ‘Pradakshina Marg’, with 1km in length & takes 20mins, sincere request not to avoid this. One can also perform Abhishek and puja. Aarti takes place close to 12 noon, post that you would be offered Khichardi (Rice with Moong Dal). Confirmation of Blessing.
By Train....
Train No./ Origin .... Dep / Arr
2432 / Vasai..... 3:50 / 9:30
2051 / CST....... 5:10 / 10:40
0103 / CST....... 6:55 / 13:30
2618 / Kalyan... 8:50 / 14:33
6345 / LTT........ 11:40 / 18:55
2619 / LTT........ 14:05 / 20:05
6311 / Vasai..... 20:40 / 3:00
0111 / CST....... 23:05 / 5:41
By Road....
From Mumbai - 8-9 hrs
- Via Panvel(50)-Vadkal Naka(95)-Mangaon(158)-Poladpur(208)-Chiplun(270)-Nevali
Phata(350)-Ganpatiphule (380 Kms).
- Via Pune(160)-Satara(265)-Umbraj(300)-(Take right turn to Patan)-Koyna Nagar-(Take left
before Koyna Nagar)-Chiplun(390)-Nevali Phata(475)-Ganpatiphule (505 Kms).
From Pune - 6-8 hrs
- Via Satara(125)-Umbraj(160)-(Take right turn to Patan)-Koyna Nagar-(Take left
before Koyna Nagar)-Chiplun(250)-Nevali Phata(335)-Ganpatiphule (365 Kms).
……………………..Best time to visit… except Jun & July………..
Aug-Sep – Enjoyment ….Journey (80%) and stay+beach (20%)
Oct-Nov – Enjoyment .... Journey (60%) and stay+beach (40%)
Dec-Jan – Enjoyment .... Journey (35%) and stay+beach (65%)
Feb-May – Enjoyment … Journey (10%) and stay+beach (50%), harrasment due to Hot Weather (40%).
…………………………....Accomodations……………………………………….
Range from Rs. 200 to Rs. 6000….Per room / day charges.
High End :
Krishnali : 235635/6 : Rs. 3000 & ranges upto 5000 during season
Medium*Range
*Abhishek : 235327 : Rs. 2000 & ranges upto 5000 during season
BudgetRange
Landmark : 235212 : Rs. 1500 & ranges upto 2500 during season
Krishna Sea View : 235647 : Rs. 1200 & ranges upto 2000 during season
Value for Money : Rs. 200 to Rs.1200.
Shree Kelkar Lodge, Sreesagar, Gokul Logde, Ganesh Kripa, Hotel Swati, Hotel Samrat, Mathura Lodge, Hotel Sameer, Hotel Rajnigandha, Atharva, Morya, Sachin Hotel, Shree Krupa Sadan, Shri Matruchaya.
MTDC : 235248 : Rs. 900 – Rs. 3600
I am mentioning MTDC separately because it deserves so. I have visited twice and both the times stayed in MTDC only. The reason is simple. The beach is more than 6 kms, but the happening place is only 2 kms. Out of which the Ganpati Temple consumes 500 mts and the rest 1.5 kms is with MTDC. Now if you are a beach lover, I mean, if you want to enjoy the water let say during 8am to 11am.
and then want to gaze the sea, sitting in an open restaurant with soft / hard drink for the entire day, kids with the beach sand, want to enjoy the sunset again on the sea during 4:30pm to 7pm and finally again want to have snacks/drinks/dinner till 11pm; even during the entire day, there would be a no. of times, when you / ladies / children want to use the room in which you are staying, you only have one option, and that is MTDC. You can spend your entire day under an Umbrella & Camp-fire at night and you can do these only at MTDC.
One more thing which makes MTDC interesting & exclusive is the Back water. Water Scooter, Motor Boats & Paddle Boats are available only at this resort. Fishing in the backwaters is just amazing.
There is an Ayurvedic massage centre located in the MTDC resort as well. Now there are no Tents in MTDC. All have been converted to huts and are commonly known as KONKANI Huts, worthy.
My sincere advice, if you want to enjoy Ganpatiphule, you need to stay at MTDC only. The only other option offering close to these facilities is Hotel Abhishek.
Eatery : Sol Kadhi, Mango Extract, Kokam Sharbat, Misal Pav, Phanaspoli, Ambapoli, Modak., Eating Joints : Joshi Khanval, Kelkar Lodge for Maharastrian, Konkani & Malwani food.
Shopping : The delicious Konkani Masala.
.........................Points to Remember.............
Always book 1st and then visit as far MTDC is concerned.
The beach is not that safe for Swimming...I mean don't go too inside, otherwise OK.
The highest visitor on the beach is not human being, not even birds, but CRABS.
…….......…..…Nearby places to visit…………………
Around Ganpatiphule:Prachin Konkan(2kms),Devgad Fort(35kms avoidable), Malgund(2kms) the birthplace of famous Marathi poet Kavi Keshvasoot., Pawas(35) Swami Swarupanand’s Ashram & Taiga Fort also worth a visit.
Ratnagiri (45kms) : Ratnagiri beach, Thibaw Palace, Bhagwati Mandir, Marine Biological Research Centre, Ratnadurg fort, Tilak Smarak, Patit Pawan Mandir.
Guhagar (90 kms) :Guhagar Beach.
………..............To Summarise...................................
Ganpatiphule is the Crown of Konkan. The best beach in terms of serene beauty, with clear water with Blueish-Greenish colour, unmatched natural beauty making it a paradise for Swimmers. The sunset is amazing and you get ample time to unwind yourself. My suggestion, since its a long drive, please stay here for atleast 2 night and you would really feel the difference. Last, but not the least its the ultimate divine place for your soul.
