Shri Kshetra Ganapatipule..

Shree Kshetra Ganapatipule, a self-proclaimed Ganesha among many tourist spots in Maharashtra, is famous since the Peshwa period. This is historical temple of Swayambhu Shri Ganesha in the huge mountains by the bottomless blue sea. Swayambhu Ganesha idol is facing west. All the people nearby villages believe that the entire mountain with this idol is Lord Ganesha. Everyone feels satisfied seeing the very happy idol in the heart. The gabhara of the main temple is three-four

stairs down and is about six by six. The idol coated with two GandSthalas and bright eyes are decorated with beautiful flowers every morning after Ganapati bath. On the left side of the idol, a white tooth can be seen prominently. Earlier this temple was Koularu like other temples in Konkan. There are three Deepmalas on the left and right sides of the temple from very early times. Now after the restoration of the temple, further improvements have been made. Before entering the temple, there was a spring of water coming from the mountains on the left hand side. Devotees used to wash their feet in it and go to have darshan of God. Now there are fuor tap water installed on the right hand side. There is a very big auditorium. In one part of the pavilion is the office of Sri Kshetra Ganapatipule Sansthan. There used to be Dharamshalas built by Ramabai Peshwas. There used to be a town hall on it. called  in Marathi 'Nagara'. Now, devotees are given free food as prasad every afternoon in the side of that auditorium. The whole mountain where the Ganapati temple is located has a circumambulation path of about one kilometer made of purple stone. There is a lighthouse(Deep mala) at Morya at some distance on the Pradakshina route. Further through the forest the path heads east and then straight south. There at one place on the right side we see a Ganesha idol in the rock. A shed is now built here. From there the slope starts towards the west. On the right hand side on the way is the monastery of Shembekar Maharaja from long ago. After descending some distance, on the right hand side there is a very beautiful stone-built water basin. We used to swim over there. Going straight north from here we re-enter the temple.  There are many trees in this entire hilly area along the sea coast there are forests of large suruchi and kevada. In front of the temple, you can see a very charming view of the unbroken ocean and the beautiful white sandy beach. Many types of entertainment facilities are now available on the seashore. It is a lot of fun to take waves in the small sea water there. Of course, there is also danger if you go too far into the sea here. Ganpati Sansthan  has planted a notice board there. Earlier a little old Nagarkhana was visible in the sand in front of the temple. On the right side of the temple is the bungalow of Maharaj Patwardhan of Miraj. Earlier it used to be rented for a day by Rs.2 fares. Over the past few years, the number of devotees visiting Ganapatipule has increased and the temple committee has built a beautiful 'Bhakta Niwas' for them. It is half a kilometer up the road leading to the Bhagwati temple from the Ganesha temple. Also now there are many hotels and home stays. The nearby Malgund village also has many big hotels which provide good facilities to many devotees. Many shops and small hotels have also come up in the temple area. There is a big yatra on Maghi Chaturthi even my friend has written a detailed article on it. Every Chaturthi and Saturday Sunday is very crowded here. Ganapatipule is about 23 km from Ratnagiri. People coming from Mumbai and coming from the top of Ghat have to come from Nivli Phata. It is about 30 kilometers. The route from Ratnagiri comes through Aare Ware Ghat. This area is very scenic. Describing the whole area would be like writing a big book, the whole area is very beautiful and well maintained with the blessings of Shri Mangal Murthy. The temple committee has done a lot of hard work and is making many facilities for Shri Ganesha devotees with all the comforts and conveniences. Pleasant idols, pleasant temples, beautiful beaches, verdant forests, and all the splendor of Konkan's sweet-natured people.

You will definitely like Shri Shetra Ganapatipule with best compliments.... Ram Kelkar Bavdhan. Pune.