Shree Ganesh Temple Ganpatipule: Where Faith Meets Nature

Shree Ganesh Temple Ganpatipule is a renowned Hindu temple located in the coastal town of Ganpatipule, which is situated in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity who is widely revered as the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings.

About the Shree Ganesh Temple Ganpatipule:

Location: The temple is located atop a small hill overlooking the crystal clear beaches of the Arabian Sea. Here stands one of the beautiful locations of the coast with a heavenly view of the beach and the surroundings.

Architectural Style: The temple architecture is rather simple and the style of design that is followed is generally traditional for a Hindu temple. It is of white sandstone, and this temple has a self-originated (Swayambhu) idol of Lord Ganesha.

This place said to contain an idol of Lord Ganesha believed to be the very one that has originated from the earth; even claimed to be nearly 400 years old and self-originated.

Ganesh Chaturthi Festival: This festival of Ganesh Chaturthi gives expression to the birth of Lord Ganesha and forms an integral part of this temple. Colorful decorations and full on celebrations dot all around and within it during this time of the year.

Beaching Beauty and Scenic: Because it is situated on the beach, it has given some additional beauty to this temple. Visitors of this temple get a serene atmosphere, pristine shoreline along with breathtaking sunset while gazing at the temple.

A beautiful temple to pray and meditate– With serene nature around the room, people can quite well pray and meditate here. So, many devotees and visitors come in search of relief for the soul and divine blessings.

Culture: You will also see local culture around the temple, which includes coastal food and traditional arts and crafts of this region.

Accessibility: Ganpatipule is accessible through good roads and one of the most popular destinations for travelers who are keen on exploring the Konkan coast of Maharashtra.

Story of Shree Ganesh Temple in Ganpatipule:

Historical Background:

The Shree Ganesh Temple is ages old. It is said that this was built in the year around 1600 AD. The deity worshipped here is a ‘Swayambhu,’ or a self-manifested idol wherein there had been surprising discovery.

Legend of Discovery:

This origin story about the temple is really very interesting. The story is that a cowherd by name Bhurya had discovered the statue of Lord Ganesh buried in the sand. The statue lay totally buried except for its trunk, which came out of the sand. Bhurya and his friends were playing on the beach when the buried statue was, quite unintentionally, unearthed. It was considered a divine revelation by the gods, therefore the people decided to build a temple over the statue location.

Unique Idol and its Significance:

The idol of Lord Ganesh in the temple is quite distinctive. Unlike most Ganesh idols, this one is in an unusual ‘Udbhava Murthi’ form, where Lord Ganesh’s trunk turns to the right instead of the more common leftward direction. This is considered extremely auspicious and unique to the temple. Devotees flock to witness this special idol and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesh.

Miracles of Shree Ganesh in Ganpatipule:

• Once in a year, the surf around the shore tries to come up to the temple as if it wants to touch the feet of the lord.
• The temple is built in such a way that light rays coming from the Sun directly touch the idol of Lord Ganesh in the months of February and November.
• Devotees believe that if we whisper in the ears of the Mushika built with brass (Mouse – lord’s transport medium) will reach the lord.
• Devotees believe that the base of the hill is in the shape of Lord Ganesh so devotees believe circumambulation of the entire hill will fulfill their wishes.

Discover More Sacred Sites: Explore These Must-See Temples!

Sri Siddhivinayak Mahaganapati Temple, Titwala Ganesh Mandir Mumbai,

Sri Swayambhu Siddhivinayak Temple, Rejinthal,

Sri Sarvartha Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Colombo Sri Lanka,

Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Temple, Secunderabad,

Sri Sampath Vinayagar Temple, Visakhapatnam.

Ganpatipule Getaways: Unveiling the Charms Around Shree Ganesh Temple

The nearest beach to the temple is also magnificent, consisting of pristine shores, clear waters, and marvelous views. In fact, it is perhaps the best place for quiet resting and water-related activities.

Jaigad Fort: This ancient fort is around 15 km from Ganpatipule. The bird’s eye view of the Arabian Sea and the coastline makes this a great destination to see. Among the beautiful historical places, this can accommodate interested visitors and give insight into the past of the region.

Ratnagiri: The nearest town of historical and cultural importance is about 25 km from here. Visit Ratnadurg Fort, Thibaw Palace, and Lokmanya Tilak Birth place museum.

Bhate Beach: This beach is a little off from the main beach, though it’s not crowded like the main beach. A nice place for those who want to have a peaceful beach scenario.

The Prachin Konkan Museum: One of the best of cultural experiences that Ganpatipule has in store and around is offered by the Prachin Konkan Museum much in the way of insight into local customs and heritage.

Aare Ware Beach: This is not too far from the Aare Ware Beach, known for its very odd rock formations as well as a very peaceful environment to attract the nature-sensitive tourist.

Lakshmi Keshav Temple: This ancient time Lord Vishnu temple comes located in the Aare Ware village. For any visit based on historical and religious value, this one is worth visiting.

Thiba Palace: This palace in Ratnagiri was the residence of the exiled Burmese king, Thibaw Min. This palace now serves as a museum giving an idea about the exiled life of this king.

Guhagar Beach – one is approximately 40 kms from Ganpatipule; it is famous for its huge coast and silent, peaceful ambience. It is a common day-long tour place for many.

Velneshwar Temple
The backdrop to this place is dense green and peaceful, a distance of about 34 km from the ancient Lord Shiva temple near Ganpatipule.

How to reach Shree Ganesh Temple Ganpatipule:

By Air:

The nearest airport: Ratnagiri Airport.

Distance: approx. 50 kilometers away.

By Train:

The nearest railway station: Ratnagiri Railway Station (approx. 30 kilometers away).

By Road:

Road travel can also be attractive, and you can drive all the way down to Ganpatipule or catch a bus from cities like Mumbai or Pune.
From Mumbai, it is approximately 330 kilometers. You could go by NH66 (formerly NH17) and take the coastal highway through Chiplun to reach Ganpatipule.
Road From Pune, about 325 km You could also take NH66 via Satara and Kolhapur to reach Ganpatipule.