there are many popular ganpati temples in maharashta and ganpatipule ganesha temple is one of them. i have visited many temples in maharashtra and this is one of my favorite temple apart from mahalaxmi temple in kolhapur, tulja bhavani temple in solapur and shirdi sai baba temple.
ganpatipule temple is around 25 km ratnagiri district famous for its alphonso mangoes and beaches. although the temple is around 400 years old but it has become very famous in last 20 years only.
the ganpatipule temple is situated at the base of hillock and right in front of a beautiful beach. yes, the beaches in this area are much better than goa beaches. less crowded and the water is very clean and clear. you can easily see the sand below the water.
what touched my soul in ganpatipule temple – there is a subtle peace and silence which pervades inside the temple premises. the moment i enter the temple complex, i felt that i have come to a spiritual place. the temple is neat and clean. a well maintained temple with adequate security.
the priests are honest and do pooja or abhishekam without hurry and with proper procedure. they don’t try to cheat you or ask you to do rituals or abhishekam. so the place is still not commercialized. there is enough space in the temple hall where ganesha idol is placed for 100-150 people to sit. so you can quietly do the darshan and then sit in the same hall and meditate on lord ganesha statue right in front of you.
moreover the temple authorities also serve free lunch. after 12 pm aarti, the pujari announced to everyone to have free meal. the food or prasad is prepared hygienically and served with respect. the day i visited the temple, they served khichdi, mango pickle and boondi. there are enough chairs for you to sit and eat at ease.
so in this temple you can experience the divinity and pray to lord ganesha. the surrounding of temple is also very good. green mountains and a clean beach automatically makes you relax. there is not many shops nearby.. so you are sitting in the lap of nature and away from madness of city life. not to mention the excellent sunset which you should not miss.
this is the place where divinity, ocean and mountain meets. so there is a magic in the air and you just need to be open to this place. don’t go with any expectation. because with expectation mind comes. in this place go with a open heart to pray to lord ganesha.
if you are a devotee of lord ganesha then this is one temple which you must visit at least once in lifetime. official website of ganpatipule temple.
so lets begin the photo tour of ganpatipule temple:
1. ganpatipule temple entrance. along with lord ganesha, there are statue of ma saraswati and ma laxmi. i read some where that if you want to have ma laxmi and ma saraswati both in your house then you must worship lord ganesha. there are lot of coconut trees in the temple premises.
2. musak raj or mouse (lord ganesha vahana/vehicle) right in front of temple. i have seen in the movie “my friend ganesha” that you can tell your desires to musak raj by whispering in his ears. musak raj will further pass it to lord ganesha. this is a excellent movie for kids to watch and learn about lord ganesha.
3. ganpatipule temple complex situated below a small hillock and right in front of beach.
4. lot of intricate carving is done on temple walls. most carvings are of lord ganesha.
5. ganpatipule temple from another angle. either you can sit inside the temple hall or sit outside. inside the temple hall photography is banned but in the temple complex many people click photographs.
6. closeup shot of temple kalash. you can also do parikarma of the hill. the total parikarma distance is around 1 km.
7. main temple hall where lord ganesha swayambhu (self manifested) statue is placed. so you can do darshan and leave the hall or sit in the hall for some time. this divine place is to remember and worship lord ganesha. its better to shut the mind and open the heart to ganesha here. so please maintain silence here and remember lord. talking in such place will disturb others and you will also miss the chance to take god’s name.
you can also make donation for free food service or other charitable causes in this hall itself.
8. ganesha swayambhu statue. i have clicked this photo outside in a shop. as photography is banned inside the temple hall. this 400 years old ganpati statue is said to have sprung up from the soil. the ganesha statue faces the west, so as to guard the western gates, unlike the deities in other temples who face the east direction.
9. above photo is old ganpatipule temple which has been renovated now. i clicked this photo while having snacks in a local hotel.
10. some important details for you, in case you plan to visit this silent and divine temple.
11. view of ganpatipule beach from temple premises.
12. although there are many popular beaches nearby. but i preferred this ganpatipule beach as i wanted to stay close to the temple.
13. camel rides close to the temple complex.
14. sunset is very beautiful here. don’t miss it.
15. about the stay… there are many cheap as well 3-4 star hotels here. but the hotels need to catch up with their standard. this MTDC hotel is right in front of ganpatipule temple. just a stone away.
the above map shows approximate location of temples.
more religious places nearby:
1. dashabhuja laxmi ganesh temple in hedvi.
2. velneshwar shiva temple
(the first and second temple are on same route)
3. marleshwar shiva temple, in maral village, 16 km from deorukh village
4. jyotibha temple, kolhapur
5. kolhapur mahalaxmi temple
(3rd, 4th and 5th temple can be done together in 1-2 day. if you go to kolhapur then also visit narsingh wadi datta temple and kopeshwar shiva temple).
prasad says
ganpati bappa morya ! Nice Ganpati temple and sea.
shashikant maske says
Prasad bhai ganpatipule ka mundir kub bund hota hai
Laxmi Chauhan says
Would like to visit ganpatipule in the end of july suggest me how to reach by train, stay & to see sighting for us to make the trip easy.
admin says
laxmi, there are many hotels there. but don’t expect good value for money in terms of hotel service. MTDC resort is right in front of temple. about sight seeing ganpatipule is very beautiful. there are many famous beaches there. in july it will be more beautiful.