Swayambhu Ganpati Temple, Ganapatipule

Ganpati Temple

Every religious place has some significance behind it. As they have some history or glory, this place also has a different story. The popular Swayambhu Ganapati Temple i.e. Ganapatipule. Located in the Ratnagiri district, this temple is about five hundred years old. It is said that Ganapati was not established in this temple but Lord Ganapati himself appeared here. The idol of Ganpati in the temple is white in color and this idol attracts many devotees. Shri Ganesh is the primordial deity.

History of Swayambhu Ganpati Temple

A green shawl of nature on the back of a Pira and a temple of great architecture like Ganpatipule. Ganpatipule, a place on the west coast of Maharashtra is mentioned in the Puranas as the western gate deity. Five hundred years ago, this area of Ganpatipule was first neglected and this area of thick forest, small hill, and long beach were known as Bhandarpule. Residents of neighboring villages used to leave their cattle here.

Ganpatipule Ganesha

The possession of this village was earlier under the hands of Balbhatji Bhide. He was a great devotee of Lord Ganpati, he had a lot of faith in Lord Ganapati. He used to start any work by remembering Ganaraya. Once a cowherd from such a village came to them and told Bhatji an amazing story. He said that my cow used to leave milk every day on a kevda rock at the foot of the hill for several days.

Hearing this, Bhatji reached the place with the cowherd and some people of the village while cleaning the place, Bhatji found the idol of Swayambhu. Bhatji immediately cleaned the place and established a small temple with the support of Jhavlas and worshiped the idol. Thus the Ganpatipule temple was established.

Temple Architecture

This temple has been constructed using a special stone called Red Agra. The view of the high-domed sanctum sanctorum and the carvings on the ceiling of the auditorium is breathtaking. There are five Tripuras on the south side of the temple. The illumination of the temple is mesmerizing when its lights are illuminated on Tripura Poornima. During the sunset in January and November, the sun's rays fall directly on the Swayambhu idol.

As the temple is right next to the sea shore, the waves of the sea touch the temple during the rainy season. Since the temple is located at the base of the hill, circumambulation of the temple means circumambulation of the entire mountain. The view of the sea from the temple circumambulation is very beautiful. The circumambulatory path of the temple is blocked by “Jambhya” rock. Sunset is the main tourist attraction due to the sea view of the temple.

Attractions Nearby

1. Ratnadurg Fort, Ratnagiri 

Ratnadurg Fort

Seeing the Ratnadurg fort of Shivaji Maharaj's era fills one with pride. There is a temple of Bhagwati Devi in that fort. The said temple is of Shiva style, sitting in that temple gives peace and satisfaction to the mind. From the side of the said temple, there is a wait to go to see the fortifications built around the Ratnadurg fort. The gate of Ratnadurg fort is open from 7 am to 7 pm.

2. Patit Pawan Temple

Patit Pawan Temple

Patit Pawan Temple is a place associated with Veer Savarkar. This is a place to showcase the social reforms carried out by Veer Savarkar. There is a small memorial of independent hero Savarkar at this place. Patit in Marathi means the lowest, humble, downtrodden person in society. Pawan means pure, awakened, and perfect. The temple derives its name from the reference to that which transforms the downtrodden into a pure form. Its aim is to make a place where untouchables or Dalits can worship, worship their God like everyone else. Vinayak Damodar Savarkar devoted a major part of his life to this. It is near the Tilak Memorial in Ratnagiri town.

Timings should be kept in mind while visiting this place as the timings are only from 10.30 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 5.30 PM. Tickets are Rs 10 for adults and Rs 5 for students.

3. Jaigad Fort

Jaigad Fort

Jaigad fort is located in the Ratnagiri district and is close to the pilgrimage site of Ganapatipule. The fort is about 55 meters above sea level. The total area of this fort is around 12 to 13 acres.

This fort was built in the seventeenth century. It is said that from this fort there is a panoramic view of the sea and the entire Konkan

4. Sri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi Mandir

Sri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi Mandir

This place is just 20 km from Ratnagiri in the Ratnagiri district, which was blessed with the residence of Swami Swaroopanand who advocated Soham Sadhana. I. is at a distance. Swamiji's Samadhi Temple is located at this place. Throughout his life, Swami Swaroopananda imparted the spiritual thoughts of Dnyaneshwari to the devotees. His amiable personality, yearning for the welfare of the common man, and his simplicity have made him a very large devotee family. His devotees established a trust called 'Swami Swaroopanand Seva Mandal' and started the work of spreading Swamiji's thoughts and work.

A Swayambhu Ganesha has also appeared from an amaranth tree on the temple premises. There are Vishveshwar and Someshwar temples. If you are looking for a place full of peace and natural beauty, then visit Pavas, the state-of-the-art Guru Swami Swarupananda's Ashram in Maharashtra.

5. Marleshwar Temple

Marleshwar Temple

Marleshwar Temple is the famous Shiva temple. There is also a white waterfall cascading down from the cliff beside the temple. This place is 60 km away from Ganpatipule.

Ganpatipule Temple Darshan Time

Lakhs of tourists gather at Ganpati Pule every year. Ganpatipule temple is a perfect place for Darshan and holidays. The time to visit Ganpati is from 5 am to 9 pm. 12 noon and 7 pm is the fixed time for Aarti, this is the time when Aarti takes place. After the afternoon aarti, khichdi prasad is also served between 12:30 and 2:00 p.m. On Sankashti Chaturthi, palkhi darshan is at 4 pm. For the devotees, the actual puja continues from 4 am to 11 am. As the sea is adjacent to the temple, both the temple and the sea can be enjoyed together.

How to Go Ganapatipule

By Air: 

Ganapatipule is located in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. We can use all three ways to visit this temple. Ratnagiri Airport is the nearest airport to reach by air

By Train :

If traveling by rail, Ratnagiri station is 50 km away from Ganpatipule. Train services are available to reach Ganpatipule from Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur stations.

By Road :

we can reach Ganpatipule by using bus or taxi. Bus services are also available to visit Ganpatipule There are many bus services available to reach Ganpatipule from Mumbai and Pune.