• Hey Guys …..
  I have just been to Ganpatipule and would like to share my experience and the information I have gathered with all you people.
  I was in Ganpatipule for 3 days and 2 nights (24th June 2008 to 26th June 2008). During these days I stayed in “Hotel Abhishek Beach Resort”.
  I started my Journey from Mumbai on 23rd June 2008 evening at about 8:15 pm from Borivli (Gokul Hotel) by bus. The only Volvo service to Ganpatipule from Mumbai is provided by “Mukund Krupa Volvo”. You can get Non A/C buses also from Borivli East (Nancy Colony) And Croford Market.
  Mukund Krupa Buses will drop you till “NIVLI Village Petrol Pump” (38Km from Ganpatipule) as these buses goes to Ratnagiri. So they have arranged a small bus (Non A/C) for last 38 Km journey to Ganpatipule. This journey takes nearly 40-45 minutes to reach our last destination. You reach Ganpatipule by 7:45 am.
  
• Ganpatipule Temple
  Ganpatipule Beach
  Hotels:
  There are 4 main Resorts in Ganpatipule namely MTDC Resort, Hotel Land Mark, Hotel Abhishek Beach Resort and Hotel Shiv Sagar. Also there are many Small Low cost Lodges available everywhere in Ganpatipule.
  Hotel Abhishek Beach Resort:
  Our stay was in Hotel Abhishek Beach Resort. 20 Minutes walk (2-3 minutes drive) from Temple. Guys I tell you there is no other place in Ganpatipule from where you get such a wonderful sea view. All the rooms are sea facing and well furnished. Some of the rooms are under renovation right now. Both A/C and Non A/C rooms are available. By 2010 Hotel Management are planning to add a Swimming pool, Conference Hall, Gym, Restro Bar, Separate Restaurants for Veg and Non-Veg Food.
  Contact Details: Ph. : 02357-264264
  Tariffs(As on June 27, 2008):
  Rs. 1500 per day for A/C Room
  ***
  Hotel Land Mark:
  The other Hotel available is Land Mark. It is just 5 minutes away from Temple. This is the only Hotel in Ganpatipule with Swimming pool available. It is also the costliest hotel in Ganpatipule. In this hotel also the rooms are sea facing, but you will not get the view as good as Hotel Abhishek as trees and one small mountain (the one which is behind the Temple) is coming in between the view.
  Contact Details: Ph.: 02357-235284/85
  Tariffs (As on June 27, 2008)
  Room Type Tariff
  Deluxe VIP Cottage 3500
  Deluxe Executive Cottage 3200
  Deluxe AC Room 2000
  Deluxe Non-AC Room 1500
  Extra Person (3-12) 500/800
  Dormitory (8) 3500
  (Inclusive of Bed tea, Break Fast & TAX)
  (Tariffs are for all 12 months, no discount in off Season)
• ***
  MTDC Resort, Ganpatipule:

The MTDC Resort is just 2 minutes away from Temple. It is with the sea shore, comparatively at lower level than Hotel Abhishek and Land Mark. All the rooms are Sea facing. They have separate cottages also available for family stay. It is little bit expensive. This hotel has got good campus. Many Honeymoon couples prefer this hotel for stay.
Contact Details: Ph. 02357-235248/235061/235062
Fax: 02357-235328
Tariffs (16th June 2008 to 30th September 2008):
Room Type Tariff Extra Guest
Sea view Cottage AC 2100 150
Deluxe Room AC (Super) 1300 150
Deluxe Room AC 1200 150
Deluxe Room Non AC 1000 150
Konkani House AC 1200 150
Konkani House AC 1000 150
(Check out Time 9.00 am)
***
Hotel Shiv Sagar:
The last one is “Hotel Shiv Sagar”. This hotel is nearly 35 minutes walking (5 min Drive) from temple. This hotel is huge one. Looks like big Haveli. This is on the high Hill. You will get nice view of sea from each room. They have got 2 methods of payment plans. E.P.=> European Plan(Includes only stay) & M.A.P.=> Modified American Plan(Includes Stay with break fast, Lunch & Dinner).
Contact Details: Ph. : 02357-235726
Tariffs (As on 26th Jun 2008):
Room Type E.P. M.A.P.
Non AC room 1500 1800
Non AC Suit 2000 2300
AC room 1800 2100
AC Suit 2500 2800
10% L.T. On Rack Rate
Extra Person @ 350 on E.P. and @ 500 on MAP
Child Without Bed @ 100
Rate on per day basis
Packages for 2 nights and 3 days on MAP Bases
Room Type M.A.P
Non AC room 3400
Non AC Suit 4400
AC room 4000
AC Suit 5600
Extra Adult @ 1000 on MAP Packages
Child without Bed @ on Packages
[20% Discount on all packages in off season (June to September)]
***
Other than these 4 main hotels, many small Lodges and restaurants are available in Ganpatipule.
What You Will See In and Around Ganpatipule?
Other than a Temple and a Beach there are many places in and around Ganpatipule.
Prachin Konkan (Ancient Konkan):
This is a very nice approach to show our old culture basically old customs from konkan area. This set up shows the houses, Costumes, way of living of people like carpenter, farmer, barber, blacksmith etc. in ancient konkan. The idea behind this setup is by Mr. Sardesai aided by Government.
Entry Fee Rs. 15. Guide gives you whole information.
House of Marathi Poet Krushnaji Keshav Damle (Aka Keshavsut): HOUSE OF POET “KESHAVSUT”
This is the preserved house of great Marathi Poet Keshavsut in the village Malgund (2 Kms from Ganpatipule). You can see some utensils of 19th century preserved in this house. Also birth room of Poet Keshavsut. Behind this house you will find a gallery giving information of all great Marathi Poets and a small library with reading hall.
No Entry Fee.
Bhatye Beach: BHATYE BEACH (BLACK SAND)
You can visit Bhatye beach to see its BLACK SAND. It is just outside Ratnagiri city on the way to Pawas. Unfortunately this beach is not at all maintained. You will find all Garbage like plastic bags etc. sprayed all over the beach. In short this Beach is Dirty.
Thebaw Palace: THEBAW PALACE
Thebaw (Pronounce: Theeba) was the King of Brahmdesh (Myanmar). After getting defeated by British, they brought him in Ratnagiri and kept in jugglery. The palace was constructed by British for King Thebaw to keep him in jugglery. There is a Sculpture Museum in this palace. Nearly 80% of the palace is empty. Renovation is taking place in palace’s garden.
Entry fee: Rs. 3.
No guide available.
Ratnadurga:
RATNADURGA
This is the fort on sea shore. Fort has Bhagvati Temple. Wonderful view of Bhagvati Port from the Fort. Government has reconstructed the walls of fort to preserve it.
Ratnagiri Aquarium: WHALE SKULL IN RATNAGIRI AQUARIUM
This is a small aquarium in Ratnagiri city. Main attraction of it is Huge Skull of Whale fish. Also number of specimens and different kinds of attractive fish and turtles in tanks.
(Unfortunately Whale Skull is spoiled by people visiting aquarium by writing their names on it.)
Entry Fee: Rs. 5
Lokmanya Tilak Birth Place: LOKMANYA TILAK BIRTH PLACE
This is the house of Lokmanya Tilak where he spent first 10 years of his life. It is in Ratnagiri City. You will find here some rare photographs and his “Puneri Pagdi”.
No Entry Fee.
Swami Swarupanand Temple (Pawas):
This is very famous temple of “Swami swarupanand & God Vitthal Rakhumai”.
Aarti Timings: 10.00 am, 12.00 Noon, 7:40pm
You get Khichdi Prasad after Aarti.
(One Good shop of various specialties of Konkan like Kokam, cashew nuts, mango pulp, Ambawadi etc. in front of this temple)
Patit Pawan Mandir: PATIT PAWAN TEMPLE
This is the famous temple in Ratnagiri city.
How to view all these places?
You can get autos from Ganpatipule. But they are little expensive. They charge you nearly Rs.750 for Ratnagiri area sight seeing and Rs. 350 for Ganpatipule area sight seeing.(Rates may differ according to deals, Seasons etc.)
The other Best way to roam these places is by a car (TATA Winger). It is a 13+1 seater car owned by Mr. Salvi. They charge you only Rs.225 per person for all the above places in their 1 day trip. (Charges may vary by time and season)
Contact Details: Sahajyog Tours and Travels
Mr. Santosh Salvi. Mob: 9422636913. & Mr. Sandeep Salvi. Mob:9422429354.

TATA WINGER
Other Tourist Places in Ratnagiri District:
Caves:
Marleshwar Caves
Panhalekaji caves, Nante village on the road joining Dapoli & Dabhol
Nageshwar Caves, Chorvane, Khed

Temples:
Parshuram Temple, 12Kms from Chiplun
Sharda devi Temple, Turambav, Chiplun
Karanjeshwari Temple, Chiplun
Vindhyavasini Temple, Ravtale, Chiplun
Ramvardayini Temple, Majaredadar, Chiplun
Mallikarjun Temple, Shirambe, chiplun
Vyadeshwar Temple, Guhagar
Keshavraj Temple, Aasood, Dapoli
Vyaghreshwar temple, Aasood, Dapoli
Durgadevi Temple, Murud, Dapoli
Ganpati Temple, aanjarla, Dapoli
Mahalaxmi Temple, Kelshi, Dapoli
Yakub baba Durga, Kelshi, Dapoli (Mosque)
Kolthare, Dapoli => Famous as “Village of Temples” and for its lovely beach
Durgadevi Temple, Guhagar
Ganesh Temple, Urfata, Guhagar
Dashbhuj LaxmiGanesh Temple, Hedvi, Guhagar
Velneshwar Temple, 18Kms from Guhagar
Ganpati Temple, Songaon, Khed
Beaches:
Tavsal Beach, Tavsal, 35Kms from Guhagar
Aanjarle Beach, Aanjarle, Dapoli
Hedvi Beach, Hedvi, Guhagar
Guhagar Beach, Guhagar
Sand Mountain in Kelshi,Dapoli
Ladghar-Burondi Beach, Dapoli (Famous for Bullock Cart Racing)
Velneshwar Beach, Velneshwar, Guhagar
Ports:
Dabhol Port, Dabhol (Very old Port mentioned in Tomeli’s Map)
Harnai Port, Dapoli
Forts:
Vasota aka Vyaghragad, Chiplun
Bhairavgad
Jaigad, Guhagar
Rasalgad, Khed
Mahipatgad, Khed
Sumargad, Khed
Gopalgad, Guhagar
Suvarndurga, Dapoli
Waterfalls:
Savatsada Waterfall, Parshuram Ghat, Chiplun (Rainy Season)
Veer-Devpat Waterfall, Chiplun (12 months)
Songaon Waterfall, Khed (12 months)
[Khed, Dapoli, Guhagar,Chiplun are the Talukas (Sub Division of District) of Ratnagiri District]

Summery:
Best Time to Visit Ganpatipule:
October to May
How To Reach Ganpatipule?
By Bus:
From Mumbai:
Mukund Krupa VOLVO: Borivli (Gokul Hotel) – Andheri – Dadar- Chembur – Panvel – Nivli – Ganpatipule
Mukund Krupa Non A/C: Borivli (Gokul Hotel)– Thane– Panvel – Nivli – Ganpatipule
Prashant Travels Non A/C : Borivli (Nancy Colony) – (Route Unknown) – Ganpatipule
By Train:
Nearest Railway station: Ratnagiri (On Konkan Railway)
Buses available from Ratnagiri City to Ganpatipule
Hotels in Ganpatipule:
MTDC Resort
Hotel Land Mark
Hotel Abhishek Beach Resort
Hotel Shiv Sagar
Also many Small Lodges
Bank ATMs:
Bank of India ATM
Bank of Maharashtra ATM (VISA ATM) (Inside Ganpati Temple)
Food:
All kind of food is available like Chinese, Continental, Punjabi etc.
Should taste specialty of Konkani food like Solkadhi, Fish Curry etc.