Along the shoreline of Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule – another small town by the sea in Konkan. Its name linked with a story or rather a folklore that Lord Ganapati moved from a place called Gule to this Pule to make it Ganapatipule. The famous, ancient temple of Ganapati is also located by the long beach. Wherever you go in Ganapatipule the beach goes by your side.

This is how the land meets the sea

After all the adventurous loading and unloading of our vehicle onto the ferry vessel, (Read my experience in Guhagar.) we reached Ganpatipule soon. It was time for the sunset. We decided to pay a visit to the famous temple before we head to our hotel.

Riding though this road is a real pleasure

The hub of the town is the temple by the beach. Now the beach here is no so quiet as I imagined. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the sun gliding down the horizon. The beach resembled the Chowpatty – a very common public beach.

Waiting to watch the sunset on the beach by the temple

There were stalls for watersport and other beach activities. There were ‘tongas’, camels and horses, large umbrellas for those who are more interested in beach then venturing into the sea. The stalls were selling all sorts of hats and other items similar to any beach destination.

Stalls for souvenirs and beach activities

Focusing back to the temple. The large ‘Mushakraj’ (mouse, the vehicle of Lord Ganesha) was guarding the main entrance. It was also adorned with huge modaks (Ganesha’s favourite) around. While two large elephants with raised trunks were standing in a welcoming pose near the gate. No, no, they were not the real ones 🙂 .

The Elephants and the Musakraj

The most interesting part was to watch devotees whispering their wishes in the ear of Musakraj. In hope to get the message conveyed to the Lord with a hope to have them fulfilled. Walking the long ‘pradakshina marga’ within the temple we were late. The sun was already down behind the horizon.

O Musakraj please convey my message to the Lord

Then heading towards our hotel somewhere in areware road. You must be thinking what is this areware all about? Even I was thinking the same. I came to know later that this road is named after the adjoining beach where the shoreline takes multiple bends to become ‘Areware’.

The long stretch of coast

We had an extraordinary view from our room and the balcony. The hotel built on a large area on a small hill just beside the road by the sea. So the view from the room and the balcony is the vast expanse of the blue sea.

View from our balcony

The early morning view was extraordinary. The haze of the mist gradually lifting to reveal the otherwise blurry horizon. Speed boats for dolphin rides were already in the sea. It seemed immensely intriguing. Though we did not join the fun. Rocking over the waves and spotting dolphins are real fun, I experienced before on my trip to Karde. (Read about my trip to Karde.) We have to start early for our next destination.

Boats on dolphin ride

We did click the beautiful beach by the road. Countless clicks never seemed to be enough for the endless coconut fringed coastline. The road by the sea offered enthralling landscapes and seascapes. Sometimes open sea and at times backwaters creeks through the mangrove forest. Such was the view of the seaward side. While the landward side was different with mango grove and beautiful homes with bright tulsi Vrindavan. So stopping and clicking we moved on to our next destination.

Read My Experience in Ratnagiri, my next destination.

Bridge on backwater

The sun preparing to take the plunge

Enthralling views of the sea

Ratnagiri at a glance, with travel information.