Friday, May 2, 2008

Ganapatiphule Mandir, Maharashtra, IN


Deities: Lord Ganesha
Location: Ganapatipule, Maharashtra
Built in: 16th century
Best time to visit: November to February
STD Code: 0091-2357

Ganapatipule is an ideal place to forget all your worries and smile.

The sun-kissed beach and lush green of Ganapatipule inevitably draws tourists back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400-year old temple which houses the Swayambhu Ganapati.

Sparkling blue waters, endless stretches of golden or silver sand, sun beams dancing through the swaying palms, waves playing with the sand dunes, a cool breeze whispering sweet nothing in your ear. This is the land of Ganpatipule, one of Maharashtra’s almost virgin beaches.

Set along the western coast of maharastra, is a small little village called Ganapatiphulethe Ganapatiphule beach is as natural and pristine as ever. Even today, the waters are blue and the sands, white.

It is flooded by thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Thus the village got its name Ganapatipule, Ganapati the lord of the “ganas” or army and “pule” which means sand dunes, Ganapatipule is one of the “Ashta Ganapatis” (eight Ganapatis).

The vast ‘Konkan’ stretch abounds with scenic greenery There are narrow mud-roads, the earth is red and the roofed houses with clean courtyards add a quaint touch to the panorama. The local vegetation includes fruit-bearing trees like mango, betel nut, banana, jackfruit, coconut etc.
India has got its name from the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha. This lovely beach is known for the Ganapatipule temple. The temple is located on the foothills of the green-carpeted Konkan hills. Those who visit this sacred Ganapatiphule temple make sure to do a ‘pradhikshina‘ around the Ganapatipule temple.

Legend:
It said that during the 16th Century AD, a villager, depressed with recurrent quarrels in his village, escaped to the Kerda jungles. On his way there, he came upon a naturally created Ganapati idol. Considering this as a good omen, he built a temple there. As the word spread, people gathered and gradually even settled there. They worshipped the idol, performed prayers and even made additions to the shrine. Hence, Ganapatipule became a famous Hindu pilgrimage site.

The local people of Ganapatipule believe that in an age when men were spiritual and miracles were a commonly visible fact, the scriptures talked of four Dwardatas (Welcoming Deities) to the subcontinent, where Ganapatipule is one of the Paschim Dwaar Devata (the Western Sentinel God).

Festival:
The Temple of Ganapatipule becomes the centre of grand activity for the five days celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi when villager’s and pilgrims join actively in a procession honoring Ganapati. A taller idol is placed in an ornate palanquin and carried on the shoulders of the devotees through the village accompanied by a pujari or priest and a drummer. The idol in the sanctum is placed in a way that also makes it visible. The Swayambhu Ganapati Temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage centres.

Other attraction in Ganapatipule:
The baw PalaceMalgundJaigarh fortPawasVelneshwar

How to reach:
by Air: Nearest airport is Ratnagiri 50 kms.
by Rail: Ratnagiri on the Konkan Railway is the nearest railhead and Kolhapur 144 kms. on the South Central Railway.
by Road: Mumbai-Ganpatipule 375 kms. via Mahad. Pune-Ganpatipule 331 kms. via Satara.Kolhapur-Ganpatipule 144 kms.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

Last but not least, if you want to visit above Holy Pilgrimage, please contact and visit our associate partner www.YatraKhoj.com and e-mail at yatrakhoj@yahoo.com.
Bookmark and Share

No comments: