Relaxing trip to Ganeshgule, Ratnagiri

Tucked away in the serene landscapes of the Ratnagiri district, Ganeshgule is a quaint village located close to the well-known spiritual destination of Pawas. It’s the perfect place to escape the chaos of city life and reconnect with nature in its purest form.

The highlight of this peaceful village is the Ganeshgule Beach, a true delight for nature lovers and solitude seekers. Known for its mesmerizing sunset views, the beach stretches across 1.5 km, offering uninterrupted beauty and calmness. Surrounded by hills on both sides, the setting creates a secluded, almost untouched coastal experience. What makes Ganeshgule truly special is its unique landscape - a mix of rocky patches, soft white sand, and the clear emerald waters of the Arabian Sea. The beach remains relatively unexplored and less crowded, making it an ideal destination for those who prefer tranquility over tourist buzz.

Although slightly off the usual travel routes, the journey to Ganeshgule is absolutely worth it. It rewards you with a peaceful escape, stunning natural views, and a sense of calm that stays with you long after you leave. 

Ganeshgule Village (old photo taken during monsoon)

We visited Ganeshgule from Ganpatipule, enjoying a short and scenic coastal drive. If you’re planning a trip from Pune, here’s a convenient and commonly followed route to reach this hidden gem:

How to reach Ganeshgule?

Amba Ghat Route

Pune - Karad - Take right at Narayanwadi after McDonald's and drive towards Kokrud village - Reach Malkapur follow Amba ghat route - Sakharpa Town - Pawas - Ganeshgule

Varandha Ghat route via Chiplun 

Pune - Bhor - Varandha Ghat - Mahad - drive to Khed (skip Poladpur via Kashedi Ghat) - Chiplun - Sangameshwar - Ratnagiri - Pawas -  Ganeshgule

Tamhini Ghat Route via Chiplun

Pune - Paud - Mangaon - Mahad - drive to Khed (skip Poladpur via Kashedi Ghat) - Chiplun - Sangameshwar - Ratnagiri - Pawas -  Ganeshgule

Kumbharli Ghat route via Patan and Chiplun

Pune - Satara - Umbraj - follow Umbraj Patan road - Patan - Kumbharli Ghat - Kherdi - Chiplun - Sangameshwar - Ratnagiri - Pawas -  Ganeshgule

We chose the Kumbharli Ghat route, as we wanted to include visits to Dervan and Ganpatipule along the way. This route turned out to be a great decision, offering a beautiful mix of ghats, greenery, and peaceful surroundings. We started our journey early in the morning at 5:30 AM, ensuring a relaxed and traffic-free drive. By around 10:00 AM, we reached the ghat section, and to our surprise, there was almost no traffic at all, making the drive smooth and enjoyable. 

The road conditions were largely good, with just a few rough patches here and there, but nothing too difficult to manage. The winding roads through the Sahyadris, combined with fresh morning air, made this stretch particularly memorable. Continuing our journey at a comfortable pace, we finally reached Ganpatipule around 2:00 PM, where we decided to halt and stay. The long drive, scenic views, and peaceful route made the journey as enjoyable as the destination itself. 

The next day, after seeking blessings at the serene Swami Swaroopanand Math in Pawas, we continued our journey and reached Rama Niwas around 2:00 PM. As soon as we stepped into the property, we were instantly welcomed by a sense of calmness and tranquility, a perfect retreat after a day of travel.

The hosts were warm and friendly, ensuring that we felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout our stay. The room was spotless, neat, and thoughtfully maintained, equipped with all the essentials needed for a relaxing and comfortable experience.

The property has a simple and cozy setup:

1. There are only two guest rooms, located on the first floor

2. The owner resides on the ground floor, making assistance easily available

However, one important thing to note, access to the rooms is via an iron staircase, which can be a bit challenging to climb. So, if you are traveling with senior citizens or anyone with mobility concerns, this might not be the most convenient option. Overall, Rama Niwas offers a peaceful homestay surrounded by nature, ideal for travelers looking for a quiet and homely stay experience near Ganeshgule.

What truly made our stay at Rama Niwas unforgettable was the exclusive private beach access. It honestly felt like having our own secluded slice of paradise, far away from the crowds and noise of typical tourist spots. The peaceful surroundings, untouched shoreline, and soothing sound of waves made every moment feel special and refreshing. We spent quality time simply soaking in the beauty, walking along the quiet beach, relaxing, and enjoying the calmness that’s so rare to find nowadays. If you’re someone looking for a serene beach retreat near Ratnagiri, this place is absolutely worth considering.

While the homestay doesn’t provide meals, there’s a lovely arrangement right next door. A local aunty offers authentic homemade Konkani food, and this turned out to be another highlight of our trip! 

We ordered Kala Watana Usal, Rice Bhakri, Phanas (Jackfruit) Bhaji and obviously Modak. The food was absolutely delicious and simple, authentic, and full of flavor, giving us a true taste of local cuisine.

We were so tired and hungry after the journey that we completely forgot to click photos 😛 but sometimes, the best experiences are the ones you just live in the moment! 

One of the most popular choices is Oceano Pearl, a property managed by the hospitality firm O’Nest, which offers the comfort and amenities of a hotel stay. Unfortunately, during our visit, we couldn’t secure a booking as the entire property was reserved for a private event on those dates.

Another great option nearby is Megha Dhade’s “Villa Mangoes and Seashells”, located just a short walk from Rama Niwas. This place allows you to experience a stay in a traditional Konkani-style home, giving you an authentic coastal living experience.

However, if you are looking for a stay that is peaceful, comfortable, and budget-friendly, then Rama Niwas stands out as the best choice. With its simple setup, warm hospitality, and private beach access, it offers excellent value for money especially for travelers who prioritize serenity over luxury.

Ganeshgule Beach (Photo taken from Google)

After a relaxing break of about two hours, we stepped out in the evening and made our way to the Ganeshgule Beach and what a sight it was! The beach looked absolutely breathtaking, untouched and tranquil. We spent time walking leisurely along the shoreline, enjoying the soft sand under our feet and the cool, gentle breeze brushing through our hair. 

Even though it was a Saturday evening, there was hardly anyone around just us and the vast stretch of sea. That rare feeling of having an entire beach to ourselves made the experience even more magical. It was incredibly peaceful and soulful, almost as if time had slowed down, allowing us to truly live in the moment.

Ganeshgule Beach is a perfect destination for those seeking peace and solitude. It’s ideal for relaxing walks, quiet reflection, swimming, or simply soaking up the natural beauty. Unlike commercial beaches, there are no water sports available here (at least during our visit), which actually adds to its untouched charm. And then came the highlight - the sunset. The golden hour here casts an almost magical glow, like a Midas touch turning everything into shades of gold. The sky, the sea, and the sand blend into a stunning visual treat that feels almost divine. 

The beach is an isolated beach that gives a divine experience with a quiet and peaceful environment.

Sunset at Ganeshgule Beach

The next morning, we started our day early and left the homestay around 8:00 AM to visit the famous Ganeshgule Temple, located just 1.5 km from the beach. Perched on a small hill overlooking the coastline, the temple offers a calm and scenic setting that perfectly complements its spiritual aura.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is known for its Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol, which adds to its divine significance. One unique feature here is that the trunk of Lord Ganesha is turned towards the west, which is considered rare and auspicious.

Adding to its historical charm, the temple surroundings also houses an ancient well believed to date back to the Pandava era, making it not just a place of worship but also of cultural and historical importance. Surrounded by nature and away from the crowds, Ganeshgule Temple offers a peaceful and spiritually uplifting experience, making it a must-visit when you are in this beautiful coastal region. 

Ganeshgule Temple Arch

Ganesh Temple, Ganeshgule

Undir mama (Mouse)

Lord Ganesh, Ganeshgule

Information Board in Temple

You are treated to a picturesque view of the surrounding village, nestled amidst lush greenery and natural beauty. The peaceful landscape, with traditional homes, swaying trees, and the distant glimpse of the coastline, creates a truly scenic and calming atmosphere. Standing there, you can simply pause and admire how beautifully nature and village life coexist, offering a refreshing escape from the busy city world.

Hill seen from Ganesh Temple

After visiting the Ganeshgule Temple, we continued to another beautiful and lesser-known spot, the Laxmi Narayan Temple in Ganeshgule. I had heard about this temple from a friend long ago and had always wanted to visit it, so this stop was quite special for me.

As we arrived, the temple instantly impressed us with its old-world charm and peaceful surroundings. Surrounded by lush mango trees, the temple blends perfectly with nature, creating a calm and soothing atmosphere. The temple structure is primarily made of wood, showcasing the essence of traditional Konkani architecture. Inside, the intricate wooden carvings and beautifully crafted pillars are truly eye-catching, reflecting the craftsmanship of a bygone era. The simplicity and elegance of the design give the temple a warm and authentic coastal feel. The place is incredibly quiet and serene, making it ideal for spending a few moments in peace and reflection.

Just beside this temple, there is also a stone-built Shiva Temple, adding to the spiritual charm of the location. The contrast between the wooden Laxmi Narayan Temple and the stone Shiva shrine makes the visit even more unique.

Why Visit This Place?

• Experience authentic Konkani temple architecture
• Peaceful surroundings with mango orchards
• Intricate wooden carvings and heritage feel
• A quiet spot away from tourist crowds

Laxmi Narayan Temple, Ganeshgule

Garud (Eagle)

Traditional Tulashi Vrundavan

Laxmi Narayan

Deepmal

For breakfast, we decided to stop at Hotel Kshanbhar Vishranti, located near Kasheli Phata. This small, humble eatery sits right beside the backwaters of the Muchkundi River, offering a beautiful, breezy, and scenic setting perfect for a peaceful morning break. The place may be simple, but it truly captures the essence of local village charm. Known for its home-style food, the menu is basic yet satisfying. We tried a variety of dishes including Cut Wada, Vada Pav, Poha, and Misal, and every item was fresh, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The combination of tasty food, cool breeze, and quiet surroundings made the experience even more enjoyable. This small roadside eatery may not be fancy, but it’s definitely a hidden gem for travelers, offering great taste and a refreshing pause during your journey.

After a delightful breakfast, we set out to explore Devghali Beach, located in the quiet village of Kasheli, about 25 km from Ganeshgule. The journey took us roughly an hour, winding through scenic Konkan roads and peaceful village landscapes.

Devghali Beach is truly a hidden treasure, still untouched by heavy tourist crowds. While recent social media posts have started drawing more visitors (including us!), the place continues to retain its clean, raw, and scenic beauty. Kasheli itself remains a relatively unexplored village in the Ratnagiri district, adding to the charm of discovering something off the beaten path. The beach is especially famous for its stunning sunset views. If you’re planning a visit, try to spend the evening here, you can witness a spectacular sunset from the nearby hilltop, offering panoramic views that are simply unforgettable.

Travel Tips:

1. Swimming is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns.
2. Entry is restricted during monsoon season.
3. The terrain and surroundings are relatively untouched, so plan accordingly.

The beauty of Devghali Beach is something that words can hardly capture, it’s one of those places that you have to experience and feel for yourself. A perfect escape for anyone seeking peace, natural beauty, and a break from crowded tourist spots.

Devghali beach, Kasheli

Sea view from Devghali Beach

After exploring the hidden beauty of Devghali Beach, we returned to our stay around 1:00 PM. Following a quick and satisfying lunch, we checked out and continued our journey towards our next destination - Vijaydurg Fort.

With renewed energy, we set off for this historic marvel, excited to experience yet another blend of Konkan’s natural beauty and rich history.

Please check the blog for Vijaydurg Fort -https://bhaktitakalkar.blogspot.com/2024/03/quick-trip-to-vijaydurg-fort.html

Useful Info - 

Dinner at Rama Niwas, veg thali at 200 Rs. per person

Stay at Rama Niwas - 2500 Rs per day for AC room with wifi

Useful Contacts - 

Rama Niwas, Ganeshgule - 9405069665

Aunty at Rama Niwas for food - 9673249735

Hotel Kshanbhar Vishranti, Kasheli - 9403838725

O'NEST Oceano Pearl - 8378957789 

Quick Trip to Vijaydurg Fort - A Simple Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

Vijaydurg fort is located in Devgad Taluka, of district Sindhudurg, Konkan region of Maharashtra. It is 350Km away from Pune. 

It is the oldest fort on the Sindhudurg coast, was constructed during the regime of Raja Bhoja II of the Shilahar dynasty (construction period 1193-1205) and restructured by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

It is the largest fort on the coast and stands mighty due to its fine architecture.

How to reach? 

Nearest route to follow is via Anuskura Ghat. 

Pune - Satara - Karad - Take Right at Narayanwadi for Malkapur - Anuskura Ghat - Rajapur - Vijaydurg

We went to Ganeshgule, Pawas first and then Vijaydurg so chose Kumbharli ghat route.

Vijaydurg town and port view from the fort

Earlier, the fort encompassed an area of 5 acres and was surrounded by sea on all four sides. 

Over the years the eastern trench was reclaimed and a road constructed thereon. Presently the area of fort is about 17 acres and is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides. Shivaji Maharaj extended the area of the fort by constructing three walls on the eastern side and he also constructed 20 bastions making the fort formidable.

Hanuman Temple at the fort

Indian flag

Vijaydurg Fort was called the "Eastern Gibraltar", as it was virtually impregnable. Its architecture is impressive and unique, designed to withstand attacks from enemy forces. Its locational advantages include the 40 km long Vaghotan/Kharepatan creek. Large vessels cannot enter the shallow water of this creek. Maratha warships could be anchored in this creek and yet remain invisible from the sea. It is a protected monument. and stood testimony to the naval prowess of the Marathas.

It is believed that the region around the banks of the Vaghotan River was a dock, used by the Marathas for building and repairing their ships. The port adjacent to the fort is a natural port and is still used by local fishermen.

A few years back, Oceanographic experts have discovered a submerged wall of length 100 meters east of the fort. This under-sea wall is 3 meters high, 7 meters wide and 122 meters long. The wall is composed of Laterite rock and has a depth of 8-10 meter under the sea. So when enemy ships tried to attack the fort, they collided with this underwater wall and shattered into pieces! Portuguese had lost their 2 ships in an attempt to capture Vijaydurg fort.

We visited the fort on 11th March 2024. As it was our sudden plan to visit the fort during Ganeshgule trip so we did not get much time to explore accommodation options at Vijaydurg. We booked a room at Hotel Darya (earlier name was Hotel Vijaydurg Palace), its a resto bar and we reached the place around 8pm. Honestly speaking we did not like the place and surrounding after reaching there; we felt that it was not a good place for a family to stay even for a night. But as we were not having any option as we were so tired and could not think to travel again so decided to stay as leave the place as early as possible in the morning.  

But a special thanks to Hotel owner Vivek, he understood our feelings and made us little comfortable, he interacted so nicely with us. He stays there in the same building at the top floor and told us to call him in case required.

Sunrise seen from the fort

We started exploring fort around 7am, there is no any time restriction to visit the fort. One can visit the fort anytime after sunrise and before the sunset, it is because there is no light arrangement in the fort. 

As soon as you enter you can see Hanuman temple and fluttering Indian flag at high. 

Way to main entrance 

The main entrance of the fort faces the north, and its structured like Gomukh (cow face) as you can see it once you reach near to it.  This made it difficult for enemy to find out fort entrance from long distance.   You can see cannon fireballs and some broken cannons after entering into fort area. 

Main Entrance

Jibi Gate 

Fort wall

Information board at the fort

Most of the fort walls and bastions are still intact.

Baston at the fort

Making memories with my little one

Out of the original imposing structure, some of the structures still remain including the storage area for food grains, prison, a huge water tank, and cannon. 

Grain storage

Jakhanichi Tof (Cannon)

For the supply of water there were several wells and large tanks.

Well (water storage) 

The Vijaydurg fort is considered the birthplace of helium. In the 19th century, a British scientist Sir Joseph Norman Lockyer discovered the element while observing a total solar eclipse from the fort.

Board about Helium birth

Vaghotan Creek

Nice place to spend sometime

There is a tunnel which is partially damaged now. The strong triple line of fortifications had 27 bastions, some of them two-storied. Within the citadel there were many buildings and storehouses, now all in ruins except a structure called Rest House. 

Fort wall stands strong

Most interesting fact about the fort is the underground escape way(hidden gate). There was also a 200 m long tunnel for evacuation during an emergency. Another end of this tunnel was in the Dhulap’s palatial house in the near village. Few caves like structures are also present inside the fort.

Way to hidden door

Chor Waat (hidden door)

We were back around 9.30am and pampered ourselves with lassi and ice cream at a small shop near Hotel Suruchi. 

2-3 hours are enough to explore the fort properly. Carry your own water bottle, sunglass, goggles , hat & sunscreens. There are few restaurants near the Vijaydurg fort area to have food & refreshments. 

Hotel Suruchi offers Konkani foods. 

I recommend this place to visit during the Konkan trip if you are interested in seeing costal line fort architecture. 

Useful Contacts - 

Hotel Darya (Hotel Vijaydurg Palace) - 9920986532

Hotel Suruchi - 9420789482