RATNAGIRI - A HIDDEN GEM ON THE KONKAN COAST

Ratnagiri Overview

Surrounded by hills of Sahyadri ranges on one side and beautiful beaches on the other Ratnagiri is one of the best coastal towns of India. The word “Ratnagiri” means the Mountain Of Jewels in Marathi. Ratnagiri was once the administrative capital of Bijapur rulers. Apart from captivating beaches, forts, delicious food & temples, the city is also blessed with a wide range of flora & fauna. Ratnagiri comprises of 8 talukas including Mandangad, Khed, Dapoli, Guhagar, Chiplun, Sangmeshwar, Lanja & Rajapur. Ratnagiri  is more accessible due to the Bombay-Goa Highway as well as the Konkan Railway.

History and Social Significance

The earliest references to Ratnagiri are found in the ancient epic Mahabharata. According to the stories of Mahabharata, the Pandavas had stayed in Ratnagiri for some time during the thirteenth year of their exile. They had befriended Veeravrat Ray who was the king of this region at that time. The King of Ratnagiri had later fought on their side during the epic war at Kurukshetra. Ratnagiri is also the birth place of the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak as well as the workplace of Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who had been captured in Ratnagiri by the British government. In the Middle Ages, many European travelers and religious preachers visited the coast of Konkan. Apart from this, King Thiba of Bramhadesh (Burma or Myanmar) was imprisoned in the Ratnagiri district by the then British government.

Why You Must Visit Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri is a big draw for tourists who come here to enjoy the sand & surf while striking base here because of its many hotels to explore the other interesting tourist destinations of the Konkan region. Ratnagiri is a very beautiful city full of Art & Maharashtrian Culture. If you are in Ratnagiri, don’t forget to buy Alphonso Mango from here. There are many beaches & temples to visit & enjoy freely holiday with your family & friends. The possible tourist activities include inland and sea water ways, sailing, boating, water sports like water scooter, canoeing, fishing, camping, marinas, coastal resorts and marine parks.

Some Of The Major Tourist Attractions In Ratnagiri:

Arrey Warrey Beach

Arrey Warrey Beach, one of the famous - untouched beaches from Konkan region is only 15 kms away from Ratnagiri towards Ganapatipule via Nevare village. This is a very long beach having length of 3 kms and is a perfect spot for a one day outing. A beautiful and dense plantation of Suru protects the villages here from the cyclone.

Arrey Warrey Beach

---

Tilak Ali Museum

Tilak Ali Museum, the ancestral house of Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak, is a fine example of native Konkani architecture. Lokamanya Balgangadhar Tilak, a prominent freedom fighter of India, was born in Ratnagiri town. Tilak Ali Museum depicts the life of Tilak and his struggle for Indian Independence through paintings and pictures. This museum is maintained by the Archeological Department of India.

Tilak Ali Museum

---

Ratnadurg Fort

Surrounded by Arabian sea on three sides, the massive Ratnadurga Fort presents a splendid look. A massive structure in the shape of a horseshoe, with a length of 1300 meters & a width of 1000 meters, Ratnadurg Fort was once a strong hold of the Maratha Empire. Now a collapsed structure, lying across two hills, Ratnadurg Fort offers the dazzling view of the sun going down the sea and the sweet sound of the pounding of the waves against the rocks. Another attraction is the marvelous lighthouse situated in the bastions of the fort.

Ratnadurga Fort

---

Shri Devi Bhagwati Mandir

Shri Devi Bhagwati Mandir is located inside the massive Ratnadurg Fort. Bhagavati Temple is one among the ancient temples in the state of Maharashtra. Situated on the shores of the Arabian sea, the temple architecture is marvelous. Other deities like 'Veer Vignesh' and 'Ashtadashbhuj' Ganapati are unique for their sculptural works. Navarathri festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm and vigour and big yatras are conducted as a part of the festival.

Shri Devi Bhagwati Mandir

---

Thiba Palace/Thibaw Point

Thibaw Point is the place where the lovely mansion, The Thiba Palace is located. Built in the year 1910, the palace is famed as the exile shelter of the king and the queen of Burma (Myanmar). It also is a thriving spot of tourists, and it gives a panoramic view of the entire city. People gather here in large groups to see the stunning view of the sunset. The Thibaw Point, nestled in the lap of majestic Arabian Sea, presents a picturesque view of a dense village. Situated at the hem of a hill, this point is a fast emerging tourist destination in Ratnagiri.

Thiba Palace/Thibaw Point

---

Bhatye Beach

Bhatye is the biggest town in Konkan and one of the immediate suburbs of Ratnagiri town. A wonderful beach in the background of the jagged Sahyadri mountain ranges provides a panoramic view of the surroundings areas. Bhatye beach gives exciting opportunities for water sports. The unpolluted air, clear sky, the vast expansion of bluish water, a quiet evening, the lovely Bhatye beach is a perfect place to admire the romantic sunset.

Bhatye Beach

---

Ganapatipule Temple

A 400-year-old Ganesha temple, the holy place (Swayambhu Ganpati Temple) is built of pule which is nothing but white sand and is believed to be a self-created monolith of Lord Ganesha, allegedly discovered 1600 years ago. The Ganesh Temple at Ganapatipule is very ancient, right from the time of Peshwas. Ganpatipule is one of the "Ashta Dwar Devatas" (Eight Welcoming Dieties) of the subcontinent and is known as Western's Sentinel God. Ganapatipule derived its name from “Ganapati" or the Lord of "Ganas"(army) and Pule' which means sand dune. The Ganapatipule Beach is clean with fine silvery white sand.

Ganapatipule Temple

---

Jaigad Fort

Located 18 kms from Ganpatipule in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, the Jaigad fort is situated on a cliff that overlooks the Arabian sea. The Fort of Victory, Jaigad, spreads over an area of 13 acres and consists of a Lord Ganesh Temple, wells to store water and the palace of Kanhoji Angre. Besides the fort, the port of Jaigad is older than the fort and used to be considered as one of the chief ports in Western Coast of India. On the top of these bastions government rest house is being constructed. In the premises of the Jaigad Fort there is a Lord Ganeshji's Temple, Light house and an old splintered mansion of care takers of the fort.

Jaigad Fort

---

Mandvi Beach

A booming hot spot of tourists, Mandvi Beach is the most crowded beach in the Ratnagiri city. Mandvi beach offers lustrous black sand and so it is renowned as the 'Black Sea'. In comparison with other beaches, Mandvi beach appears little filthy because of the black sand; yet this is the most sought after picnic spot in Ratnagiri.

Mandvi Beach

---

Mirkarwada Beach/Jetty

Mirkarwada Beach is at a distance of 2.6 km from Ratnagiri bus stop. This place is no less than a paradise for fish traders as it is a major trading port in Maharashtra. It is also a popular tourist spot. Mirkarwada is an export hub of fishes. 9 out of 10 people here are engaged in fisheries. Maximum fishing boats and trawlers park themselves here. The fishing port here is currently under construction. It is going to be the 2nd largest port in Maharashtra after Mumbai.

Mirkarwada Jetty

---

Marleshwar Temple

Marleshwar Temple is an ancient Shiva Temple & is located on the outskirts of Ratnagiri. It is situated on an isolated hill & is thoroughly surrounded by a dense network of evergreen forest. Marleshwar temple provides a beautiful view of the nearby mountains & is surrounded by numerous waterfalls. However, one should visit this place preferably in the monsoon season as most of the waterfalls are dried up during other seasons.

Marleshwar Temple

---

Guhagar Beach

Guhagar Beach is situated at a distance of 8kms from Ratnagiri & is one of the most peaceful beaches in the state of Maharashtra. The beach is geographically blessed with Sahyadri mountain range on its east & Arabian Sea on its west. This beach remains surrounded by local fishermen, boat owners & adventure sports operators & is one of the most captivating places in Ratnagiri.

Guhagar Beach

---

 

Konkan Kulture

Don’t Just Visit, Experience It

 

Bio: KONKAN KULTURE is a Destination Marketing Agency for the Konkan region of Maharashtra. We focus on promoting Konkan Tourism & other businesses in Konkan, to make it more attractive to the tourists and other potential travellers, boosting the number of visitors and local businesses & providing employment to the locals. It is also about increasing awareness of the destination's rich culture and heritage to raise demand and improve its reputation.

Website: blog.konkankulture.com

Instagram: konkan_kulture

Have suggestions or would like to get in touch with us? Write to us at: konkankulture@gmail.com or drop your comments below