Major Tourist Places in Ratnagiri District:
Ganpatipule:
Located about 40 km from Ratnagiri, Ganpatipule is a famous pilgrimage place known for the temple of Lord Ganesh. It has a beautiful beach and good tourist facilities. Nearby is Malgund, the birthplace of the poet Keshavsut, where a memorial has been built in his honor.
Ambadwe – Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial:
Ambadwe is the ancestral village of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. It is 13 km from Mandangad. His original house here has been converted into a memorial, and a national monument is being developed at this site.
Birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak:
Lokmanya Tilak was born in Ratnagiri city. His birthplace has been preserved as a national monument by the government. He was born in a rented house in Tilak Alley on July 23, 1856, and lived there until 1866.
Thiba Palace:
This is a royal palace located in Ratnagiri city, built by the British. In 1885, they imprisoned the King of Burma (Thibaw) here. The palace has a unique three-storey structure with sloping pagoda-style roofs.
Patit Pavan Mandir:
This temple in Ratnagiri was built in 1929 by SwatantryaVeer Savarkar with the help of local people. It was the first temple in India open to both upper-caste and then “untouchable” people. It is a symbol of social reform and equality.
Swami Swarupanand Ashram (Pawas):
Located just 15 km from Ratnagiri, Pawas is known for the ashram of Swami Swarupanand. Also nearby are the 29 ancient caves at Panhale Kazi, which attract many tourists.
Kasba Sangameshwar:
Situated at the confluence of the Shastri and Sonavi rivers on the Mumbai-Goa highway. This area is believed to have had around 360 temples built during the Pandava era. The Karneshwar Temple is a major attraction. Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was captured and killed by Aurangzeb here, and a memorial has been built at the site.
Hedvi – Shri Ganesh Temple:
Located 18 km from Guhagar, the temple was built during the Peshwa period. The idol is known as “Shri Dashbhuja Laxmi Ganesh.” A large fair is held here during the Maghi Chaturthi festival.
Adivare – Mahakali Temple & Rajapur Ganga:
About 30 km from Rajapur, Adivare has an ancient temple of Goddess Mahakali. It was a flourishing marketplace during the reign of the Shilahara kings. Rajapur is also famous for its “Ganga” – a holy water source that appears every three years. Nearby is a hot water spring called Unhale and the ancient Dhootpapeshwar Temple.
Shri Kshetra Parshuram Temple:
This ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Parshuram (the 6th incarnation of Lord Vishnu), is 12 km from Chiplun on the Mumbai-Goa highway. The temple has idols of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, and a sacred pond called Banaganga, said to have been created by Parshuram himself.
Shri Kshetra Marleshwar:
Located 18 km from Devrukh in Sangameshwar taluka, this Shiva temple is situated inside a cave in the Sahyadri hills. A big fair is held on Makar Sankranti. There is a large waterfall nearby, especially beautiful during the monsoon.
Shri Kshetra Velneshwar:
Velneshwar is known for its ancient 1200-year-old Mahadev (Shiva) Temple. It also has a clean and safe beach, making it a peaceful destination for tourists.
