Ganpatipule Temple is the 400-year-old “Swayambhu” (self-incarnation idol) land of Ganesha. The Ganpatipule temple timings are from 5 AM to 9 PM. Here, we can learn about the Temple’s history, significance, nearby hotels, temple trust contacts, etc.
Ganpatipule Temple
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Its origin can be traced back to ancient literature such as the Mudgal-Purana, where it was referred to as the “Paschim- Gate-Devata” or “Paschim Gate Dwarapalak” (Western Sentinel God).
The Ganpatipule Temple is one such Temple and has an important place in Hindu culture as it is one of the ‘Astha–Ganapati’ (eight Ganapati). Ganpatipule Temple is located 350 km from Mumbai in the Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra.
Significance
This Temple’s unique feature is the abode of Lord Ganesha ‘Swayambhu’ (self-incarnation).
This self-embodied concept applies only to the ‘primordial deities’ (early deities). All these ‘swayambhu’ deities are part of this eternal nature.
Therefore, they do not require subsequent carving or sculpting. Deities are nature in themselves.
Unlike the deities in other Indian temples facing east, ‘Swayambhu Ganapati’ faces west. He was known as the “Paschim-Dwar-Devata” or “Paschim-Dwarapalak”, i.e. the Western Sentinel God.
He believes in facing the West to protect the Western Ghats in India. A mesmerizing glimpse of the fountain flowing from Ganesha’s navy on a typical rainy day fills every devotee with supreme divinity and purity.
Between 1998 and 2003, the Ganapatipule Temple was built. It looks carved out of a single stone and constructed with a particular type of stone called Agra Red Stone.
History of Ganpatipule Temple
Various myths about temples and deities are prevalent. About 500 years ago, during the Mughal rule, there was a ‘Kevada’ (flower tree) forest at the bottom of the hill where “Swayambhu” Ganapati is now. Balbhatji Bhide, a Brahmin, lived here.
Once he faced a big personal disaster, he gave up food and water until he was relieved of his problem. So he was alone in the forest for penance and worshipped his guru, “Mangalamurti” Ganesha.
During this time, Bhide had a vision in his dream in which Ganesha said that he had come to Agargule (Ganesh Gule) in his “nirakar” (void) form to alleviate the sufferings of all my devotees.
Therefore, you should worship and atone here. One of Bhide’s cows was not milking, so the cowherd kept an eye on her.
He was amazed to see milk dripping from a cow udder at the place where the idol of God is now. The cowherd described the incident to Bhide and, while cleaning the whole area of Bhide, found a statue of Swayambhu Ganesh, which he saw in his eyes.
So, he built a shrine there on the grass and began to perform his first rituals. Later, Secretary Annaji Dutta, one of Shivaji Maharaj’s eight trusted ministers, built a magnificent dome instead of a grassy top.
The following structure was the auditorium built by Sardar Govindrap Bundele from the Peshwa Court. After that, Kolhapur Sansthan Secretary Vasudeva Rao Barve made a gilded dome peak.
His Highness Nanasaheb Peshwa set up the continuous lamp lighting “Nandadeep”, and Ramabai Peshwa created a permanent stone structure for the pilgrims. Madhava Rao Peshwa built the “Sabhamandapan“.
Festivals Celebrated at the temple.
Various festivals and ceremonies are celebrated throughout the year, namely:
Bhadrapada Celebration
Bhadrapada Shuddha Pratipada to Panchami. Aarti, mantrapuspa and kirtana every night. Mahaprasadam on the holy day of Vaman Dwadashi.
Magha Celebrations
Magha Suddha 1 to Magha Suddha 5. Arati, Mantrapuspa and Kirtana every night. Magh Shuddh 6 – Night Cultural Events. Magha Shuddha 7 – Afternoon Mahaprasa and night cultural programs.
Dussehra
On this Dussehra day, devotees worship Bhatji Bhilde’s ‘Samadhi’ (Holy Tomb) at dawn, and 2100 Bundi Lads are distributed to the devotees. There will be a palanquin procession for the ‘Simollanghan’ (symbolic crossing of skirts).
Dipotsav (Festival of Lights)
From Kozagiri Full Moon-Night to Tripuri Full Moon-Night. Every evening between Ashwin Shuddha 15 and Karthika Shuddha 15, lamps were lit during Harati.
Vasantha Puja
Chaitra Shuddha 1 to Vaishakha Shuddha 3 (Gudhipadava to Akshay Tritiya).
Pallaki procession of the Lord
Every Sankashti (i.e. 12 times a year), Gudipadva, Dussehra, Diwali (first day), Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shuddha 4), Maghi Chaturthi (Magha Shuddha 4) had worshipped seventeen times, specifically Ganesha. This procession.
Temples near Ganapatipule
- Shri Mahakali Mandir
- Shri Kankaditya Mandir
- Ganga- Teerth- Rajapur
- Hot Water Spring
- Dhoot papeshwar Temple
- Ganeshgule (Agargule)
- Shri Zari Vinayak Mandir
- Shri Swami Swaroopananda Shrine temple (Samadhi Mandir)
- Shri kshetra Parshuram
- Shri Velneshwar Mandir
- Shri Uma Maheshwar Mandir Hedvi
- Karhateshwar Temple
- Shri Laxmi- Keshav Temple
Ganpatipule Temple Timings
Below are the Ganpatipule temple timings:
| Ganpatipule Temple Timings | From | To |
| Morning | 5 AM | 9 PM |
| Morning Aarti | 5 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Afternoon Aarti | 12 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Evening Pooja | 7 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Khichdi Prasad Time | 12 PM | 2 PM |
Hotels near the Temple
- Atithi Lodge, 250 m from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Beachfront Villas, 3.5 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Kaular Atithis Grand Kokan Resort, 250 m from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Blue Ocean Rsort,3.8 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Shri Mahalaxmi Holiday Resort, 0.6 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Moreshwar Park, 450 m km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Hotel Grand Ganesha, 350 m km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Hotel Deepak Executive, 48.9 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Bliss Holiday, 1.6 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
- Redstone House by Ekdanth Holiday Home, 1.1 km from Ganapatipule Mandir.
How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport is Ratnagiri Airport.
Train: Ratnagiri’s nearest railway station, about 50 km from Ganpatipule. There are regular trains to Ratnagiri from Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Bangalore.
You can also hire a bus or taxi from the station to reach the destination.
By Road: Scenic roads and highways connect Ganpatipule with major cities in India. Buses are maintained from Ganpatipule to Mumbai, Pune and Belgaum.
Ganpatipule Temple Trust contact
Ganapatipule Temple Official Website
Sansthan Shreedev Ganpatipule, Ganpatipule Tal. Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India
Contact No: 8669931142, 8669931143, 8669931144
Email: ganpatipulemandir@gmail.com
FAQs
Where to stay near Temple?
Many modern hostels are available near the Ganpatipule Temple and in Ratnagiri. Apart from this, charitable organizations like Bhaktinivas offer accommodation at a nominal tariff.
Where to eat near Temple?
All types of food options are available in Ratnagiri. Most vegetarian restaurants are located near the Temple. But This Place must say that the locals here are very generous and kind. The ancient heritage of the Hindus still looks very calm and happy. It was recommended that only pure water be drunk.