GANAPATHIPULE - GANAPATHI MANDIR

The state of Maharastra seems to have established monopoly over the worship of Ganapathy since time immemorial. And Ganesh is the exclusive house-hold property of both class and mass, as it were. The rulers in the bygone past endowed the temple-, in several ways although their Kulaswamini is Tulaji Bhavani. The Ashta Vinayaka temples testify to the enormity of popularity commanded by this deity. And at the magnetic touch of Pujya Tilak, the indomitable national leader, a new epoch in the celebration of yearly festival is inaugurated and is mounting higher and higher with the passage of time. There are no houses without his image, nor villages or towns, his temples. Even the natural big lakes are named after him.

This Ganapathy Pule lying on the sea shore is luring huge number of theists and tourists round the year. Finding its tourist potential, the State Government has evinced great interest in making it a sea shore resort of great attraction. Many mod facilities for staying overnights with conveyance have been planned and implemented, and they are catering to the needs of all kinds of people. Here, the vast blue water pule itself has an irresistible charm, besides the shrine with Swayambhu Ganapathi which has been luring over `centuries. The temple although is modest in size and shape, its sublimity and lord Ganapathy's matchless bounty in granting boons are its special points for attraction. It is always crowded and several agamic prayers are offered with great devotional zeal. Tourists, despite drawn by the momentary thrills of boating, strolling etc. are paying visits and worshipping this Lord. Of course, when acquainted with the divine sports of this potent archamurti. The location of the shrine amidst long stretches of purple scenery and glittering white sand is exercising a magnetic pull, in addition to the spiritual aroma scattered from the shrine. The archamurti is quite enchanting and installed on a beautiful dias. So, the tourists with aesthetic instincts enjoy the darsan and offer prayers.

It is 144 km off Kolhapur, a famous pilgrim town of Maharastra, accessible by bus from Bombay or Ratnagiri.

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