Programme

In the morning, departure to Dapoli, Take a diversion from Mangaon and visit- famous Ganesh Temple at Diveaagar (This village is an ancient one with full of history. It is like a strip of land, around 5 by 1 -2 km in dimension. After the Golden Ganesha idol was excavated and established for worship in the old village temple around 8 yrs back it has become a popular tourist destination. Farm land, coconut and beetle nut orchards have become hot properties since then and the realty market is booming here. The beach here is simply magnificent) Thereafter proceed to Shrivardhan and visit- Peshwe Smarak there. Afterwards leave for Harihareshwar (Enjoy sea beach here and also visit ancient Shiva Temple) thereafter visit Kadyavarcha Ganapati at Anjarle (Anjarle is one of the finest places in Konkan. It is just 20 km from Dapoli. It is famous for the ‘Kadyawarcha Ganpati’ (Ganesh temple situated on a cliff)  This ancient and magnificent Ganesh temple was originally constructed using wooden pillars in around 1150. Later it was renovated during 1768 to 1780. Earlier people used to cross Anjarle creek (Jog River) in a boat and then climb the hill using steps that go through the Anjarle village. Recently a bridge has been constructed and you can take your car right up to the entrance of the temple., Reach Dapoli (it is a small yet nice place. It is at a height of 700 to 800 feet from the sea level & is a cool & pleasant place. As it is located at a height, it is surrounded by beautiful natural surroundings. People are attracted to Dapoli village because of its natural beauty. In summer holdings & Christmas holidays, people especially from Mumbai & Pune come to spend their time. The Britishers selected Dapoli as the place for their military camp being cool place & so it came to be known as camp Dapoli. The camp are consists of Dapoli, Gimhavane, Jogale & Jalgaon. In the year 1880 Alfred Gaddne started a high school (A.G.High School). Many well known people were the students of this school. Bharat Ratna, P.V. Kane & Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had studied from this school). Night halt at Dapoli.

After breakfast, departure to Ganapatipule, enroute visit Parashuram Teerth (the Parshuram Temple is an ancient temple in Chiplun. The temple is famous for the 6th incarnation of Vishnu. Shree Parshuram is also said to be creator of Konkan, the land which he got from sea and hence Konkan is known as Parshuram Bhumi. The architecture of the temple incorporates both the Hindu & Muslim styles. Steps from the ghat lead to the temple. The Parshuram Temple is surrounded by stone walls and it has three idols inside the temple. 300 years ago the temple was built by Brahmendra Swami. Temple of Goddess Renuka who is the mother of Parshuram can be seen behind the Parshuram Temple. It is believed that Parshuram's powerful 5 arrows created the water source here. The lake is known as Bandganga Lake) and Dervan Math (It is a great historic musium. there are so many sculpture on Shivshai & Peshweshahi. Dont forget to visit this historic museum you will get gistory of maharashtra. Thousands of tourists come to see the exhibition at Dervan which gives details of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's life. Dervan is from Savarada near Chiplun. More than one crore rupees expenditure has incurred on this project & it took 15 years to complete. The coronation, ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj, attack of Shahiste khan, Shivaji's Soldiers, Elephants, Horses and conservation between Samarth Ramdas and Shivaji, all these incidents have been exactly picturised. Sitaram Walawakar built this exhibition. To visit it bus facility is available from Chiplun. Exhibition timings are 8 am to 6 pm. It is a cultural centre from the view point of tourists. Dervan’s Shiv Shilpa Shrushti. Konkan region has a lot of attractive spots.. But in a short period of time the place which has become famous is Dervans Shiv Shilpa Shrushti. In Ratnagiri district in Chiplun taluka you can see this structure. This structure had not only been built for Saint Sitaram Buva Aatmaram Walvalkar, but it also has paintings of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. By this we come to know about are culture, traditions. Sitaram Buva stayed in Dervan and he devoted his life for social activities.Helping the poor people, helping others who need help etc. He passed away on 18- 1- 69. To re-live his moments, his efforts for the people, Joshi Maharaj under the guidance of Digambardas Maharaj formed a chariatable trust. This trust had been famous for helping the needy people. He had a great respect for Shivaji Maharaj. With this respect in mind, he formed a Shiv Samartha fort. Shivaji Patkar a famous designer used his all skills to create the ShivShrushti .It took him fifteen years to create it. When you enter the fort the picture which welcomes you is the Mavale who are guarding the fort. At the entrance of the fort two huge elephants welcome you and you can also see the big door. As you open the door there a lot of paintings and sculptures which atrract us. In the Shiv temple,one can witness the statue of Shivaji Maharaj. Sant Tukaram Maharaj, Sant Namdev Maharaj statues are also placed near to the statue of Shivaji Maharaj. Besides this Gomata's statue also attract us. In the other sculptures,Chatrapatis crowning ceremony, taking a oath at Rohideshwari, Shivba praying for goddess Jagdamba, Saint Ramdas creating iracles, Shahistekhans defeat , Afzalkhans defeat, Baji Prabhus Pawan Khind, Jijamata pointing finger towards Kondana, etc and all othersculptures are to be seen.all the sculptures are made by cement. On the Mumbai-Goa national highway no.17,on the way to Chiplun a village named Sawarde is located.The route to Dervan goes from this road. From national highway the fort is three to four away , from chiplun it is twelve kms away. The entrance to this is indian dress only. Shiv Jayanti festival is celebrated in a great style. On that day staying facilitiesare provided .Generally the festival is being celebrated for three days. On other days staying are facilities are not provided). Reach Ganapatipule (take a diversion from Nivli Phata).

Ganapatipule is a small village, serene, sedate and unspoiled. The beach here is still as natural and pristine as ever. And traveling by roads is an experience by itself. The vast "Konkan" stretch abounds with scenic greenery. There are narrow mud-roads, the earth is red and the roofed houses with clean courtyards add a quaint touch to the panorama. The local vegetation includes fruit bearing trees like mango, betelnut, banana, jackfruit, coconut, etc. The entire western coast is covered with these trees. The locals are as warm and cheerful as their surroundings. Ever ready to chat with the visitors and make them feel at home. Nestled in the greenery is an almost 4000 year old land mark- the Swayambhu Ganapati temple (Swayambhu means 'self-made', this is a temple of the self-originated idol, Ganapati). It is flooded by thousands of devotees and tourists every year. Thus the village got its name Ganapatipule, Ganapati the lord of the "ganas" or army and "pule" which means sand dunes, Ganapatipule is one of the "Ashta Ganapatis" (eight Ganapatis) of India and is known as "Paschim Dwar Dewata" (the Western Sentinel God). These god-fearing local devotees take a "Pradakshina" around the hill where the temple is located, not just around the temple (Pradakshina is a form of showing obeisance wherein the devotee walks in a circle around the idol of the lord or around the temple, the house of the lord), As for the tourists, they can go walking simple to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. In the evening take a darshan of lord Ganesha.Thereafter spend your evening on the sea beach. Night halt at Ganapatipule.

After breakfast, visit- Ratnagiri (25 kms.) (the Konkan is the vast, beautiful western coast. One of its districts is the well-known Ratnagiri. It is here that the great freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born. This man with a mission led the "Swadeshi Movement" in the 20th centuary against the British. His house- Tilak Smarak - is a landmark now and is open to visitors. Also the "Patit Pawan Mandir" is of importance here. It was the first temple built for the non-Brahmins by revolutionary leader, Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Other Attractions are the Bhatye Beach, The Coconut Research Center, Ratnadurg Fort, Bhagwati Bunder (Sea Port) and The Seafood Processing Centre at Mirya. Also visit Thebaw Palace, which was built for the exiled King and Queen of Burma (now Myanmar) in 1910- 11. They lived for five years till their death in 1916)
After lunch, visit- Pawas (Pawas is naturally beautiful and serene. The place is also prominent for the ashram of Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrians). A visit to the place is a journey through time) via- Ratnagiri. Also visit Ganesh Temple at Ganeshgule and enjoy sea beach nearby there. Return to Ganapatipule. Night halt at Ganapatipule.

After breakfast, leave for Guhagar (55 kms.), arrive Guhagar.
After an evening tea, visit- Vyadeshwar Temple (this temple of Lord Shiva is literally a stone's throw away from the S.T. Depot, right in the middle of the bazaar. It is the Kuladaivat of a lot of Kokanastha Chitpavan Brahmins), Velaneshwar Temple (situated near the seashore a very quite and nice place for relaxation of the tourists. It is at 25 kms from Guhagar and 6 kms from Hedavi. The area of Velneshwar temple is 70 kms. In front of the temple there is a huge pillar for lightning lamps. Also, there are temples of 'Kal Bhairav', 'Ganapati', 'Rameshwari'. There are also ancient charitable institutions and cannons in this temple. The Enron Electricity project has resulted into frequent visits of people to this place. Away from the polluted atmosphere of the city, this quiet place with beautiful scenery of Coconut trees, has attracted many tourists) and Dashabhuja Ganesh Temple at Hedavi (in every month on 'Chathurthi' the devotees of Lord Ganesh make a point to visit the temple. The idol of Ganapati was created in Kashmir. The idol is made from Marble. Goddess Laxmi is seated on the laps of Lord Ganapati. On the body of Ganapati there is a sacred thread in the form of a snake. Bow, Trishul, Club 'Modak' chakra lotus are the weapons in the hands of God Ganapati. This temple is of the time of Peshwas and the foundations of Kelkar Swami. The temple was renovated in 1956. Charitable institutions are built to provide accommodation facilities to the tourist. Near this temple at a distance of 3 km there is a temple of 'Uma Maheshwar' in Bomanhal. Return back to hotel. Night halt at Guhagar.

After breakfast, departure to Mumbai (280 kms.- 6 Hrs.). Reach Mumbai.