GANPATIPULE – GUHAGAR – DAPOLI Day 1 : Early morning departure from a convenient location or your doorstep. Stop for breakfast at Nagothane, the gateway to the Alphonso Belt. Proceed to Lord Parshuram Temple, Parashurama a Brahmin, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, belongs to the Treta yug, and is the son of Jamadagani and Renuka. Parashu means axe, hence his name literally means Rama-with-the-axe. He received an axe after undertaking a terrible penance to pleaseShiva, from whom he learned the methods of warfare and other skills. He fought the advancing ocean back thus saving the lands of Konkan and Malabar. The coastal area of Kerala state along with the Konkan region, i.e., coastal Maharashtra and Karnataka, is also sometimes called Parashurama Kshetra (Parashurama's country). Parashurama is said to be a "warrior Brahman", the first warrior saint. His mother is descended from the Kshatriya Suryavansham clan that ruled Ayodhya and Lord Rama also belonged to. Lunch and proceed to Derwan, where you can watch the entire life history of King Shivaji through pictures and statues. This memorial is known as ‘Shivsrushti’. Shivsrushti was established by Shree sant Sitarambua Walawalkar Trust. Near about one crore rupees and 15 years were spent in construction of Shivsrushti. Check- in at Ganpatipule. (BLED) Day 2 : Have Breakfast and proceed to Ratnagiri Sightseeing: Thiba Palace, Constructed in 1910-11, the thibaw palace was built for the exiled king and queen of mayanmar. They lived in this palace from 1911 till their death in 1916. Lokmanya Tilak Memorial, Ratnagiri was also the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, one of India's greatest freedom fighters. His house, now a memorial called The Lokmanya Tilak Smarak, is diligently maintained by the local community. Fort Ratnadurg, Ratnagiri Fort or Bhagvati FortRatnagiri, also known as Ratnadurg, or Bhagwati, fort is situated about 220 km south of Mumbai. The Bijapur sultans built the fort in the sixteenth century but it was renovated by Shivaji in 1670, serving as an important base for the Maratha navy. The fall of the hereditary Angre admirals also meant the decline of Ratnagiri as a naval base of any military significance.The fort, easily accessible by road, comprises three fortified peaks. The largest, to the south, is called Parkot and supports a functional lighthouse on its western edge. There are hardly any traces of the middle peak, Peth fort, but the Bale Kila, or citadel, is still well preserved and houses the famous Bhagwati Temple. Beyond the temple is a cliff with a sheer drop from where it is said that condemned prisoners were thrown to their death. There are also some old caves on the western face of the cliff. Evening enjoy on Malgund Beach. Dinner. Stay at Ganpatipule. (BLED) Day 3 : Have Breakfast and proceed for Darshan of Shri Ganesh, Ganpatipule Temple, It is idyllic. It is famous not only because of its blue water and white sand, but for Swayambhu Ganpati Temple (Swayambhu means a self-originated idol, Ganapati). 400 years old Ganpati idol at Ganpatipule is said to have sprung up from the soil. This deity faces the West, so as to guard the western gates, unlike deities in other Indian temples who face the East. The Temple is at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around (pradakshina) the hill as a mark of respect. After Darshan proceed to Guhagar via ferry. On route visit Hedvi Ganesh 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.Velneshwar Temple, Situated Near The Seashore A Very Quite And Nice Place For Relaxation Of The Tourists. It Is At 25 Km 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'. Check –in at hotel. Spend enjoyable time on Guhagar Beach. Stay at Guhagar. (BLED) Day 4 : Have Breakfast and proceed to Dapoli via Ferry. On route visit Talkeshwar Lighthouse, Fort Gopalgad, As a common myth, most of the people believe that forts in Konkan and Maharashtra came into existence because of Shivaji and subsequent Maratha Kingdom in this region. Many of the locals also have strong belief. There is another common myth that Konkan does not have or has very little ancient history, whatever history it has essentially starts with Maratha period. Many forts in Konkan are the living facts which easily disprove these myths.But question is why so many forts in this narrow hilly tract which is just so obscure part of this country. But the existence of forts prove one thing that these parts were no obscure a few centuries ago, they are not the structures of one's fancy but served a practical purpose. That practical purpose was protection of trade and the people who wanted to do that. Konkan being a coastal region with so many ports which may look small or just nothing these days has been a hotspot for trade for the entire subcontinent. The trade which actually took place on these port towns needed connections with the rest of the country and were origins for trade routes. Three types of forts can be seen in Konkan region. First type of forts are built on islands in the sea e.g. Kille Sindhudurg. Second type of forts is of those which are built near the sea coast or creeks but on mainland. e.g. Kille Vijaydurg. Third type are hill forts e.g. Kille Raigad. Kille Gopalgad, a fort in Ratnagiri district was built on the banks of Vashishti creek. It was built for the protection of Dabhol an ancient port city which also finds its mention by the famous geographer from ancient Greece Ptolemy. On route to Dapoli also visit Chandika Temple, The temple is 15-20 feet under ground in a cave. Electricity is forbidden inside and hence only source of lighting is lamps and candles lit. The idol of Goddess Chandika is swayambhoo (self-borne) and supposed to be from the ages of Pandava. However, it was discovered only 300 years back. Outside the temple is a tomb of the discoverer of this temple. Stay in Dapoli. (BLED) Day 5 : Awake early morning for a traditional breakfast before leaving to Keshavraj Temple, Shree Keshavraj temple is located amidst lush green land, a perennial stream and rolling hills and take a 15 minute trek through coconut, betel nut, mango and cashew trees to reach here. The natural spring originates at the hill top and flows down to the front of the temple supplying water to the stone carved cow mouth (Gomukh) throughout the year. The surroundings are calm and tranquil interrupted only by the harmonious chirping of birds. Evening Visit Murud & Harne Beach. Stay in Dapoli. (BLED) Day 6 : Have Breakfast and proceed to Mumbai, On route visit Kadyawarcha Ganpati, In Aanjarle Village On The Seashore The Temple Built On Huge Mountain Is Known As 'Ganapati Of Kadyawar'. After Crossing The Jog River Creek, There Is Aanjarle Village. In Earlier Times There Were Two Temples In The Sea, One Of Aanjarleshwar & Other Of Ganapati. They Got Drowned In The Sea, Later On Ganapati Temple Was Built On A High Mountain. The Temple Must Be Of Madhavrao Peshve Period. There Are 250 Steps to it. Yakub Baba Darga (Seventh Guru Of Shivaji Maharaj), Mahalaxmi Temple. (BLE) Tour Concludes, But the Relationship continues…………… PACKAGE COST: Per Person / Per Day (Transport From Mumbai – Mumbai) PAX AND ROOMS PACKAGE COST Deluxe Stay Standard Stay Minimum 02 Pax (01 Room) Rs. 3,445.00 Rs. 3,050.00 Minimum 04 Pax (02 Rooms) Rs. 3,130.00 Rs. 2,970 00 Minimum 06 Pax (03 Rooms) Rs. 2,813.00 Rs. 2,513.00 Minimum 08 Pax (04 Rooms) Rs. 2,715.00 Rs. 2,315.00 Minimum 10 Pax (05 Rooms) Rs. 2,648.00 Rs. 2,385.00 Minimum 12 Pax (06 Rooms) Rs.2,532.00 Rs.2,232.00 Extra Adult with Extra Mattress – Rs. 1,480.00 / Rs.1,280.00 Extra Child without Extra Mattress – Rs. 1,146.00 / Rs. 990.00 The Above Cost Includes: Transportation (A/C), Accommodation (Non AC), All Meals (Vegetarian) Toll/Guide/Entrance/Boating any other expenses. .