It has been more than 5 years since we’ve been to Ratnagiri but we still remember it fondly. Ever since I started blogging (although not long ago 🙂 ), I wanted to write a post on our short trip to Ratnagiri. Unfortunately I had misplaced pictures and finally found it on Snapfish.
Monsoon in Ratnagiri is like heaven on earth; lush green surroundings, beach, fort, rains and Ganeshji (Elephant God). You just need a good company.
Bhatye Beach
Ratnagiri is a port city on Arabian Sea coast and is part of beautiful Konkan region of Maharashtra. Ratnagiri is famous for its Alphonso Mangoes, Birth place of “Lokmanaya” Bal Gangadhar Tilak, prime leader of India’s freedom movement and Shivaji’s Fort.
Ratnagiri is accessible by road from Mumbai, it is 13Kms off Mumbai-Goa Highway. The best way to reach there is by train from Mumbai. Konkan region has beautiful spots and scenic view throughout your journey whether you travel through train or drive down.
View from train
View from train
The surrounding area is bordered by the Sahyadri Hills on the West. The fertile alluvial valleys produce the luscious Alphonso mango, coconut and rice as the main crops. Fruits and cashewnut cultivation is also being promoted.
Coconut farm
coconut farm next to Bhatye beach
There are three beaches in this area, (source wikipedia)
Mandavi Beach: Mandavi Beach is also known as the Gate Way of Ratnagiri. It is 3kms away from MSRTC ST stand. Any one can hire an auto to reach the destination.
Bhatye Beach: This beach is located on the Ratnagiri – Pawas road and this beach has large suru-ban. The important thing of the Bhatye beach is that Mandavi and Bhatye beach are divided by a creek.
Mirkarwada Beach: It is the coastal station for marine professionals; all the fishing boats and trawlers land here. It is the major trading spot in Ratnagiri for marine industry. Most of the fishes from here are exported to other city markets such as Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Bangaluru, and Mangalore.
Beach view from resort
Beach
Beach
Jaigad fort was used by Shivaji only during war.
sea view from fort wall
There is a tunnel in the fort which opens up into the sea
One end of the tunnel opening in the sea
Local authorities are planning to make this as a tourist place for locals as well as visitors.
New garden coming up near the fort. In 5 years it might have been completed now
Ganpati Pule is 21 kms from Ratnagiri and is must visit temple of Ganeshji (Elephant God).
During monsoon it is not advisable to step into the beach, specifically the one at Ganpati Pule
The region has a long illustrious past and is even mentioned in Indian mythology like Mahabharata. Like most port city it has its own Light House. It is a land as beautiful as its people simple, soft spoken, easy going and hospitable.
This was our first visit to Konkan and now we plan to visit other parts of Konkan like Chiplun, Sindhudurg and Tarkarli.
World - from my view (lens) 