Photo : Sunset at Bhatye Beach in Ratnagiri (Contributed by Journalist Abhijeet Nandgaokar)
Ratnagiri district offers the most diverse attractions for the tourists. The district is endowed with many tourist assets. The rising hills of Sahyadri on east and the depths of Arabian sea on the west contribute to the unparallel beauty of Ratnagiri.
Ratnagiri is blessed with hills, sea shores, creeks, beautiful rivers, hot water springs, forests and water falls among many others.
Several Places to Visit :
Places of worship : Ganapatipule, Velneshwar, Marleshwar, Hedvi, Hatis, Parshuram [Chiplun], Rajapur
Caves: Panhalekazi, Sangameshwar
Palace: Thibaw Palace [Ratnagiri]
Sea Shores: Kelshi, Murud, Guhaghar, Palshet, Ganpatipule, Velneshwar
Beaches: Mandovi [Gateway of Ratnagiri], Bhatye, Guhagar, Anjarla, Ganapatipule
Birth Places of eminent personalities: Ratnagiri, Malgund, Dapoli, Palgad
Forts: Bankot, Mandangad, Ambolgad, Jaigad, Ratnadurg, Mahipatgad Sea Forts: Ratnadurg, Harne, Purnagad, Jaigad
Bird Sanctuaries: Vanadi valley, Anaskura Ghat
Exotic forests: Pat Panhale, Bavnadi valley
Timeless Landscapes: Goval, Hatlot Ghat, Tivare Ghat, Amba Hill and Hill Ranges: Sahyadrian Ranges
Rivers: Jagbudi, Vashisti, Kasavi Irrigation Projects: Natuwadi, Nandivali, Kolkewadi
Water Falls: Parshuram, Prachitgad, Marleshwar
Hot water Spring : Unhavare, Aravali, Tural, Rajapur
Gustatory Delight : While non-vegetarian food is not too easily available around the temple area, one can gorge on rice and fish curry in coconut base [with 'Kokam kadi' - A pink colored digestive drink that promises to neutralise the effects of the spicy treat.] on the outskirts of the village.
Shopping : Shop artifacts made of seashells. The konkan region blessed with some of the finest horticulture fruits, offers a variety of local preparations like 'ambapoli' [thin pancakes of dried and crushed mangoes], 'phanaspoli' [thin pancakes of dried and crushed jackfruit], cashewnuts, coconuts etc. Summer time is best know for most famous variety of mangoes in the world - the Devgad 'hapus' mango.
