Ratnagiri TOURISM : Several Places to Visit

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.