Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
up to visit the seaside Ganesha Temple ( 6am-9pm) housing a monolithic Ganesha (painted a
bright orange), supposedly discovered 1600 years ago.
Activities on and off the beach at Ganpatipule include camel (?50) and boat (?100)
rides. Neither of which are recommended over a long walk on the sand away from the
crowd.
About 40km south, Ratnagiri is the largest town on the southern Maharashtra coast and
the main train station for Ganpatipule (it's on the Konkan Railway). You'll also find sev-
eral ATMs strung along Ratnagiri's main street. But once you've refilled your wallet and
gone shopping for conveniences, the only sight worth checking out - apart from a dirty
beach - are the remnants of the Thibaw Palace (Thibaw Palace Rd; admission free; 10am-5.30pm Tue-
Sun) , where the last Burmese king, Thibaw, was interned under the British from 1886 until
his death in 1916.
Sleeping & Eating
MTDC Resort
( 235248; d without/with AC from ?1938/2280; ) Spread over prime beachfront, this is the best
place to stay. It's well kept with a small army of gardeners, and offers an assortment of
rooms and cottages. It also packs in a decent restaurant with cold beer. The Konkani huts,
themed on traditional Malvani villages, is an offshoot located well away from the main re-
sort, which offers its own restaurant with beachside dining and a bit more seclusion. The
huts themselves are basic concrete blocks, but OK.
HOTEL $$
Hotel Vihar Deluxe
( 02352222944; Main Rd, Ratnagiri; d without/with AC ?1285/1754; ) This gigantic operation is one
of a few functional hotels that line the main strip in Ratnagiri. It was undergoing extensive
renovations when we visited. Rooms reflect the business traveller mindset and are far
from luxurious, while the food - especially the seafood - is commendable. A South Indian
breakfast is complimentary.
HOTEL $$
Tarang Restaurant
(MTDC Resort; mains ?80-190) This is just one of several similar places where you can grab a de-
cent, inexpensive meal, such as a thali or Chinese noodles in Ganpatipule.
INDIAN $
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