Fred Travels

A small little beach town in southern Maharashtra, Ganapatipule welcomes its visitors with the promise of calm, tranquility, spiritual intervention, great cuisine and a beautiful vacation! Ideal for couples to get-away, families to have a reunion, friends to rejoice! Ganapatipule attracts history enthusiasts, adventure lovers and alike.

This small town with just 100 houses is in the Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast belt in Maharashtra. With lush green locales, coconut trees and a heritage of mangroves along with the deep blue sea as the backdrop, Ganapatipule gives you a picturesque setting, perfect for rejuvenation. Situated on the Konkan Coastline, this heavenly escapade gives a breathtaking view of the beach with an alluring weather, the smell of the sea and the gorgeous Ganapatipule temple. This otherwise less explored region has been attracting a lot of tourists from all over the world. Ganapatipule offers to the traveler, a pious experience of lord Ganesha along with a rejuvenating beachside experience.

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Ganapatipule attracts pilgrims in big numbers who come to visit the celebrated Ganapati temple. Folklore says that this 400-year old Ganapati idol has sprung up from the soil, deriving itself the name – ‘Swayambhu’ temple. Unlike deities in other Indian temples who face the east, this deity faces the west, to guard the western gates. This place is crowded with devotees significantly in the Gauri-Ganapati festivals.

Around this beach town, tourists can also explore the little village of Velneshwar which has a tranquil coconut fringe where one can relax and rejuvenate. The Shiva temple in Velneshwar is the most visited by locals as well as tourists. The city if Ratnagiri is located about 26 kms from Ganapatipule. A commercial hub of the Konkan region, this city is popular for glorious history, forts and museums and seafood. The Prachin Konkan museum must also be on the itinerary to experience the best this region offers. One can also visit the Sangameshwar river, Jaigad fort and the serene town of Pawas. The beach at Pawas houses a panoramic view of the lighthouse and the Jaigad fort.

The Konkan belt of Maharashtra called for great cuisine inclusive of seafood and coconut delicacies. ‘Modaks’ – Ganapati bappa’s favourite snacks, are coconut filled sweet dumplings which one must savour in Ganapatipule. The much-hyped Alphonso mangoes from this region are loved too. One can gorge over luscious Fish curries with flavours of Kokam and and array of crustaceans. ‘Ambapoli’ and ‘Phanaspoli’ made from dried and crushed mangoes and jackfruit respectively are carried home by tourists to be eaten all year long.

Tourists can drive down about 400 kms from Mumbai or reach by train exploring the breathtaking Konkan views. One can also fly to Ratnagiri airport and drive down to this tiny village.

So pack your bags and be ready to explore the Caribbean of India and spend an idyllic weekend at this beach town to reinvent the calm and tranquil within.

After several months of scorching heat, Mumbai eagerly awaits for the arrival monsoon. This is the time that gives us relief from hard hitting summer. As soon as the monsoon arrives in Mumbai, we are truly blessed with the showers relieving them from the sweltering heatwave. Even though blessed by the rainfall, indulging in delicious sinful monsoon snacks & a cup of tea or chai is joyful for us every monsoon season which is quite unexplainable. Here are some sinful monsoon treats that each one of us would crave for in this heavenly weather!

Samosas 

Samosas are a spicy & sinful treat that can either be enjoyed on a cloudy day or when it rains. They can either be made at home or purchased from a local street vendor. Indulging in a spicy samosa is a best way to indulge in yourself. The best places to find Samosas in Mumbai are A1 Samosa, Gurukripa, Gulati’s, Punjab Sweet House, Tewari Bros Sweets, K-3 Snacks & Sweets etc.

Pakodas 

Pakodas are fritters made by dipping vegetables in spiced chickpea batter and deep fried. Pakodas are always a delight during the rainy season. You won’t be truly satisfied when they are not eaten hot & dipped in spicy green chutney. Fry up some at home and enjoy with a steaming cup of chai, or buy them at a local vendor and enjoy the pouring rain as you bite into these crispy wonders.

Momos

Momos, one of Nepal’s most popular dishes are mostly available at various restaurants & roadside joints. They are best enjoyed when they are steamed hot & can be eaten at any time. If you are stranded in the rain, a plateful of delicious steamed Momos are the perfect solution to all life’s problems. The best places to find Momo’s are Kepchaki Momos, The Appetite Momos, Momos Time, Yes Boss Momos, Dev’s Momo Hut, New Sernyaa Tibetan Kitchen, etc.

Bhutta

Bhutta or Corn on the Cob is the most popular snack that can be enjoyed during the monsoon season. Roasted over a charcoal fire & is flavoured with lime, salt & condiments brings out the best combination of rainy goodness! It leaves a chatpata taste in your mouth that will keep you craving for more. The best places to find Bhutta are Cuffe Parade, Juhu Beach, Chowpatty, Marine Drive, Carter Road, Near King’s Circle (Matunga), Worli Seaface etc.

Chaat 

Chaat is a savory snack that can be enjoyed anytime during the monsoon season. Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, Dahi Puri, Ragda Pattice, Papdi Chaat, Pani Puri are synonymous with Mumbai’s street food. No one can deny the fact that Chaat is even more mouth-watering during the rainy season & one can start craving for it more often. The best places to find Chaat are Gurukripa, Kailash Parbat, Sharma Chaat Bhandar, Gupta Chaat Center, Girgaum & Juhu Chowpatty, Elco etc

Pav Bhaji 

Pav Bhaji is a popular fast food snack that can be enjoyed anytime during the monsoon season. It consists of a spicy curry of mixed vegetables (Bhaji) cooked in a special blend of spices & served with soft bread pav shallow fried in butter. With all that butter & heat from the spices which makes it a perfect for rainy season to crave on. The best places to find Pav Bhaji are Sardar Pav Bhaji, Cannon Pav Bhaji etc.

Vada Pav

Vada Pav or Indian Burger is a famous Maharashtrian snack that is popular during the monsoon season where one can gorge on. This delicious snack is a simple creation involving a deep fried potato patty with some coriander & spices that is served in Pav with condiments such as chutney, red chilli powder or green chillies. The best places to find Vada Pav are Ashok Vada Pav, Aaram Vada Pav, Graduate Vada Pav, Jumbo King etc.

Masala Chai 

Masala Chai or Hot Tea is an extremely popular beverage during the monsoon season. It is made by brewing black tea with a mixture of aromatic Indian spices & herbs. It is also one of the best kinds of chai that can be enjoyed anytime. This beverage tastes delicious when its piping hot. The best places to find Masala Chai are Chaicoffi, The Bagel Shop, High On Tea, Tea Villa Cafe etc.

Soup

Soup is a beverage which is a delight that can be relished during the monsoon season. One can try variants of vegetables like Tomato, Corn, Spinach or paired with meat and seafood. Instead of gorging on street foods that are loaded with bacteria & viruses, you can indulge yourself by relishing a bowl of hot soup during the rainy season. The best places to find Soup are Smoke House Deli, Soup N Grill, Salad Days etc.

After taking a look at the sinful monsoon treats, you’ll start drooling as you see or hear about them. Once you start relishing or indulging in these treats or snacks, you will start to crave for more as they are so scrumptious & delicious that will leave you spellbound. These tasty monsoon treats will never leave you disappointed. Happy Monsoon!