Ganapatipule

Ganapatipule is a small town located in Ratnagiri district on the Konkan coast of Maharashtra. The town of Chiplun is to its north.

According to a local folklore, the Hindu god, Ganapati, taking umbrage by a remark made by a native lady, moved to Pule (a few km ahead of the town) from his original abode of Gule. Thus the region was named Ganpati-pule. 400 years old Ganpati image at Ganpatipule is said to have sprung up from the soil. This deity faces the West, so as to guard the western gates, unlike deities in other Indian temples who face the east. The temple is at the base of a hill, and pilgrims walk around (pradakshina) the hill as a mark of respect.