Ganpatipule
The Ganesh Temple at Ganpatipule in Ratnagiri district of kokan which is located at a distance of
350 kms. from Mumbai is very ancient, right from the Peshwas. In ancient literature like Mudgal - puran etc.
this Lambodara's (Ganesh) temple is being referred as "Paschim Dwar-Devata" (Western Sentinal God).
Various myths are prevalent about the temples and dieties in kokan.
Ganpatipule is one of the "Ashta Dwar Devatas" (Eight Welcoming Dieties) of
subconntient and is known as Wester'n Sentinal God. Pandanus Odoratissimus. During the reign of Muguls
(about 1600 years before), there was a 'kevada' (Flower tree). Jungal at the foot of the hill where the temple of
'Swayambhu' Ganapati is presently situated. Here lived Balbhatji Bhide, a brahmin, who was renter of the village,
during the moghul period, Bhide encountered a major personal problem. Bhide being a determined person. that he was,
made up his mind to give up food and water till being relieved of personal calamity. Hr stayed in the Kevada - Jungal
for penance and worship his tutelar direty 'mangalmurti' (Lord Ganesh).
During this period, Bhide has a vision about Lord Ganesh who said, " I have come to Aagargule (Ganesh Gule)
to fulfill the wishes of my devotees. The hill is my 'nirakar' from (Void from) You worship and propitiate
here, and will be relieved of all your difficulties".
During the same period, one of the cows of Bhide was not giving milk, for which reason, the cowherd kept a close
watch on her. He was astonished to see that the milk was flowing from cow's udder on the place where the idol of the God is placed
at present. The cowherd narrated the incident to Bhide. on Cleaning up the entire area Bhide found the idol of Ganesh which
he had seen in his vision He built a shrine here and started performing rituals.
Ganpatipule derived its name from "Ganapati" or the Lord of "Ganas" (army) and 'Pule'
which means sand dune. In those days, this village was sparsely populated. Mostly people
stayed around the nnorthen part of the village since western part of the village was a slope
The tutelar diety Lord Mangalmurty to the preferred to be at small village adjacent to the
western coast of India along the Arabain sea.