Beaches, treks and forts – many charms of Ratnagiri

Ratnagiri, the coastal gem of a place in Maharashtra, is a captivating destination that effortlessly blends natural beauty, historical charm, adventure and culture, and visitors to this region are spoilt for choice. One side of this coastal wonderland is all about the panoramic views of the Arabian Sea, and the other offers lush green landscapes dotted with hinterlands, villages and historic forts. Let’s look at some of the best features of Ratnagiri, and see how they fit best for your upcoming winter holidays.

The port city of Ratnagiri is on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri District. This Konkan destination is located approximately 300 km from Pune, and 340 km from Mumbai. Ratnagiri is a good destination for long weekend getaway from these two cities.

Ratnagiri is the birthplace of the great freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak. This city is also the place where the last king of Burma (now Myanmar) was exiled. Vinayak Damodar ‘Veer’ Savarkar also made Ratnagiri his workplace.

Ratnagiri has a number of beautiful and unspoiled beaches like the famous Ganapatipule Beach and Mandvi Beach. These beaches are somewhat offbeat, as compared to other more popular beach destinations in India. They offer pristine shorelines (some of the best in the country), clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets. These beaches are perfect for tranquil beach holidays.

For adventure enthusiasts, Ratnagiri provides ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. There are several historic forts, such as Ratnadurg Fort and Jaigad Fort that one can trek to. These treks are very popular during the monsoons.

Besides Konkan fares, Ratnagiri is also wildly popular for its Alphonso mangoes. Did you know that Alphonso is also considered the king of mangoes? During the mango season, one should definitely visit the region to see what the craze is all about. You will not regret it. The local cuisine is also very seafood-influenced. Yum!

Ratnagiri is home to several temples and cultural landmarks. Take the Swayambhu Ganpati Temple in Ganpatipule for instance. The temple has a unique idol of Lord Ganesha, and is one of the significant pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra. For those interested in history, Thibaw Palace, associated with the exiled Burmese king, is also a place that is a must-visit.

Sahyadris or the Western Ghats surrounds Ratnagiri, and this means plenty of lush green landscapes and scenic beauty. The region is dotted with hills and valleys that make for great trekking destinations.

The waters around Ratnagiri are quite clean and offer great snorkelling opportunities. The beaches in Ratnagiri also offer fun water activities like boat rides and other water sports.

Ratnagiri is pleasant throughout the year with the maximum temperatures always in the mid 30s. There is uniform temperature all year round which makes Ratnagiri a perfect place for any kind of holiday.