Places of Interest you can visit in and around Ratnagiri - Pawas
Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri is a beautiful city and an important port. The city is quiet industrialized and has many fish processing and exporting units. Ratnagiri is also famous for the Alphanso mangoes produced in the adjoining areas. There are many good Hotels in the city to stay and lots of temples, places and beaches in and around the city to see. The places worth mention to see in Ratnagiri are The Aquarium, 18 hands Ganpati, Lal Ganpati, Birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak and the Panwal Bridge on the konkan Railway.
The Ratnagiri beach is a lovely beach, which penetrates the sea and you can see a White sand beach on one side and a Black sand beach on the other at the same time. You can watch a beautiful sunset at the beach in the evenings.
Sunset at Ratnagiri beach
Theeba Palace and Museum
The Theeba Palace was built by the British in 1911 for keeping the Burmese King 'Theeba' in confinement. After his death it was used as a government residence for the collector. After a separate residence for collector was built in 1962, Government polytechnic was started there. Today the Theeba Palace also houses a museum.
Theeba Point
The nearby Theeba Point also is a place to see and gives a panoramic view of the city. Lots of people come here in the evenings to see the beautiful view of the sunset.
View from Theeba Point
'Dakshinmukhi' Maruti Temple
The Dakshinmukhi Maruti temple in Ratnagiri city is one of the very few temples of south facing maruti. This temple was built by Swami Samartha Ramdas and later renovated by Shivaji Maharaj.
Bhatye Suru Ban
The entire coast of the Bhatye village is covered with 'Suru' trees and is locally known as Bhatye Suru Ban. The entire area is covered with trees and is very beautiful.
Bhatye beach
The Bhatye beach is a clean and beautiful beach. The beach is less crowded and secluded as it is a little away from the main city. At one end of the beach you can also visit the temple of 'Zhari Vinayak'.
Ratnadurga fort
Ratnadurga and Bhagwati Forts
The Ratnadurga and Bhagwati forts were built during the Bijapur dynasty and captured by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from the Adilshah and fortified by him in 1670. The forts are on a hill and its three sides are sea facing. The forts are spread in an area of 120 Acres. Both the forts are worth seeing and the Bhagwati fort also has a temple of Bhagwati Devi.
You can see the Bhagwati Bander (Port) at the foot of this fort and there is a Lighthouse near the fort from where you can get a view of Ratnagiri city below. The Bhagwati Bander (Port) is a major port on the Konkan coastline.
Ratnagiri Port - Bhagwati Bunder
Shri Swami Swarupanand Math - Pavas
Located at 16 Kms. The Shri Swami Swarupanand Samadhi mandir at pawas has gained much importance as a pilgrim place and lakhs of people visit Pawas every year. The Samadhi mandir was constructed in the memory of Shri Swami Swarupanand Who took a samadhi here on 15th August 1974.
The Temple is very beautiful and you will have a feeling of intense satisfaction and peace as you are in the temple premises. excellently managed by the managing committee and trustees, the temple provides daily 'Mahaprasad' to the visiting devotees.
Kanakaditya Temple - Kasheli
Located at Kasheli, a small village at a distance of 30 kms from Ratnagiri, is the prime attraction for devotees due to the famous and ancient temple of Sri. Kanakaditya ( Sun God) and is one of the very few Temples dedicated to the Sun God.
Fisherman casting his net, Kasheli
Marleshwar Waterfalls
Shri Kshetra Marleshwar is a 'Swayambhu' Temple of Shankar and is situated among high mountains and cliffs. The whole area is very beautiful and lots of people come here. The Marleshwar temple is in a natural cave and further down from the cave there is a beautiful waterfall known as 'Dhareshwar'.
The water drops down from a height of 200 feet and the view is very beautiful. The whole area is covered with dense forest and is a favorite spot of tourists. Marleshwar is 11 Kms. from Angavali village near Sangameshwar and 21 Kms. from Devrukh.
Purnagad Fort
Located at 25 Kms. from Ratnagiri after Pawas, Purnagad fort is spread in an area of 22 acres. The fort is located at the mouth of Muchikund river creek. The fort is in good condition and you can find some cannons in the fort. A walk along the fort will give you a good view of the surrounding area and you will find lots of squirrels running around.
View while going to Pavas
Sangameshwar
Sangameshwar is located near the Mumbai - Goa highway and approximately 50 Kms. from Ratnagiri. There is an ancient Shiv temple at Sangameshwar on the confluence of Shastri and Alaknanda rivers.
The temple is beautiful and constructed in the old Hemadpanthi style, the carvings in the temple are very beautiful. There is also A memorial of Sambhaji Maharaj nearby who was captured here by the Mughals.