The district of Ratnagiri, at a distance of 400 Kms from Mumbai, is located in the south-western region of the Maharashtra state on the Arabian coast. This district is bounded by the sahyadri hills in the east and Arabian Sea in the west.

Some of the most remarkable religious spots in Ratnagiri are

Marleshwar Temple 

Marleshwar Temple, the Temple of Lord Shiva, is located in the lap of the cascading waters of the Dhareshwar waterfall in Marleshwar, Ratnagiri district. It is an ancient temple and is built in a cave. It requires climbing 520 steps to reach the sacred shrine.

This sacred shrine is visited by believers from all over India especially during Mahashivratri and Makar Sankranti as these are considered the main festivals of the shrine.

Near the temple, Dhareshwar waterfall can be seen. Local belief is that Lord Parshuram laid the foundation of the temple. Many snakes can be seen in the cave but there has been no complaint of any devotees being bitten. This has resulted in the increased faith of the devotees. The Sahyadri Mountain ranges can be seen from the temple.

Parshuram Temple 

Parshuram village is situated at a height of more than 1000 feet from sea level. In many scriptures it has been mentioned that, lord Parshuram stayed at “Mahendragiri” for his austerity after renunciation of his power. This Mahendragiri is nothing but “Parshuram” village.

Famous for the 6th incarnation of Vishnu, the temple is resplendent with fabulous architectural beauty, which incorporates both the Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture.

The steps from the Ghat lead straight to the temple premises. The main temple structure is surrounded by stone walls and houses three elaborate idols inside the temple. It was built around 300 years ago by Brahmendra Swami. It is believed that since Parashuram created Konkan land, also known as Parashuram Bhumi, he is also automatically the presiding deity of the Konkan region.

There is a temple of Goddess Renuka behind the Parashuram Temple. It is believed that Parashuram’s powerful five arrows created the primary water source here, which officially goes by the name Banganga Lake.

Babar Shah Peer Dargah

This is a muslim saint shrine located in hatis village of Ratnagiri. Thousands of hindu and muslim devotees visit this shrine to pay tribute to Baba Shah Peer who is also known as the King of Ratnagiri.

Shaikh Ali Baba Dargah

The mausoleum of Hazarat sheikh hasan lies in between waters in Purnagar Village and Gaokhadi Village of Ratnagiri. It is a floating shrine in water. It is located in the spot where Goa and Ratnagiri water join with each other. There is no route to visit the shrine so people walk through the water at 3:00 pm to visit the saint’s tomb. There are many visitors of all religions.

Ganga of Rajapur

The “Ganga of Rajapur” is a unique natural phenomenon created by a syphon from a closely located mountain. After a duration of three years, fourteen small pools of water of varying temperatures separated from each other by a small distance if 3ft are formed. According to a legend, the holy Ganga matha visits this place to please her devotees.

Shri Dev Vyadeshwar 

Shri Dev Vyadeshwar located in Guhagar, Ratnagiri district is a Hindu temple dedicated to the God Shiva. It is considered the Kuladevata (Clan God) of many Chitpavan families from the Konkan region.

According to Hindu mythology, sage Parashurama created the land of Konkan and  asked various deities to settle in the newly created land and protect the resident clans. Parashurama was a devotee of the god Shiva, requested that the God appear to him daily, so Shiva appeared in 60 places where temples were built. The sage Vyad then installed the lingam of Shiva at this temple in Guhagar. The Shiva icon and temple was thus called Vyadeshwar (the Lord of Vyad).

Vyadeshwar was lost to time and rediscovered in the era of King Sakuran, when the current temple structure was constructed. During the month of Shravan and Kartik, the whole region turns into a pilgrimage.

Source:

http://www.kokansearch.com/temples/english/temples_in_ratnagiri/marleshwar/

https://www.holidify.com/places/chiplun/marleshwar-temple-sightseeing-4392.html

http://ratnagiri.maharashtraonline.in/city-guide/religious-spots-in-ratnagiri

https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/maharashtra/districts/ratnagiri.htm

http://nriguide.in/remarkable-ratnagiri/

http://ratnagiri.maharashtraonline.in/city-guide/religious-spots-in-ratnagiri

http://www.kokansearch.com/temples/english/temples_in_ratnagiri/parshuram/

http://www.ratnagiriinfo.com/tourism/PARSHURAM.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vyadeshwar