Besides its natural beauty and serenity, Pawas achieved prominence when Swami Swaroopanand (a spiritual leader who influenced an entire generation of Maharashtrians) had made it his abode. The place where he used to reside is now converted into an ashram. A visit there is still like a journey through time.

Following the great saint Dnyaneshwari tradition Swami Swarupanand too tried to spread his teachings in the cannon people. Now due to Swami Swarupanandas work Pawas has become a major place of tourists attraction. He made a new big family of devotees all over Maharashtra by chanting the Mantra 'Om Ram Krishna Hari'. He stayed here for a period of 40 years. Pawas is now one of the important holy places of Konkan. Samadhi of Swami Swarupananda is there in the Pawas & also temple has been built for his devotees. The special variety of eatables of Konkan like 'Fanaspoli', Ambapoli, Amras & other different Konkans items are available to the tourists at a very reasonable rate. Near Swarupanandas Samadhi on the Avala tree lord Ganesh Statue has appeared. People definately visit this place & also the house 'Anant Niwas' where Swami Swarupananda stayed. It is 20 km. from Ratnagiri.  

Getting there

By Road : Mumbai to Ganapatipule (via Mahad) is 375 kms. Pune to Ganapatipule (via Satara) is 331 kms. Kolhapur to Ganapatipule is 144 kms.
By Rail : Nearest Railway Ratnagiri
By Air : Mumbai, Ratnagiri

Places to see near by

Malgud	Marleshwar
Jaigad Fort	Dervan
Ratnagiri	Parshuram
Velneshwar