Monolithic Marvels: The Ganeshas Of Hampi

The fifteenth-century Kadalekalu (unsplit Bengal gram in local parlance) Ganesha is one of the largest murtis of the lord that exist in southern India today. Built in the Vijayanagara style architecture, the shrine is situated on the slope of the Hemakuta Hill in Hampi, Karnataka. At a height of 4.6 metres, the giant, monolithic statue of the Ganesha is carved out of a single boulder.

Further south of the hill is the Sasivekalu or mustard seed Ganesha, which is also a monolithic statue, measuring about 2.4 metres. The shrines are some of the magnificent heritage sites that Hampi is known for.