World’s Tallest Ganesha Idol in Kolhapur, Maharashtra

Ever wondered which is the tallest and the biggest Ganesh Statue? The 66-feet Chinmaya Ganadhish idol in Kolhapur is at present considered to be the tallest Ganesha idol in the world. The idol sits on 24-feet Dhyana Nilayam (raised platform). Thus the statue is 90 feet from the ground level. This tall Ganapati is a permanent statue unlike the idols created during Ganesh Chaturthi.

The Khairatabad Ganesha, usually more than 40 feet, was considered to be the world’s tallest Ganesh Chaturthi idol but it an idol in Vijayawada for Ganesh Chaturthi 2009 at 58 feet is now the tallest Vinayaka Chaturthi idol.

(Click on the image for a larger view)

Sculptured as mentioned in the Shastras (scriptures), the Ganesh idol is made up of concrete (cement) and weighs around 800 metric tonnes. The idol was completed in 18 months and nearly 50 skilled workers were involved in the construction along with scores of Chinmaya volunteers and Ganesha devotees.

The statue was erected in November 2001 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee year of the Chinmaya Mission. It is located at the Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashram, Toap –Sambhapur, Kolhapur, Maharashtra.

But why such a big Ganesh Idol?

Chinmaya Mission feels a small statue can be raised by a small number of people. But when thousands of Chinmaya devotees all over the world are involved in a project, naturally it has to reach that height.

The statue symbolizes what collective effort and unity can achieve.

Chinmaya Ganadhish is the presiding deity of Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashram situated on the Pune-Bangalore highway National Highway 4 (NH-4). The Ashram is about 15 km from Kolhapur railway station, while going towards Pune.

(Image Courtesy: Chinmaya Mission)