Chinmay Ganadhish - History, Timings & Entry Fee

Pilgrimage

Photo Credit: Flickr

Distance (From Kolhapur): 15 Kms

Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour

Place Location: At Toap-Sambhapur

Transportation Options: Bus / Cab

Travel Tips: None

At a distance of 15 km from Kolhapur, Chinmay Ganadhish is a Hindu temple located at Toap-Sambhapur, near Kolhapur. Located on the Pune- Bangalore Highway, it is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Kolhapur.

Located in Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashram, Chinmaya Ganadhish is the tallest statue of Hindu god Ganesh in the entire world. The whole structure consists of a 61 feet Ganapati seated on a 24 feet tall Meditation hall. The circular structure has a diameter of about 60 feet and weighs about 800 tonnes. About 24 pillars support the Ganesha idol. Fifty skilled workers, specially called from Shimoga worked hard for about a year to complete the structure. It was unveiled by Parampujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji in 2001.

The idol is seated on a five-headed snake and is made of cement, iron rods, clay, and plaster of Paris. The colossal Ganesh statue has become a magnet for hundreds of travelers, who take a detour off the highway to visit the idol. Every morning worship to the Lord is offered while in the evening aarti is performed. It attracts a huge number of visitors during the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations when over 5,000 devotees make their way to Toap-Sambhapur.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free