Visitor Information
- Famous For: Pilgrimage, Sculpture, Architecture, Photography, History and Tourism
- Entrance Fee: The entry is free.
- Visiting Time: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Visit Duration: The visit duration is approximately an hour or two.
The historic town of Hampi, is located in the state of Karnataka and is home to ancient Hindu temples. Declared as a heritage site by UNESCO, Hampi attracts millions of tourists annually. One of the major sightseeing spots is the Kadalekalu Ganesha, which hosts a massive statue of Lord Ganesha whose height is almost equivalent to three times the average height of an adult male.
Traveller Tips
- During summer, Hampi has soaring temperatures. In case, you are paying a visit to the Kadalekalu Ganesha, during summer, carry your umbrella and lots of water. Wear appropriate clothing that suits the weather.
- The view from the Kadalekalu Ganesha which is located much above the ground level, offers a pretty panorama of the regions of Hampi. So, make sure you take your camera with you.
Things to Do
- The architecture of this temple is fabulous and you can simply keep gazing at the giant-sized statue of Lord Ganesha.
- The location is desirable for photography. The picturesque scenes that one can view here, can always be remembered, if you capture them using your camera.
- For bird lovers, this place is ideal. In the early mornings, when calmness is all over the place, you can spot flocks of birds including parrots, come rest there.
Availability of Guides
Local guides, fluent in English, are easily available here. To know more about the history and architecture of the temple, it is recommended that tourists interact with guides.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha, is during October to February, when the weather is fine. You can also visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha during the summer season, if you can cope up with the heat.
How to Reach
The humble town of Hampi is connected by road to most cities of Karnataka. Direct buses are available from Bangalore to Hampi. One can reach Hampi easily, after landing at Bangalore which is a very well-connected city. The nearest airports to Hampi are the airports of Bellary and Bangalore. From the airports, you can hire a cab or take a bus to Hampi. The nearest railway station to Hampi is the Hospet station. From Hospet, one needs to travel thirteen kilometres by roadways to reach Hampi. One can take a local bus or hire a cab to reach the Kadalekalu Ganesha temple.
Interesting Facts and Trivia About Kadalekalu Ganesha
- The Kadalekalu Ganesha sculpture is a very huge statue, approximately 15 feet in height. This is one of the most massive Ganesha statues in the entire nation.
- ‘Kadalekalu’ in Kannada, translates to ‘Bengal gram’. The statue gets its name due to the resemblance of the Lord Ganesha’s belly with that of a Bengal gram.
- The Kadalekalu Ganesha is located in the slopes of Hemakuta hill.
- The statue is sculpted from a single enormous rock.
- The statue lies within a sanctum which is bordered by tall narrow pillars. The pillars are carved with images depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
- The pillars are cubical and are made of granite. These pillars are paradigms of the Vijayanagara architectural style.
- South of the Kadalekalu Ganesha, lies the temple of Sasivekalu Ganesha.
Nearby Attractions
- Vittala Bazaar
- Sasivekalu Ganesha
- Daroji Bear Sanctuary
- Virupaksha Temple
- Hampi Monuments
- Matanga Hill
- Hemakuta Hill Temple
- Pampa Sarovar
Nearby Restaurants
- Shesh Besh Restaurant
- Suresh Restaurant
- Sri Venkateshwara Hotel
- Mango Tree Restaurant
- The Chill Out
- Laughing Buddha
- Geetha Riverview Restaurant
- The Goan Corner
- Tibetan Kitchen
- Archana Guest House
- Funky Monkey
- Sasi Restaurant
- Golden Paradise
Hampi is well known for its grand Hindu temples, that are hundreds of years old. To get a taste of the historic heritage of the serene town of Hampi, visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha, with friends and family.
