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Chinmaya Ganadhish
Chinmaya Ganadhish Statue located at Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashram, Toap – Sambhapur, Kolhapur, Maharashtra State of India is one of the tallest Ganesh images established in India. This is the principal idol of this Ashram situated on Pune Bangalore Highway, National Highway No 4.
This is a permanent Statue constructed according to the prescriptions found in Vedic literature. There are big sized Ganesh Idols made out for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, a grand festival celebrated in India, after which the Idol is immersed in waters with a grand procession preceding that. Sea shores and river sides would be wearing a festive look on these days. Ganesh Chaturthi falls mostly in the Month of October according to the moon’s phase occurring in that month.
Among the Ganesh Chaturthi idols, the Khairatabad Ganesha is usually made of about 40 ft height, while in 2009, the Vijayawada Ganesh Chaturthi Idol was made of 58 feet height. However, the Chinmaya Ganadhish idol is 66 feet tall and it is considered the tallest in the world as of now. The idol is further placed on a platform of 24 ft height thus making the total height to 90 ft, creating amazement to the onlooker.
Origin
The Chinmaya Ganadhish statue was installed in November 2001 for commemorating the Golden Jubilee occasion of the Chinmaya Mission. The organisers were of the view that the idol should be huge giving an awesome appearance, since this cause is supported by millions of people. They felt small statue would do if small number of people was involved and when such large number had contributed, the figure should reflect that size of devotees.
The Statue has been sculptured according to the Shastras (scriptures) and it is made up of cement concrete weighing around 800 metric tonnes. The construction of the idol took 18 months’ time and nearly 50 skilled workers worked on its construction supported by scores of Chinmaya volunteers and Ganesha devotees.
Chinmaya Ganadhish statue was inaugurated by Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda. Chinmaya Seva Trust, Maharashtra and the entire project was accomplished under the able guidance of Pujya Swami Purushottamananda, head of Chinmaya Mission for the region composed of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa (West Zone).
Structure
The whole structure of Ganesha Idol is of a 66 ft with Ganapati image seated on a 24 ft tall Meditation platform. The platform is of circular structure having a diameter of about 60 ft and the whole structure weighs about 800 tonnes. To support the Ganesha Idol, 24 pillars have been fixed and those fifty skilled idol makers were specially called from Shimoga, Karnataka, which is known for making sculptures and concrete form idols.
Tourism Features
Chinmaya Ganadhish is considered a holy pilgrimage place and millions of devotees visit this place throughout the year. Large gatherings assemble here especially on Sankathara Chaturthi days, while puja offerings are done with Vedic chanting. In the evenings, the ritual of Aarti is performed when the entire area becomes very crowded.
Apart from Chinmaya Ganadhish, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in this location and the temple is called Kailasanath Temple. This name was suggested by Pujya Swami Chinamayananda. As Kolhapur is also known as Dakshin Kashi (Kashi of the South), this Kailasanath temple acquires special significance drawing devotees from all parts of the country. The principal deity here is in the form of Shiva Linga made of black stone, while the temple houses Sphatika Linga given by Pujya Gurudev.
How to Reach
Chinmaya Sandeepany Ashram is in a 15 km distance from Chatrapati Shahu Maharaj Terminus. Nearest Railway Station is Kolhapur and there are plenty of trains available from Mumbai and Bangalore to reach this place.
There are frequent buses from Pune, Bangalore and Mumbai to Kolhapur. Kolhapur has an airport, however Pune and Mumbai airports are more convenient airports for an international traveller to reach Kolhapur.
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