Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is situated in Hampi village of the south Indian state Karnataka. It houses a colossal monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which has been carved out of a massive boulder at the north-eastern slope of the Hemakuta hill. The statue has an enthralling beauty which attracts tourists from far off regions. The temple derives its name from the belly of the statue which looks similar to the Bengal gram which is known as Kadalekalu in local language. Enclosing the statue, a sanctum has been constructed. In front of the sanctum, there lies a beautiful pillared hall. Unusually tall and slender pillars have structured the open hall. Each of the pillars is intricately adorned with mythical themes. The hall has an admirable architecture with fine proportions and artistry.

The statue of Lord Ganesha rises to a height of about 4.5 metres or 15 feet. It is regarded as one of the largest sculptures of Hampi and has been carved completely from granite. Another fascinating feature that makes the statue very unique is at its backbone where there is a giant disembodied hand supporting the Ganesha. It is believed that the hand belongs to Goddess Parvati who has been personified as the temple. Thus the unique craftsmanship of Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple portrays a huge Ganesha seated on the lap of her mother who supports his back. However the goddess has not been carved by the artisans and the theme has been left for the beholders to explore as per their imaginations. The pillared hall also serves as a vintage point which offers splendid views of the monuments present in the surrounding areas. From there, one can also survey the foothills of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar and the wondrous environs enclosing Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple.

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