Hemakuta Hill is one of the tallest hills in Hampi. There are large number of temples, archways and pavilions on this hill. The climb to this hill is not as steep as the nearby Matunga Hill. The Hemakuta Hill top is almost a flat expanse of rocky sheet with occasional ups and downs. From the top it offers splendid view of ruins all around the Hampi. The most of the temples in this area are dedicated to Lord Siva, the major one being the Virupaksha temple at the north of this hill. All the images can be clicked for bigger view.
The two most important shrines on this hills are dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Sasivekalu Ganesha
Located on the Southern foothill of the Hemakuta Hill, the giant monolithic Ganesha statue is locally called Sasivekalu Ganesha. The name is due to its resemblance to the sasivekalu (mustard seed).
The monolithic statue is carved out of a huge boulder measuring about 2.4 meters (8 feet). On the statue around the tummy the snake is carved. The three hands hold the goad, pasha (noose), and his broken tusk. The fourth hand which holds modak (sweet ball) is broken and not reconstructed.
An open pavilion is build around the statue. According to inscriptions found nearby this pavilion was built by a trader from Chandragiri in 1506 AD, in memory of one of the Vijayanagara king – Narasimha II (1491-1505 AD).
Kadalekalu Ganesha
On the northeastern slope of the Hemakuta Hill is another giant statue of Ganesha, called The Kadalekalu Ganesha. The name is due to its resemblance to the kadalekalu (Bengal gram). This also happens to be north of Sasivekalu Ganesha.
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Even this giant statue of Ganesha was carved out of a huge boulder. This statue measures 4.5 meters (15 feet) tall. A sanctum is built around the statue. The pillared hall in front of this sanctum is as charming as this giant statue itself. The open hall constructed by unusually slender and tall pillars. Each of them is highly ornate with mythical themes.
The two most important shrines on this hills are dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
Sasivekalu Ganesha
Located on the Southern foothill of the Hemakuta Hill, the giant monolithic Ganesha statue is locally called Sasivekalu Ganesha. The name is due to its resemblance to the sasivekalu (mustard seed).
The monolithic statue is carved out of a huge boulder measuring about 2.4 meters (8 feet). On the statue around the tummy the snake is carved. The three hands hold the goad, pasha (noose), and his broken tusk. The fourth hand which holds modak (sweet ball) is broken and not reconstructed.
An open pavilion is build around the statue. According to inscriptions found nearby this pavilion was built by a trader from Chandragiri in 1506 AD, in memory of one of the Vijayanagara king – Narasimha II (1491-1505 AD).
Kadalekalu Ganesha
On the northeastern slope of the Hemakuta Hill is another giant statue of Ganesha, called The Kadalekalu Ganesha. The name is due to its resemblance to the kadalekalu (Bengal gram). This also happens to be north of Sasivekalu Ganesha.
Even this giant statue of Ganesha was carved out of a huge boulder. This statue measures 4.5 meters (15 feet) tall. A sanctum is built around the statue. The pillared hall in front of this sanctum is as charming as this giant statue itself. The open hall constructed by unusually slender and tall pillars. Each of them is highly ornate with mythical themes.
53 comments:
Lovely statues...
Interesting statues; I would have never guessed that they were that tall. Both are much taller than me.;)) It must be some sight to be standing in front of them.;)
My little Ganesha is very resembling
to second.
:-)
Thanks for the beautiful pictures!
amazing shrine..the architecture speaks it all
Incredible!!
Thanks for the Valuable information...
Very inpressive this statue and so old. Thanks for the interesting information
Marvelous post, Rajesh! You always have wonderful photos and wonderful information to make them even more beautiful and interesting! Wish I could see them for real!
Have a great week!
Sylvia
Very interesting. There's news once over here that the god can drink milk offered to the god. Scientific explanation was that the stone that the God carved out from can absorb the milk.
Great details shared.
Fantastic post,
so beautiful shots all,
and very interesting words :)
Nice post and shots.
Many Indian statues have plump, round bellies. Beautiful photos.
excellent stone work
What a immensely beautiful culture you have! I was always interested in the figure of Ganesha. Thanks for this post!
I love seeing you world. It's always so interesting and so different from my world.
Such historical wonders are humbling to see.
Beautiful historic and religious building.
Those are great photos. And thanks for the info about the statues. Quite interesting.
Great post once again. I should really thank you for sharing these posts. Some of the places that you've mentioned and posted here wee completely unknown to me. Had a great time reading your blog! Once again :-)
interesting statue and intricate carving... :)
Nice statues just take a long time to access since they do not come up on the post.
Very interesting statues !
Loved reading about this. Unfortunately, your photos didn't load so I can't see them.
The statues are fantastic. Very interesting post.
makes me want to go to India.
Cheers
Your pictures did not load, but your narrative was so rich that I feel I can see this wonderful place.
Thanks for the interesting post and photos of your part of the world. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a great week.
Smiles
Ah... now I can see Ganesha in all his glory! Thanks.
Fascinating world you live in. The statues are unique so far as I'm concerned and I appreciate very much the opportunity to see them and learn of your world.
Hi Rajesh:)
Your photos are amazing and your narration is excellent. I am getting to know so many gorgeous places in India through your lovely posts.
Many thanks.
Have a nice day Rajesh:)
Joseph
Loved the pictures and the details as usual are great!Really its a pleasure exploring India with you and Indrani
Thanks for the photos and information about this interesting site.
That truly is a huge boulder to be carving. I always admire folks that can look at something and start cutting bits away and end up with an amazing piece of art!
Spirithelpers
Outstanding post, so very interesting and those statues are truly magnificent. Thank you for sharing them.
It must be so impressive to see this in person. Thanks for sharing.
To think that someone carved them so many hundred years ago and people are still seeing them today!
Old shrines and statues always give me goosebumps. I can't help thinking about the dedication and the passion of the artists.
So attractive statues, very interesting.
Got something for you on my blog...check it out
Congrats...!
wow that is fantastic! thank you for the info. hampi is sure now on my must visit places!
My goodness Rajesh, I wonder how lont it took them to carve the rock and how they got it there on the first place. Another very interesting post. Thank you.
Great pieces of Art ... I am sure it was only their devotion that lead them to create these magnificent idols.
thanks for sharing this post. to stand in the temple must b a spiritual experience by itself
Beautiful photos!!
Nice pictures. Nice post. I wish I could visit Hampi sometime soon. I saw it so very long ago.
It is humbling to see these magnificent sculptures. Having been to many of these, they conjur warm memories of days bygone.
Nostalgia has bit me hard these days and every other post of mine has been about those days of childhood in Bangalore when life was perfect, like in More's Utopia and this picture riddled post just adds to it !
Well written too..
Madhu Rao
www.indimag.com
Very interesting read. Thanks for sharing. The pictures are lovely and inspiring as well.
It was nice details not on the shrines and ganesha!
Gorgeous Ganeshas. Thanks for sharing
Protege: Thanks, both the statues are very tall and carved out from the boulders.
Rush, Marja: Thanks, it is beautiful even after the ruined by the massacres.
Turquoise, Pranksygang, Regina, Deepak, Gattina, Marju, Ram: Thank you.
Asta: Thanks for the appreciation and honoring me with the award.
amatamari, Tarun, Indrani, Babooshka, Luiz: Thanks for the appreciation.
Sylvia, Anya, Bettyl: Thanks for the appreciation. I shall try to keep my other posts also interesting.
Arabesque, Arija, Carver, Carolyn, Sandy, LadyFi, Regina: Thanks for the appreciation.
Alicesg: Thanks, small things will keep happening until proven wrong.
Wolynski: Thanks. Not all the statues are plump. It is only Ganesha statues that are like this.
Sandy: Thanks, I am glad you could appreciate it, in spite of the problem with loading of pictures.
Wil: Thanks, nice to know about the interest in the figure of Ganesha.
Hipchick: Thanks, all the places are intersting and unique.
Kcalpesh: Thanks. I am happy to know that I am able to show you different world that you had not seen before.
Fish Whisperer: Thanks, you are most welcome.
Jacob: Thanks for the appreciation. Ganesha statues are definitely unique.
Joseph: Thanks, I am glad that I am able to show new places.
Sujata: Thanks for the appreciation. I am glad you are exploring India with me.
George, Denise, Hillary, Pietro, Madhu, Shireena, Jeevan: Thanks for the appreciation.
Tammie, Aparna, Joan, Sumandebray: Thanks. This place is full of boulders. Most of the temples and statues are carved out of the boulders. They had amazing patience to cave beautiful sculptures out of boulders.
Baron: Thanks for the honor.
Radha: Thanks, I have been to this place twice, but still feel I have
missed some more sites here.
Bengbeng, Babooshka: Thanks, it is amazing place to be in.
magiceye: Thanks, nice to know this place is in your must visit list.
the pictures and articles are too good. I have never seen this place but i felt like having visited there after reading this.
Amazing sculptures! I have always been intrigued by the craftsmanship that goes into these.
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