Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Ganapati seated at 3000 feet under open sky; Click here to know history

This unique statue located in Dantewada district is believed to have been established by the Nagavanshi rulers in the 11th century.

New Delhi: Ganeshotsav in India is not limited to the liveliness of cities and the grandeur of pandals. Yes, the statue of Dholkal Ganesh, seated at a height of 3000 feet in the dense forests of Bastar in Chhattisgarh, is a proof of how faith and history are connected to each other.

This place (Dholkal Ganesh Temple), which is about 1000 years old, is still a wonderful confluence of mysteries, folklore and devotion. Come, here we tell you about some interesting things related to it.

Ganeshji had an encounter with Parashuram
This unique statue located in Dantewada district is believed to have been established by the Nagavanshi rulers in the 11th century.

This statue made of black granite stone is about two and a half to three feet high and weighs about 500 kg. Let us tell you, it is carved from a stone shaped like a dholak, due to which this place got its name 'Dholak'. Lord Ganesha is seated here in Lalitasana posture, as if he has an eye on the forests of entire Bastar.

According to local beliefs, this is the place where Parashuram and Ganeshji met. It is said that one of Ganapati's teeth broke due to the blow of a furrow (axe) and the nearby village 'Faraspal' gets its name from this story. Even today, a small temple of Parashuram exists in this village, which keeps this story alive.

Dholak Ganesh is seated under the open sky

What makes the idol of Dholak Ganesh special is its form. Instead of the traditional sacred thread, the symbol of the Naga dynasty - the shape of a snake has been carved here. It is considered a symbol of the influence and identity of the Nagavanshi dynasty. This idol is a unique heritage in itself without any temple or roof under the open sky.

The path passes through dense forests
The path to reach Dholkal is no less than an adventure. The 7 km long walk from Faraspal village passes through dense forests. In this journey, somewhere you find paths with the fragrance of Mogra and somewhere huge ant hills. In between, small waterfalls and the remains of ruined temples of ancient Sun and Goddess Mata are also visible.

Connection to tribal culture
For the tribal communities of Bastar, this is not only a pilgrimage but also a part of their traditions. The local Bhogami tribe believes that their lineage is connected to Dholkal. An old folktale says that the sound of a female priest blowing a conch shell here could be heard till the villages. Every year in the month of Magh, a special fair is organized here in which a crowd of devotees and people from nearby villages throng.

How to reach Dholkal Ganesh Temple?

By air
Raipur and Visakhapatnam are the nearest major airports, both these places are at an equal distance of about 400 km by road from the district headquarters Dantewada. Jagdalpur is the nearest mini airport, which has flight services to both Raipur and Visakhapatnam.

Railway
Visakhapatnam is well connected to the district headquarters Dantewada by rail. Two daily trains are available between Visakhapatnam and Dantewada.

Roadway
Regular bus services are available between Raipur and Dantewada. Dantewada is also well connected to Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam by regular bus services.

What is the right time for darshan?
The winter season (December to February) is the best for this trip. During this time the weather is pleasant and the paths are safe. During the rainy season, the chances of slippery and dangerous conditions increase here.

If you want to experience the spiritual peace hidden in the lap of nature, away from the crowd, on Ganesh Utsav 2025, then you can plan to visit Dholkal Ganesh.