ARCHITECT AND BUILDER OF THE WORLD'S TALLEST STONE STRUCTURE
Colossal Statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar at Kanyakumari

Sri.Ganapati Sthapati is the chief architect and builder of the 133 ft. high colossal statue of Saint Thiruvalluvar, on a rock in mid-sea, in the southern tip of the Indain sub-continent. This tallest structure was unveiled in January 2000 by the Honorable Chielf Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi. The project sponsored by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu was done at an estimated cost of Rs. 10 crores. This structural master piece in stone consist of 3,681 pieces, each weighing 3-8 tonnes and has been designed and erected according to the principles of traditional stone sculpting and jointing technology.

SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, Muthurajawela, Colombo

This prestigious project of building an exact replica of the most ancient temple of Sri Ranganatha situated in Trichy, Tamilnadu, in the soil of Sri Lanka has been entrusted in the hands of Sri. V.Ganapathi Sthapati by the Cultural Trust, Government of Sri Lanka. This temple project estimated at Rs. 200 crores, will consist of 7 prakaras, 24 gopuras, spread over an area of 25 acres. The carving works are being carried out at Dr.Sthapati's stone workshop, which will be shipped to Colombo.

OTHER GOVT. SPONSORED PROJECTS

• 1960-Palani - Construction of a five storeyed Gopuram in stone and thirty six Vimanas and renovation of a seven storeyed Gopuram for Sri Dandayuthapani Swamy Devasthanam, HR & CE Dept.
• 1973-New Delhi, Built Vimanam in stone from bottom to top in Chola style for Sri Swaminatha Swami Temple, Malaimandir.
• 1974-Poompuhar, Art Gallery for housing stone sculptures narrating the story of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram.
• 1976 - Chennai, A novel construction - a stone built temple car in memory of Saint Thiruvalluvar, called as Valluvarkottam.
• 1981 -Chennai, Architectural pedestal for statue of Nehru at Kathipara junction.
• 1981-Madurai, Built eight Thorana Vayils - large sized architectural archways for the fifth World Tamil conference.
• 1982 - Madurai, Large sized architectural archway - Thorana Vayil for Kamarajar University.
• 1982 - Tamilnadu, Memorial pillar engraved with golden words of Thanthai Periyar on his centenary celebration.
• 1984 - Trichy, Ornamental and architectural frontage for Bharathidasan University.
• 1985 - Madurai, University memorial pillar for Sangam poet.
• 1985-Paparapatti, Memorial pillar for freedom fighter Subramanya Shiva.
• 1987-Tanjore, Tanjore Circular Library building and Administrative building rectangular plan flexed at the centre with a tower of 123 ft. high, the two architectural edifices sponsored by the Tamil University - Directorate of Technical Education, Chennai.
• 1986 - Chennai, Large sized architectural entrance archway at Anna Nagar West.
• 1987 - Trichy ,Contributed a detailed design for a thirteen storeyed tower of 226 ft. ht. for Sri Rangam Temple for the HR & CE Dept.
• 1992 - Karaikudi, Tamil Thai Temple - in the premises of Kamban Mani Mandapam. A stone-built temple of creative design, to enshrine the personified form of the Tamil Language.
• Circular Library Building,.Tamil University, Tanjore.
• The Administrative Block, Tamil University, Tanjore.
• Architectural entrance archway at Anna Nagar, Chennai
• 2001-Trichy, Renovation of main statue (moola vigraha) of Sri Ranganathan Swamy Temple, Sri Rangam.
  

MASTER SCULPTURES IN STONE

Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Malai Mandir New Delhi in 1973.

Statue of Swaminatha Swami (4'.7" ft. high).
Musical pillar.
Avudaiyar koil kodungai.
Stone chain.
Lion with ball inside the mouth.
Perforated stone Jaalakam called 'Palakani'.

A cow-sculpture with perforation between nostril and ear so that a splinter inserted by one end will emerge across the other end.

All the above fine creations in stone have been housed inside a mandapam located within the premises of the Sri Swaminatha Swamy Temple, New Delhi. This mandapam has been named as "Viswakarma Mandapam" by H.H.Paramacharyal Sankaracharya Swami of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, to signify the extraordinary skill involved in the sculptural works housed inside it.

Poompuhar - 1974

A large sized (8 ft. high) sculpture of Madhavi - the principal character of master dancer of Tamil epic Silappathikaram, Nedunkal Mandram, Elanji Mandram, Paavai Mandram (a stone built monument with sculptures).

Valluvar Kottam - Chennai - 1976

Statue of Thiruvalluvar, larger than life sized, seated on lotus pedestal for Valluvar kottam, the stone chariot.

Panchalankurichi - 1974

Statue of Kattabomman, the first freedom fighter of Tamilnadu - 8 ft. high.

Kentucky , USA - 1980

Statue of Venkateshwara (6 ft. high) with consort and other auxiliary deity.

Madurai - 1981

Statue of Tamil Thai (7 ft. high) - Tamil language personified and enshrined in a chariot commemorating the event of the 5th World Tamil meet. Opened by Honourable Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi in the year 1981.

Mahabalipuram - 1982

Mamalla Stone sculptures for open Air Museum for Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation.

Ratinagiri - 1982

Stone chariot for Bala Murugan Temple, Kizhminnal sponsored by Rev.Swami Balamurugan Adimai.

Chennai - 1987

Statue of the King Samaneethi KandaCholan depicting administration of equal justice - erected in the High Court premises.

Tanjore - 1988

Statue of Valvil Raman (8 ft. long), in a reclining posture with attendant deities at Adanur.

Mamallapuram - 1988

Architectural entrance to the new campus of Govt. College of Architecture & Sculpture, 30 acres.

Bombay - 1989

Gnana Vinayakar statue (4'.7" high), for H.H. Sri Chinmayanandaji.