NEW DELHI, Oct 29: A 369-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, claimed to be the world’s tallest, was unveiled in Nathdwara town of Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district, about 45 kilometres from Uadaipur city, on Saturday.
The ‘Viswas Swaroopam’ statue constructed by Tat Padam Sansthan, was jointly inaugurated by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, the religious preacher Morari Bapu and the Rajasthan Assembly speaker CP Joshi. Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Gulab Chand Kataria and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
“Ram Katha’s every context gives a message of love, harmony and brotherhood, which is required most in the country today. Such kathas should be organised everywhere in the country and are being held also,” Ashok Gehlot said.
A series of religious, spiritual and cultural events will be held for nine days from Saturday at the venue. Morari Bapu will also recite Ram Katha.
Built on a hill of 51 bighas, the statue is styled in a posture of meditation, and is said to be visible from 20 km away. The statue is also clearly visible at night as it has been illuminated with special lights.
It took 10 years to construct the statue. As many as 3,000 tonnes of steel and iron and 2.5 lakh cubic tonnes of concrete and sand have been used in the construction. The foundation of the project was laid in August 2012 in the presence of Gehlot, who was the chief minister then as well, and Morari Bapu.
(Manas Dasgupta)