A towering statue of saint Ramanujacharya, named the Statue of Equality, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Hyderabad tomorrow. The complex itself is slated to have an exhibition of Ramanuja’s life and events, a digital library, and laser shows. Here’s everything you need to know. By Eshita Srinivas
Commemorating the 1,000th birth anniversary of saint and social reformer Ramanujacharya, PM Modi will unveil the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad on February 5. The 216-feet tall statue is situated in a sprawling 40-acre courtyard at the Chinna Jeeyar Swamy Ashram, on the outskirts of the city. The 11th-century saint was believed to have advocated for equality in all aspects of living, including faith, cast, and creed.
The Statue of Equality is among the tallest metallic statues in the world
Hon’ble PM Sh @NarendraModi ji will dedicate the #StatueOfEquality to the world on February 5, 2022.
The 216-ft-tall statue of Sri Ramanujacharya, an 11th-century Bhakti Saint & a revolutionary social reformer stands as an epitome of mercy, pleasantness & equality in the world. pic.twitter.com/SYOHZyiLJ3
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) February 3, 2022
The statue, Deccan Herald reports, is made of “panchaloha,” a combination of five metals, namely gold, copper, silver, brass, and zinc and is among the tallest metallic statues, in a sitting position, in the world. Conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram, the statue is mounted on a lotus that sits atop a 54-feet high base building named Bhadra Vedi.
The statue was erected in 2017 but the rest of the construction took four years to complete. Floors here will feature a dedicated digital library and research centre with access to ancient Indian texts, an educational gallery, and a theatre. On the second floor is a temple of Ramanujacharya covering 300,000 square feet and featuring a 120-kilogram gold idol. Ornately carved temples surround the statue, and during the inauguration, a 63, 444 square foot ground floor will play a 3D feature film mapping the life and journey of the saint, according to a report by News 18. The entire structure is said to have cost INR 1,000 crore.
PM Modi will visit Hyderabad on 5th Feb. He’ll visit International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)campus in Patancheru, Hyderabad & kickstart the 50th Anniversary celebrations of ICRISAT. He’ll also dedicate to the nation ‘Statue of Equality’ in Hyderabad pic.twitter.com/UbSMdv8ExG
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2022
Born in 1017, Ramanujacharya is credited with reviving the Bhakti movement and inspiring poets like Mirabai, Kabir, and Ramdas. He is said to have travelled across India advocating social justice and equality. Reportedly, he also appealed for the conservation of natural resources and wrote nine scriptures. He’s often recognized by his propagation of the phrase “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” which translates to all the universe is one family.
Elaborate arrangements have been made for the Prime Minister’s visit, including road repair works and the addition of sufficient lighting fixtures. While in Hyderabad, Modi will also inaugurate two research facilities, namely the Climate Change Research Facility on Plant Protection and the Rapid Generation Advancement Facility. Both have been dedicated to small farmers from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Deccan Chronicle reports.
All images: @Hyderabad1st/Twitter
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