Marjing Polo Statue

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Marjing Polo Statue
Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam [1]
Marjing Polo Statue -- World's tallest statue of a polo player -- Classical monumental Meitei equestrian sculpture -- G20 summit -- Cultural heritage of Meitei civilization -- Cradle of "modern polo".jpg
Marjing Polo Statue, the world's tallest statue of a polo player, during the G20 summit, commemorating Meitei civilization, as the Cradle of "modern polo" [2]
Marjing Polo Statue
24°52′46″N93°57′15″E / 24.87937°N 93.95405°E / 24.87937; 93.95405
Location Marjing Polo Complex, Heingang Ching (Marjing hills), Heingang, Imphal East District, Manipur
DesignerProfessor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University [3] [4]
Type equestrian statue
Material steel (inner material) and bronze (outer material) [3] [4]
Height122 feet (37 m) [lower-alpha 1] [5] [6] (previously planned on "160 feet (49 m)" [7] [8] )
Beginning dateApril 2016 [8]
Completion dateNovember 2022 [9]
Opening date6 January 2023
Dedicated to Marjing, Sagol Kangjei and Meitei horse (Manipuri pony)
Inaugurated by Amit Shah [5]

The Marjing Polo Statue (Meitei : Marjing Sagol Kangjei Mitam) is a colossal classical equestrian statue of a player of Sagol Kangjei ( Meitei for ' polo game'), riding a Meitei horse (Manipuri pony), constructed at the Marjing Polo Complex, the sacred sports site dedicated to God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of polo and horses, in Heingang, Imphal East District, Kangleipak ( Meitei for ' Manipur '). [10] [4] It is the world's tallest statue of a polo player. [11] [12] [4] It is built to commemorate the game of "modern polo" being originated from Kangleipak ( Meitei for ' Manipur '). [13] [14] [9]

Contents

Description

The Marjing Polo Statue is 122 feet (37 m) tall. [15] [6] The cost of construction of the statue is 39 crore (US$4.7 million). [5] [16]

The gigantic polo statue stands above a pedestal of a three-storey building, with recreational facilities. [14]

The statue's inner structure is made of steel and its outer surface is covered by bronze. Its design is prepared by Professor Somnath Ghose of Jadavpur University. [3] [4]

Previously, during January-April 2016, the Government of Manipur planned to build the statue with a height of 160 feet (49 m) at the construction cost of 12 crore (equivalent to 17 croreorUS$2.1 million in 2023). [17] [8]

Prior to the construction of the statue, a roadway was made up to the base of the place where the statue was to be built, for which permission was granted to the construction team by the Ministry of Environment and Forest. [3] [4]

Marjing Polo Statue during construction    .jpg
Marjing Polo Statue during construction

Inauguration

On 6 January 2023, the Marjing Polo Statue was inaugurated by Amit Shah, the then Minister of Home Affairs of the Union Government of India, [15] [6] [18] in the presence of Nongthombam Biren, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, [19] at a function organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Manipur. [20]

Regarding the inauguration, Amit Shah stated:

"It is believed that Sagol Kangjei, the modern-day Polo game originated in Manipur. Today, inaugurated a 122 feet Marjing polo statue at the Marjing Polo Complex in Imphal. This will surely take the legacy forward and inspire more youngsters toward the game."

Amit Shah, 06-01-2023 [19] [18]

Significance

Nongthombam Biren, the Chief Minister of Manipur, said that the 122 feet tall Marjing polo statue will "highlight the significance of the birthplace of Polo and revive the glory of Manipur". [18] [19] He also stressed the significance of the statue, being the tallest and the biggest polo statue, inaugurated in recognition of Sagol Kangjei, Sagol Lanmi ( Meitei for 'cavalry'), Arambai, etc. [20]

See also

Notes

  1. Many news websites mislead the height as "110 feet", "120 feet", etc.

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The Heingang Ching, also known as the Meitei: Marjing Hill, is a hill in Heingang, Imphal East district of Kangleipak. In Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism), Heingang Ching is a sacred mountain and the home of God Marjing, the ancient Meitei deity of Sagol Kangjei, Khong Kangjei, and Meitei horse.

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References

  1. "জি-২০ দেলিগেদশিংগী মনিপুর খোঙচৎকী নিনি চনবা নুমিত্তা পুৱারিগা শাগোন্নবা মফমশিং অমসুং লমকোয়ফমশিংদা য়েংখ্রে". pib.gov.in (in Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. "Excursion to historic and places of tourists interest marks the second day of G20 delegates visit to Manipur". pib.gov.in (in English and Manipuri). Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India). Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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