Statue of Equality (Ramanuja)

Last updated

Statue of Equality (Ramanuja statue)
Statue of Equality (Ramanuja).jpg
Ramanuja statue
Statue of Equality (Ramanuja)
17°11′10″N78°20′00″E / 17.1860°N 78.3332°E / 17.1860; 78.3332
Location Muchintal, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
DesignerDNV Prasad Sthapathi
Type Statue
Material Steel Framing, Panchaloha
Height66 metres (216 ft)
Beginning date2 May 2014 (2014-05-02) [1]
Inauguration date5 February 2022;23 months ago (2022-02-05)
Dedicated to Ramanuja
Website www.statueofequality.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Statue of Equality is a statue of the 11th-century Indian philosopher Ramanuja, located on the premises of the Chinna Jeeyar Trust at Muchintal, Ranga Reddy district in the outskirts of Hyderabad. [2] It is the second tallest sitting statue in the world. The project of building the statue was conceptualised by the trust to commemorate 1,000 year birth anniversary of Ramanuja, costing an estimated 1,000 crore (US$130 million), the project was paid for through the donations of devotees in a major part.

Contents

Design and construction

Design

In 2014, ascetic Chinna Jeeyar came up with the idea to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of Ramanuja's teachings by building a statue. [3] [ better source needed ] Later DNV Prasad Sthapathi appointed as Chief Architect for the project and completed all initial drawings under the Chinna Jeeyer Guidance. The ground floor will be 6,000 square metres and will depict Ramanuja's life and philosophy. The temple, meant for daily worship, will be located on the 27,870 square metre second floor. The 1,365 square metre third floor will include a Vedic digital library and research centre. [4] [ additional citation(s) needed ] An Omnimax theatre in the shape of a planetarium featuring life stories of Ramanuja was planned. [5] 14 models were designed according to Agama Shashtra and Shilpa Shastras. 3 models were shortlisted, and improvements were made using 3D scanning technology. [6]

It was named 'Statue of Equality' by the trust.

Funding

The statue was built at an estimated cost of 1,000 crore (US$130 million), which is majorly collected from donations by the devotees. [7]

Construction

The foundation stone for the statue was laid by Chinna Jeeyar.[ citation needed ] The statue was expected to be ready by November 2017 and later revised to February 2019. [5] [8] [9] Aerosun Corporation, a Nanjing-based company, was contracted in August 2015 for the construction of the statue. [6] [9] The final design model was 3D scanned and sent to Aerosun Corporation to be built. 700 tonnes of panchaloha , a five-metal alloy of gold, silver, copper, brass and zinc[ clarification needed ] was used to build the statue. [9] It was built in China and later shipped in 1600 individual pieces to India via Chennai Port in 54 shipments. Around 60 Chinese specialists including workers, engineers and welders assembled the segments on site. The assembly progressed during 2017 and 2018 and took 15 months to complete. [10] [8] [6] and was assembled on site Muchintal, Hyderabad. Aerosun Corporation provided a guarantee of 20 years for the golden hue of the statue. [7]

The base building under the statue named Bhadravedi is 16 metres (54 ft) tall and three-stories high. [8] Atop the building lies a lotus of 8.2 metres (27 ft) in diameter, [5] and is carried by 36 elephants, over which the statue sits. [9] The 8.2 metres (27 ft) dimension of the lotus represent 24 tattvas , and the remaining 3 representing soul, god and the guru. [5] The statue has a concrete core which is surrounded by a panchaloha sheet with a thickness varying between 10 mm and 20 mm. [9] The base building has a meditation hall where a 54 inches (1.4 m) statue of Ramunuja made of 120 kg of gold, representing the years he lived, is installed. [11] 108 divyadesams (model temples), built in stone, surround the statue. [8]

The statue was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 5 February 2022. [12] The smaller golden statue inside the base building was inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind on 13 February 2022. [13]

Features

The Statue of Equality is the second tallest sitting statue in the world. [11] The base building hosts a vedic digital library, research centre, ancient Indian texts, theatre and a gallery. Ramanuja's works are presented in the gallery. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramanuja</span> 12th-century Indian Hindu philosopher

Ramanuja, also known as Ramanujacharya, was an Indian Hindu philosopher, guru and a social reformer. He is noted to be one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah</span> Sixth Sultan of Qutb Shahi dynasty

Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah was the sixth ruler of the kingdom of Golconda in southern India under the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System</span> Transport system of Hyderabad, India

The Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System, commonly abbreviated as MMTS, is a suburban rail system in Hyderabad, India. A joint venture of the Government of Telangana and the South Central Railway, it is operated by the latter. The 90-kilometre (56 mi) system operates to cater the city of Hyderabad and the neighbouring suburban areas connecting Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Falaknuma, Lingampally, Medchal and Umdanagar with a total of 133 MMTS services. Currently 86 MMTS services are being operated due to the effect of COVID-19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nizam Museum</span>

Nizam's Museum or H.E.H Nizam's Museum is a museum located in Hyderabad at Purani Haveli, a palace of the erstwhile Nizams. This museum showcases the gifts that the last Nizam of Hyderabad State, Osman Ali Khan, Asaf Jah VII received on his silver jubilee celebrations. The museum is a repository mainly of souvenirs, gifts and mementos presented by dignitaries to the last Nizam on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations in 1936. Models made of silver of all the landmark buildings in Hyderabad, with citations about them in Urdu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Purana pul</span> Bridge in Telangana, India

Purana Pul, built in 1578 AD is a bridge over river Musi in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is the first bridge ever constructed in Hyderabad and among the oldest in South India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secunderabad–Bolarum route</span>

The Secunderabad–Bolarum is a suburban rail service of the Multi-Modal Transport System of Hyderabad, India. Spanning 11 stations, it runs between Secunderabad and Bolarum 5 times a day.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. Chandrashekar Rao</span> Chief Minister of Telangana from 2014 to 2023

Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, frequently known by his initials KCR, is an Indian politician currently representing the Gajwel Assembly constituency and serving as the leader of the opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. He is the founder and leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, a state party in India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinna Jeeyar</span> Indian religious guru and yogi ascetic

Chinna Jeeyar, more formally known as Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swami, is an Indian religious guru and yogi ascetic known for his spiritual discourses on Sri Vaishnavism. He subscribes to Thenkalai tradition of Sri Vaishnavism. He operates spiritual centers in India and the US. He is the designer and planner of the Statue of Equality, a statue dedicated to Ramanujacharya, in Hyderabad, India. He is also guiding Telangana State Government in the renovation of Yadadri Temple. He is one of the few Jiyars who accepts disciples irrespective of their castes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goshamahal Baradari</span> Baradari in Telangana, India

Goshamahal Baradari (Freemasons' Hall) is a building constructed in 1682 located in Goshamahal, a suburb of Hyderabad, India. It is a well-preserved baradari that originally served as a palace during the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It was donated for use as a Masonic hall in 1872 by the Nizam of Hyderabad, and has held the distinction of the oldest structure serving as an active masonic lodge in India since 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aliya High School for Boys</span> School in India

Aliya High School for Boys, previously known as Madrassa-e-Aliya, is a government-owned school located at Gunfoundry, Hyderabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musheerabad Mosque</span> Mosque Build in 1611

The Musheerabad MasjidOr MASJID E KALAN, is a mosque located in the Musheerabad locality of Hyderabad, India. The original portion was constructed in 1560 AD by Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, the fourth Sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and is identical to the Hayat Bakshi Mosque located in Hayathnagar area of Hyderabad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Telangana</span>

The architecture of Telangana dates back over two thousand years. The Indian state of Telangana is in the Deccan plateau, bordering the coastal plain of Andhra Pradesh. It has produced regional variants of wider styles of Indian architecture, both in Hindu temple architecture and Indo-Islamic architecture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Architecture of Hyderabad</span>

A distinct Indo-Islamic architecture style with local contribution is reflected in the historical buildings of Hyderabad, making it the first and "Best Heritage City of India" as of March 2012. The city houses many famous historical sites constructed during Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi period, including various mosques and palaces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zain Yar Jung</span>

Zain Yar Jung (1889–1961) was an architect. He served as the Chief Architect of Hyderabad State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qutb Shahi architecture</span> Indo-Islamic architectural style

Qutb Shahi architecture is the distinct style of Indo-Islamic architecture developed during the reign of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, also known as the Golconda Sultanate.

DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are five specialised research laboratories located in five different cities of India, inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India on 2 January 2020. Each laboratory deals with a focused area of science - artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cognitive technologies, asymmetric technologies and smart materials. The labs are located in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad. As per the norms laid out, everyone, including director, at the labs is under 35 years of age. DRDO Chairman G.Satheesh Reddy conveyed to The Hindu on 3 January 2020 that the laboratories are formally operational.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jama Mosque, Golconda</span> Indian Mosque

Jama Masjid is a 505 year old Mosque in Golconda, Hyderabad, India. It was constructed in 1518 by the first Qutb Shahi ruler Sultan Quli Qutb Shah - while he was governor of the Bahmani Sultanate in current Telangana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Parliament House, New Delhi</span> Seat of the Parliament of India in New Delhi

The Parliament House in New Delhi is the seat of the Parliament of India. It houses the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, which are lower and upper houses respectively in India's bicameral parliament.

References

  1. "Statue Of Equality". Jeeyar Educational Trust UK. 16 March 2018. Archived from the original on 11 February 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  2. "Hyderabad: Ramanuja statue to become world tourist attraction". The Hans India . 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  3. "Hyderabad: Everything about 216 ft tall Statue of Equality". Telangana Today. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  4. Apparasu, Srinivasa Rao (19 November 2017). "Telangana's 65.8-metre statue of Sri Ramanujacharya to be completed by March". Hindustan Times . Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Narasimhan, T. E. (25 July 2015). "Towering over the Statue of Liberty". Business Standard India . Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Nichenametla, Prasad (5 February 2022). "Rs 135 crore 'Statue of Equality' inaugurated by PM Modi in Hyderabad was made in China". Deccan Herald . Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  7. 1 2 Nanisetti, Serish (1 July 2018). "A 216-foot-tall celebration of Ramanuja". The Hindu . ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 9 January 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 4 P. Pavan (7 August 2018). "Hyderabad: Statue of Equality to come up in city, hopes to show new direction in human dignity". Mumbai Mirror . Archived from the original on 30 January 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Nanisetti, Serish (9 December 2016). "World's second biggest sitting statue coming up near Hyderabad". The Hindu . ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 8 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  10. Nanisetti, Serish (10 December 2016). "A towering tribute to Bhakti saint Ramanuja". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  11. 1 2 "PM, President to attend unveiling of Ramanujacharya statue". The Hindu . 30 January 2022. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 7 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  12. "PM Modi inaugurates Statue of Equality in Hyderabad: Key things you need to know". Mint . 5 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  13. "Kovind unveils golden statue of Ramanujacharya". The Hindu . 13 February 2022. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  14. "PM Modi to unveil 'Statue of Equality' today in Hyderabad". Hindustan Times. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.