‘Statue of Equality’ World’s 2nd tallest Statue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated a 216-ft statue of Ramanujacharya and highlighted the 11th century saint’s message of equality of all.

This Statue of Equality is world’s 2nd tallest statue in sitting posture ( 216 Feet) after the Great Gautam Buddha Staute in Thailand (302 Feet )

About Statue of Equality:

• The statue is made up of “panchaloha” (five metals): gold, silver, copper, brass, and zinc. At 216-feet, it is among the tallest metallic statues in sitting position in the world.

• The Statue Of Equality is mounted on a 54-feet high building, named “Bhadra Vedi”. The building houses a digital library and research centre, ancient texts, a theatre, an educational gallery detailing the works and philosophies of Sri Ramanujacharya.

• The Vaishnavite saint advocated social equality. Many consider the propagation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World Is One Family) his greatest contribution. It is said that many scholars followed his path and the works of ancient poets like Bhakt Ramdas, Kabir and Meerabai were inspired by him.

• The inauguration of the statue is part of the ongoing 12-day celebration of Sri Ramanujacharya’s 1,000th birth anniversary.

• The Statue Of Equality is located in a 45-acre complex on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The foundation stone was laid in 2014. The ₹ 1,000-crore project was funded entirely by donations from devotees globally.

• Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram has conceptualised the statue.

About Saint Ramanujacharya

1. Saint Ramanujacharya was born in 1017 in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu to mother Kanthimathi and father Asuri Kesava Somayaji.
2. According to his devotees, he liberated millions from social, cultural, gender, educational, and economic discrimination with the foundational conviction that every human is equal regardless of nationality, gender, race, caste, or creed.
3. The saint didn’t differentiate between people. He opened temple doors to people 1,000 years ago, even to those marginalized and discriminated against in society.
4. According to the ancient scriptures, he lived for 120 years.
5. Ramanujacharya is revered as a Vedic philosopher who revived the Bhakti Movement.
6. His teachings inspired ancient poets like Annamacharya, Bhakt Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabai.
7. He remains a timeless icon of equality for social reformists around the world.