Ready to open: World’s tallest Shiva statue to be unveiled in Rajasthan today

The 369-feet high ‘ Viswas Swaroopam’ statue of Lord Shiva, installed in Nathdwara town of Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district will be inaugurated on Saturday (October 29) in the presence of preacher Morari Bapu, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Assembly Speaker CP Joshi, and other dignitaries. Address: Located on the Ganesh Tekri of Nathdwara, this statue is built on a hill of 51 bighas.

After the inauguration of the statue, a series of religious, spiritual, and cultural programs will be organized in the state for nine days from October 29 to November 6, said Madan Paliwal, trustee of the institute and president of Miraj Group. Morari Bapu will also recite Ram Katha for nine days.

It has been ranked among the top-5 tallest statues in the world and Lord Shiva will be seen sitting in this statue. For the consecration of this idol of Lord Shiva, 2 big ponds of 5-5 thousand liters capacity have been made. The statue has a lift of up to 280 feet. From this lift, devotees will be able to see the Aravalli hills from the shoulder of Lord Shiva. Its construction took more than 10 years. This is the only statue in which a lift, stairs, and hall have been made for people to sit.

Program spokesperson Jaiprakash Mali said that even at night, the monument is easily visible due to the unique lighting system. Three thousand tonnes of steel and iron and 2.5 lakh cubic tonnes of concrete and sand have been used in its construction. According to reports, the statue has been constructed for over 250 years and can withstand winds of up to 250 kmph. The foundation of the project was laid in August 2012 in the presence of Ashok Gehlot, who was the CM even then, and Morari Bapu.

At the beginning of the construction work, it was decided to make a 251 feet high Shiva statue, but later Madan Paliwal of Miraj Group decided to raise the height to 351 feet. This idol has been built by Madan Paliwal, CMD of Miraj Group. Madan Paliwal, Trustee of the Institute and President of Miraj Group, said, “This wonderful statue of Lord Shiva installed in the city of Shrinathji will give a new dimension to religious tourism.”