Source: Narmada Tent City
Statues are generally made to pay homage to a personality who made a significant contribution to a particular community, to tell a story, or to commemorate a specific event. Just like paintings, statues can leave viewers in awe thanks to their perfectly made details and size. This article will mention a few of the biggest statues in the world and the stories behind them.
1. Statue of Unity (Height: 182 m)
With a height of 182 meters, the Statue of Unity in the Indian state of Gujarat is the tallest statue in the world. It depicts ‘Vallabhbhai Patel’, an Indian statesman and activist for independence who lived from 1875 to 1950. He was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India and a supporter of Mahatma Gandhi. Patel's contribution to bringing together 562 princely states of India into a single nation was highly regarded.
The statue is in the Kevadiya colony of Gujarat on the Narmada River, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam, 100 kilometres southeast of Vadodara.
The Indian company Larsen & Toubro began construction on the project in October 2013, with a total construction cost of 422 million U.S Dollars. The project was first announced in 2010. On October 31, 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Patel's birth, the Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar unveiled it and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, officially opened it.
At 182 meters, the Statue of Unity became the tallest statue in the world. It is 54 meters higher than the past record holder, the Spring Sanctuary Buddha in China's Henan province. The past tallest sculpture in India was the 41 m tall sculpture of Ruler Hanuman at the Paritala Anjaneya Sanctuary close to Vijayawada in the territory of Andhra Pradesh.
The monument is built on a river island called Sadhu Bet, 3.2 kilometres downstream of the Narmada Dam. A 12 km artificial lake that was created by the Garudeshwar weir downstream on the Narmada river surrounds the statue and its surroundings, which occupy more than 2 hectares (4.9 acres).
Only three of the five zones in the statute are open to the general public. The first zone has three levels and includes the exhibition area, mezzanine, and roof from its base to Patel's shins. A museum and a memorial garden are also in the first zone. The third zone extends up to the viewing gallery at a height of 153 meters, while the second zone reaches Patel's thighs. The area for maintenance is in the fourth zone, and the statue's head and shoulders are in the final zone.
The first zone's museum documents Sardar Patel's life and accomplishments. A 15-minute presentation on Patel and a description of the state's tribal culture are presented in an adjacent audiovisual gallery. There are two elevators in each of the concrete towers that make up the legs of the statue. In just over 30 seconds, each lift can transport 26 people to the viewing gallery at once. The gallery can accommodate up to 200 people and is at a height of 153 meters.
2. Spring Temple Buddha (Height: 128 m)
The famous statue of the Vairocana Buddha can be found in China's Spring Temple Buddha. It was constructed in Zhaocun county, Henan, between 1997 and 2008. An 18 meters tall lotus-shaped pedestal with a monastery sits atop a massive Buddha statue at this location. The Spring Temple Buddha is the second tallest statue in the world and has a massive height of 128 meters. Luykyun Sekka in Myanmar and Ushiku Daibutsu Buddha in Japan are the other large Buddha statues.
This poised copper Buddha is not nearly as well-known as other Buddhas, despite its impressive height. One of the amazing facts about the Spring Temple Buddha is that its amazing structure is made of more than a hundred kilograms of gold, 3300 tons of copper alloy, and 1,500 tons of steel and covers a total area of more than 11,000 square feet. The statue's brilliant appeal comes from the intricate layers of copper that cover it.
This can without much of a stretch is delegated one more great accomplishment of old engineering. The diamond seat beneath the Buddha, which is made up of 6,666 smaller Buddha statues, only adds to its beauty.
3. Laykyun Sekkya (Height: 115 m)
In the village of Khatakan Taung, which is close to Monywa in Myanmar, this statue of Gautama Buddha sits on a throne that is 115.8 meters (380 feet) tall. The project was started in 1996 and finished on February 21, 2008. Chief Abbot Ven gave the order for it.
Before the Spring Temple Buddha was finished in September 2008, it was the tallest statue in the world for a few months. The Laykyun Sekkya statue depicts the scene of Mahaparinirvana with a standing Gautama Buddha next to a reclining Gautama Buddha.
4. Statue of Belief (Height: 106 m)
The Statue of Belief depicts the Hindu deity, Shiva, it was erected at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, India. It was ranked the fourth tallest statue in the world when it opened on October 29, 2022. At the moment, the Statue of Belief is the tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world.
The image of Shiva shows him seated with his legs crossed and his left hand on a trishula. The total height of the statue is 112 meters. The installation includes a statue of Nandi, Shiva's bull, measuring 7.6 meters in height.
The 16-acre grounds also include a parking facility, three herbal gardens, a food court, a laser fountain, and an area for handicraft shops. The statue can be seen from as far away as 20 kilometres. The interior of the statue contains an exhibition hall as well as public viewing galleries.
Written By: Abderrahmane Loudiyi
Edited By: Nidhi Jha
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