Nathdwara, March 26:
The grand inauguration of a 131-foot tall statue of Hanuman, named ‘Shri Shri Ji Ke Hanuman Ji’, took place in the Nathdwara area of Rajsamand district, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. This statue is situated on Giriraj Mountain, approximately 500 feet above sea level, in front of the world’s tallest Shiva statue, Vishwas Swaroopam. To ensure the statue maintains its golden shine, a special gold color was imported from Thailand.
To avoid any issues during the construction of the approximately 150-ton statue, daily recitations of Sundarkand and Hanuman Chalisa were performed for three consecutive years.
The statue depicts Hanuman in a posture of reverence towards Lord Shri Nath Ji and the Vishwas Swaroopam statue of Lord Shiva. The installation aims to promote devotion, as it is believed that all deities accompanied Shri Nath Ji when he arrived in Mewar from Braj, leading to the establishment of Hanuman’s statue on Giriraj Mountain.
According to sculptor Naresh Kumawat, who created the statue, the high wind pressure on the mountain made it nearly impossible to keep the crane steady during construction, with constant risks of accidents. The statue was constructed using modern technology and a robust structure, standing as tall as a 13-story building, with a base height of 20 feet, bringing its total height to 131 feet.
Naresh Kumawat has crafted over 6,000 statues worldwide, including more than 14 in Canada, featuring significant figures from Hindu mythology. He has also worked on projects for the New Parliament, the Supreme Court of India, and the Ram Temple. Girish Ratilal Shah, associated with the statue’s construction, stated that this statue will become a major center of faith in the region and will provide a new direction for religious tourism in Nathdwara.