HIGHLIGHTS:
• On February 5, 2022, PM Modi will dedicate the Equality Statue.
• It is a 216-foot-tall statue of Sri Ramanujacharya, a revolutionary social reformer and 11th-century Bhakti saint.
• The event will be co-hosted by Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao and HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami.
What is in the News?
On February 5, 2022, PM Modi will dedicate the Equality Statue. It is a 216-foot-tall statue of Sri Ramanujacharya, a revolutionary social reformer and 11th-century Bhakti saint. The Statue of Equality is located in Shamshabad, Telangana, on a 45-acre complex. On February 13, 2022, President Ramnath Kovind will reveal the inner chamber’s 120 kg golden Ramanuja.
Who will host the event?
As part of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi ‘Samaroham,’ these events, as well as a 1035 yaaga fire oblation and spiritual activities such as mass manthra chanting, will be held. It is being held to commemorate the saint’s 1000th birthday. The events will begin on February 2, 2022.
The event will be co-hosted by Telangana Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao and HH Chinna Jeeyar Swami. The event will also be attended by a number of other chief ministers, lawmakers, celebrities, and actors.
About the project?
This INR 1000-crore project was totally supported by donations from devotees throughout the world. Sri Ramanujacharya’s inner sanctorum deity is composed of 120 kilogrammes of gold to honour the saint’s 120 years on this planet. The Statue of Equality, which will stand 216 feet tall and include a sitting stance, will be the world’s second tallest statue. It is made of ‘panchaloha,’ a five-metal alloy consisting of gold, silver, copper, brass, and zync. The complex has exact replicas of the 108 Divya Desams, or ornately carved Vishnu temples referenced in the works of mystic Tamil saints the Alvars.
Who was Sri Ramanujacharya?
Sri Ramanujacharya, who was born in 1017 in Sri Perumbudur, Tamil Nadu, liberated millions of people from social, cultural, gender, educational, and economic discrimination, based on the belief that every human being is equal regardless of nationality, gender, race, caste, or creed. He welcomed all people into temples, especially those who had been exposed to severe discrimination. For social reformers all around the world, he is a timeless symbol of equality.
Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji said …
In his comments, Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji an Indian ascetic, said, “We cordially invite everyone to the grand unveiling of the Statue of Equality, including major guests, dignitaries, and citizens from all walks of life.” For 1000 years, Bhagavad Ramanujacharya has been a true symbol of equality, and our effort will ensure that his teachings are followed for at least another 1000 years. Our goal is to make the Statue of Equality a culturally important destination for visitors from all over the world, inspiring them to make the world a more equal place to live. Today, in a world riven by divisiveness and populism, Sri Ramanujacharya’s ideology is more important than ever. Bhagavad Ramanuja, the founder of Vaishnavism, synthesised the essence of the Vedas and ancient wisdom to advocate the ageless message of equality. Inherently, non-discrimination and equality are the cornerstones of life.”
The project’s foundation stone
The project’s foundation stone was placed in 2014. The ‘Bhadra Vedi’ foundation building, which stands 54 feet tall, has floors dedicated to a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian scriptures, a theatre, an educational exhibition, and a robust multi-language audio tour describing many of Sri Ramanuja Acharya’s works.
