Why visit the Statue of Equality?
- The Ramanuja statue, also known as the Statue of Equality, is located in Hyderabad, India.
- The statue was erected in 2022 to commemorate the life and work of the 11th-century Indian philosopher Ramanujacharya. Sri Ramanujacharya was a key figure in the development of the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, and his teachings have had a profound impact on Indian culture and society.
- The Ramanuja statue is a beautiful and awe-inspiring monument that pays tribute to this great thinker.
- If you are interested in Indian philosophy or history, or if you simply want to see a beautiful piece of art, the Statue of Equality is definitely worth a visit.
History of the Statue of Equality:
The Ramanuja statue, also known as the Statue of Equality, is the second tallest sitting statue in the world.
The much-revered Ramanuja statue can be found at Sri Chinna Jeeyar Ashram at Muchintal, 36 kilometers from Hyderabad. The world-renowned 11th-century philosopher and saint who founded the Sri Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism, Ramanujacharya, was one of the most influential thinkers and reformers of his time. The life-size statue is a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike, who come to pay their respects and learn more about this great man.
To celebrate 1000 years since the birth of Ramanuja, this ambitious project was conceived by the trust, and the project cost was Rs 1,000 crores, funded by the devotees themselves.
The statue is 216 feet tall and is made out of 700 tonnes of a five-metal alloy of gold, silver, brass, copper, brass, and zinc and has been placed on a lotus, 27 feet in diameter and this flower has 36 elephants at its base.
The significance of the 27 feet diameter is based on the 24 Tattvas (It is considered that a soul consists of 24 attributes also known as Tattvas) and the other 3 represent the Soul, God, and the Guru.
This in turn is placed on a base building named Bhadravedi which is 54 feet and three stories high.
In the base building, at the altar is the deity of Ramanuja. This deity is made of gold and weighs 120 kg representing the number of years he lived. The building also has a Vedic digital library, a research center, and a gallery in its premises.
There is a musical fountain that is 42 ft high and has 4 shows at 1 pm, 4 pm, 6 pm, and 8 pm.
Visiting Hours:
The visiting hours for the Statue of Equality are 11 am to 8 pm
Closed on Wednesdays
Entry Fees:
Rs. 200 per adult
Rs. 125 per child.
Highlights:
- There are 108 steps leading to the statue.
- There is a meditation hall at the base where you can meditate in front of the deity of Ramanuja
- Check out the 108 Divya Desa centers
- You can choose to have a self-guided audio/visual tour of the history of Divya Desa recorded by Chinna Jeeyar himself.
- Pick up a free handbook that has the details of each Divya Desa.
The place is closed every Wednesday, and it’s preferable to book your ticket online to avoid the crowds at the booking counter.
This place is a must-visit to know about Hinduism and also to admire the grandeur of the place.
What to do next?
Check out my article on 41 amazing places to visit in Hyderabad
