A towering 90-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Hanuman was unveiled in Sugar Land, Texas, marking a significant cultural and spiritual milestone in the United States.
Dubbed the “Statue of Union,” the monument now stands as the third tallest statue in the country, following the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Pegasus and Dragon in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
Located at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, the Statue of Union represents a blend of grandeur and devotion, visible from miles away.
The statue, which is the tallest Hanuman murti outside India, was revealed during a three-day Prana Prathishta ceremony from August 15 to 18.
This grand event featured a helicopter showering flowers on the statue, sacred water rituals, and a massive 72-foot-long garland draped around Lord Hanuman's neck.
Thousands of devotees gathered to chant the names of Shri Ram and Hanuman in unison, creating a powerful display of collective spirituality.
The statue's name, “Statue of Union,” reflects the symbolic representation of unity, drawing inspiration from Lord Hanuman’s role in uniting Sri Rama with Sita.
According to the organisers, this naming aligns with Hanuman’s embodiment of strength, devotion, and selfless service.
The statue, envisioned by His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji—a Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned Vedic scholar—is intended to serve as a spiritual epicentre for North America, offering solace and peace to visitors.
Constructed to the specifications of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, the statue was designed as a symbol of both spiritual and cultural significance.
The Vedic rituals performed during the unveiling were led by the Swamiji and overseen by numerous Vedic priests and scholars, showcasing a blend of traditional reverence and modern craftsmanship.
Indian mythologist and writer Devdutt Pattanaik commented on the statue’s raised arms, suggesting that it might be inspired by the Thai Buddha’s gesture of “do not fight.” Pattanaik’s observation, shared on social media platform X, sparked debate.
Some users challenged Pattanaik’s interpretation, arguing that the raised arms more accurately represent the Abhaya mudra—a gesture associated with protection and reassurance.
This discussion highlighted the varying interpretations of cultural symbols in different contexts.
Prior to this, a 25-foot-tall statue of Lord Hanuman, installed in Hockessin, Delaware, was the tallest Hanuman statue in the United States.
The Delaware statue, weighing 45 tonnes and shipped from Hyderabad, was a notable landmark before being surpassed by the Texas monument.
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