Preparations are underway in the Manesar factory, Haryana, to create history with a proposed 823-feet-tall statue of Lord Ram for Ayodhya. Sculptor Naresh Kumawat has been commissioned for this monumental project, aiming to set a world record as the tallest statue. The statue, weighing 13000 tonnes, is planned for installation on the banks of the Sarayu River in Ayodhya.
If approved, this statue of Lord Ram could potentially become the world’s tallest, surpassing the current record held by the 790 feet Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. In contrast to the Statue of Unity, which had a significant portion made in China, Naresh Kumawat intends to create this statue entirely in India, marking a notable achievement.
The fourth-largest statue globally is currently the Lord Shiva statue in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, also crafted by Naresh Kumawat. The sculptor has received approval for the statue’s prototype from Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, although formalities are pending. The proposed statue, made of Panch metal with 80% copper, is estimated to cost $404 million.
Naresh Kumawat is renowned for his sculptures, including the hands statue at Namo Ghat in Ayodhya, the statue of Baba Saheb Ambedkar in the Supreme Court of India, Sardar Patel’s statue in the new Parliament of India, and the ocean churning sculpture inside the Parliament. The statue of Lord Shiva in Noida is also among his notable artworks.
