In a historic celebration of spiritual devotion and cultural pride, North America’s tallest idol of Lord Ram, standing 51 feet tall, was unveiled at the Hindu Heritage Center in Mississauga, a key city in the Greater Toronto Area. Thousands of devotees gathered on Sunday to witness the grand ceremony, which was attended by prominent Canadian federal ministers, political leaders, and dignitaries.
Among those present were Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, Minister for Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, President of the Treasury Board Shafqat Ali, and Andrew Scheer, interim leader of the opposition in the House of Commons. Sidhu, addressing the crowd, hailed the moment as one of immense pride for the Indo-Canadian community, opening his remarks with a resounding “Jai Shri Ram.”
Representing the Indian government, Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, Acting Consul General in Toronto, was also in attendance. The event marked the completion of a project nearly four years in the making, spearheaded by Indo-Canadian philanthropist Laj Prasher, whose donation brought the monumental vision to life.
The idol, fabricated in Delhi and shipped to Canada in parts, is made from fiberglass and supported by a steel superstructure, making it durable for up to a century and capable of withstanding wind speeds up to 200 km/hr. Local artisans in Canada completed its assembly on-site.
The murti currently stands atop a seven-foot pedestal, with plans to add a decorative chattri (umbrella) once local permits are secured. The head priest and founder of the center, Acharya Surinder Sharma Shastri, emphasized the spiritual significance of the statue, calling it a “gift to the community” and drawing inspiration from the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya earlier in 2024.
Organizing head Kushagr Sharma described the event as a moment of unity, noting over 10,000 people had gathered for the occasion. He also mentioned that flights approaching Toronto Pearson International Airport will soon have the majestic idol as one of the first welcoming sights, underscoring its iconic status.
The unveiling was marked by a shower of flower petals, turning the event into not just a religious celebration, but a powerful testament to multiculturalism, harmony, and devotion in Canada.
