Statue of Union is a 90-foot (27 m) statue built in the likeness of the Hindu God Hanuman, that is located at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, United States.[1] It is the third-tallest statue in the United States after the Statue of Liberty and the Pegasus and Dragon. The statue is named Statue of Union because Lord Hanuman reunited Sri Rama with Maa Sita in the Hindu epic Ramayana.[2] The statue symbolises “selflessness, devotion, and unity.”[3]
 Statue of Union | |
 | |
| 29°40′12″N 95°37′06″W / 29.6700°N 95.6182°W | |
| Location | Sugar Land, Texas, United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Statue |
| Material | Panchaloha |
| Height | 90 feet (27 m) |
| Opening date | August 18, 2024 |
| Dedicated to | Hindu God Hanuman |
| Website | statueofunion |
Construction
editThe Statue of Union was envisioned by an Indian spiritual leader Chinna Jeeyar Swami. He called the statue a spiritual epicenter for North America.[4] He also envisioned the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, India.[5]
The statue is cast in bronze. It depicts Lord Hanuman in the upright position with both his palms facing forward. Its detailed craftsmanship includes his main weapon Gada with patterns around it. The base of the statue features detailed design of an elephant and flowers.[6]
The unveiling of the statue took place after a 3-day ceremony that happened between August 15 and 18, 2024.[5] It started on August 15, overlapping with India's Independence Day celebrations. The prana pratishtha took place at precisely 9:09 AM on August 18, 2024.[7] The ceremony featured flower showering from a helicopter, a sacred water sprinkling, and a 72-feet-long garland draped around Lord Hanuman’s neck.[8] The event was also accompanied by patriotic songs and the national anthems of India and the US, including Vande Mataram, Jana Gana Mana, and the Star-Spangled Banner.[7]
Hinduphobia
editFollowing the installation of the statue, media reported Hinduphobia in remarks by some Christian conservatives, who described the statue as demonic.[9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "90-ft Hanuman Statue of Union unveiled in Texas, 3rd tallest in US". The Times of India. 2024-08-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ Desk, DC Web (2024-08-20). "90-Foot Hanuman Statue Unveiled in Houston, Third Largest in U.S. The statue has a posture of Hanuman blessing with both hands, called Abhaya Hanuman". www.deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Press Trust Of India". www.ptinews.com. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
- ^ "90-Foot-Tall Bronze Hanuman 'Statue Of Union' Unveiled In Texas". Times Now. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ a b Prasad, Sheetal. "90-ft Lord Hanuman's 'Statue Of Union': Third Tallest in the US". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-21.
- ^ "Grand 90-Foot-Tall Lord Hanuman Statue Unveiled In Houston; Check Pics". Odisha TV. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ a b "Historic Inauguration of the Statue of Union: A Grand Celebration in Sugar Land | Indo American News". Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Texas gets tallest Hanuman statue outside India. What you need to know". Firstpost. 2024-08-22. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
- ^ Writer, Aila Slisco (August 21, 2024). "Huge half-monkey half-human statue in Texas sparks conservative backlash". Newsweek. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ "Watch | Church group protests against 90-foot Lord Hanuman statue in US, calls it 'demon god'". WION. August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
