Lord Hanuman Key Part Of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshta Bharat': PM Modi Unveils 108 Ft Statue In Gujarat's Morbi

The festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. The statue in Gujarat is the second of the four statues being set up in the four directions across India.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday unveiled a 108 ft statue of Lord Hanuman in Gujarat's Morbi via video conferencing. 

The inauguration comes as Hindu devotees across the world celebrate Hanuman Jayanti today.

Addressing the event, PM Modi said: "We have been seeing a similar grand Hanuman statue in Shimla for years now. The second has been established in Morbi today. I have been told that two more statues will be established in Rameswaram and West Bengal."

"Hanuman ji connects everyone with his devotion, by his service. Everyone gets inspiration from Hanuman Ji. Lord Hanuman is the source of strength that gave all forest brethren their right to respect. Therefore, Hanuman ji is an important part of Ek Bharat, Shresta Bharat," he added in the virtual address.

In his virtual address, PM Modi further said: "Ram Katha is organised in different parts of the country. Whatever be the language or dialect, the spirit of Ram Katha unites all, unites with devotion to God. This is the strength of the Indian faith, our spirituality, our culture, and our tradition".

The Prime Minister remarked that Ram Katha "united different sections and classes even in the difficult times of subjugation (under British rule), strengthened the united efforts for the national resolve for independence."

"Our civilization and culture have played a big role in India's steadfast resolve despite the changing circumstances over thousands of years. Our faith and culture are about harmony, inclusion, and equanimity," he stated.

Referring to Lord Ram again, PM Modi said: "When it came to establishing good over evil, Lord Rama, despite being capable, accomplished this task of taking everyone along, connecting everyone, connecting people of every section of the society and connecting everyone. That is what everyone's efforts are all about (sabka saath, sabka prayaas)."

"With this spirit of everyone's effort (sabka prayaas), we have to brighten the Amrit Kaal period of freedom and mobilise to accomplish the nation's resolves," he emphasised.

Lord Hanuman Statues Across India

According to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), this statue is the second of the four statues being set up in the four directions across the country, as part of the "Hanumanji4dham" project.

"The Gujarat statue has been set up in the west, at the Ashram of Param Pujya Bapu Keshvanand Ji in Morbi," the PMO statement read.

"The first statue of the series was set up in the north in Shimla in 2010. Work on the statue in the south at Rameswaram has been started," it further informed.

The festival of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman.