The Statue of Union, a 90-foot-tall bronze murti of Lord Hanuman, has been unveiled in Texas near Houston. It is the third tallest statue in the US, and symbolises "a new milestone in the cultural and spiritual landscape of America".
The statue holds several distinctions: it is the tallest Hanuman statue outside India, and the tallest statue in Texas. Overall in the US, it is just shorter than the Statue of Liberty in New York (151 feet) and the Pegasus and Dragon in Hallandale Beach, Florida (110 feet).
The Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Hanuman statue was held from August 15 to August 18.
The statue has been unveiled at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, about 35 km from Houston. It symbolises "selflessness, devotion, and unity", with its name honouring the crucial role of Hanuman in reuniting Lord Ram and Sita, the organisers said, as reported by news agency PTI.
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'Structure Is Product Of Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji's Efforts'
The organisers said the structure is the product of "the visionary efforts" of Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, a Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned Vedic scholar, who envisioned this project as a spiritual epicentre for North America.
The festivities began on August 15, aligning with the Independence Day of India, and culminated on August 18. The rituals, led by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and a large group of Vedic priests and scholars, were described as a profound display of devotion and spirituality.
The ceremony included a helicopter flower shower over the murti, the sprinkling of sacred water, and the placement of a 72-foot-long garland around the neck of Lord Hanuman, as thousands of devotees chanted the names of Shri Ram and Hanuman in unison.