Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a 108-foot-tall statue of the 8th-century Hindu philosopher and saint, Adi Shankaracharya, on Thursday in the temple town of Omkareshwar. This statue, named "Ekatmata Ki Pratima" or "Statue of Oneness," stands as a monumental tribute to Adi Shankaracharya's legacy and profound teachings. The statue was originally slated for unveiling on September 18. The ceremony was postponed due to heavy rainfall in the region, PTI reported citing an official source.
Ahead of the unveiling of the statue, Chouhan said, "Statue of Oneness' will give the message of peace to the world. Everything is happening because of God's blessings and India's tradition of knowledge will go out to the world and end all the turmoil."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh had earlier approved a Rs 2,141.85-crore project that included the construction of the Adi Shankaracharya statue along with a museum in Omkareshwar.
Dikshu Kukreja, Managing Principal of CP Kukreja Architects and the visionary behind this cultural project told PTI, "This extraordinary structure, conceptualized to honor the life and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya, is a tribute to the great saint's masterpiece of commentary on 'Bharmasutra-bhasya."
He further added, "This cultural project will fulfill the much-treasured vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- 'Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (The world is one family).' With this 108 feet tall statue, Madhya Pradesh will consolidate its position as a cultural and spiritual hub for all religions."
The inception of the statue dates back to 2018 when artist Vasudev Kamath from Sholapur created the initial portrait. Subsequently, a massive public rally and processions called "Ekatma Yatra" covered approximately 23,000 gram panchayats across the state, collecting metal for the statue with active community participation. This unique collaboration exemplifies the spirit of public-private partnership.
Situated atop the scenic Mandhata hill, overlooking the Narmada river in Khandwa district, this towering structure was conceptualized under the guidance of Acharya Shankar Sanskritik Ekta Nyas and the Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (MPSTDC). It not only celebrates the life and philosophy of Adi Shankaracharya but also commemorates his significant work, the commentary on 'Bharmasutrabhasya,' a fundamental text of the Vedanta school of Hinduism, emphasising the concept of Oneness.
During a conversation with senior editor and columnist Vithal C Nadkarni, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan fondly recalled the remarkable achievements of Adi Shankaracharya, News 18 reported. Chouhan highlighted Shankaracharya's role in unifying the land known as Bharat-varsha, not only through his monistic philosophy called Advaita Siddhanta but also by establishing four spiritual mathas or monasteries strategically placed across the country.
During Shankaracharya's time in the 9th century, there were six major sects, one dedicated to the Mother Goddess and the other four to Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, and Ganesh. The sixth cult was centred on the God Skanda-Kartikeya, known as Murugan by Tamils in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, and Mauritius. Adi Shankaracharya's significant contributions to uniting these disparate elements within India's spiritual landscape demonstrate his profound impact during his 32-year life.