Houston, Texas, USA — A 90-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Hanuman, recently unveiled in Sugar Land, Texas, has become a significant cultural landmark in the U.S. The "Statue of Union," as it is named, is now the third tallest statue in the country, symbolizing the growing presence of Indian culture and spirituality in America.
Key Facts:
- The 90-foot-tall Hanuman statue is the tallest of its kind outside India.
- Unveiled at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, Texas, on August 18, 2024.
- The statue stands as the third tallest in the U.S., after the Statue of Liberty and the Pegasus and Dragon statues.
The "Statue of Union" was inaugurated during a grand Prana Prathishta Mahotsavam ceremony from August 15 to 18, coinciding with India's Independence Day.
The statue, located at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple, is crafted in the form of Hanuman blessing his devotees, unlike the traditional depiction of the deity wielding his weapon. Made of "panchdhatu" (five-metal alloy), the statue sits on a pedestal designed like a lotus, supported by sculptures of elephants.
The statue is not just a religious symbol but also a new milestone in the cultural landscape of America. It was envisioned by His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, a renowned Vedic scholar, as a spiritual epicenter for North America.
The inauguration featured a helicopter flower shower and a 72-foot garland, drawing thousands of devotees who chanted the names of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram in unison.
With this unveiling, the Hanuman statue in Texas has replaced the one at the Hindu Temple of Delaware as the tallest Hanuman murti in North America. The event was a celebration of Indian culture and spirituality, strengthening the cultural ties between the Indian diaspora and their heritage.
The unveiling of the 90-foot Hanuman statue in Texas not only adds a new spiritual landmark to the U.S. but also represents the deep-rooted cultural connections and spiritual values of the Indian community.
As the tallest Hanuman murti outside India, the "Statue of Union" stands as a testament to the growing cultural influence of the Indian diaspora in the United States.