In a landmark development, Canada is set to unveil the tallest depiction of a Hindu deity, a towering 55-foot Hanuman Ji statue, scheduled for April next year. Crafted by the renowned Rajasthan sculptor Naresh Kumawat and funded by the local temple administration, the statue will be officially revealed at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, coinciding with the celebration of Hanuman Jayanti on April 23.
Brampton, situated in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), has recently been marked by heightened pro-Khalistan activities. Notably, during Diwali, clashes between Khalistan supporters and Hindus celebrating the festival underscored tensions within the community. Instances like a poster targeting Indian diplomats outside the Bharat Mata Mandir and the defacement of the Gauri Shankar Mandir with anti-India graffiti in January have added to the concerns.
Naresh Kumawat, known for his exceptional skill in crafting sculptures of Hindu deities, has a rich history of creating over 200 statues in 80 countries worldwide. Speaking to The Indian Express, Kumawat revealed that the final touches on the Hanuman Ji statue would be completed in the upcoming summer months, leading up to the grand unveiling in April.
This isn’t Kumawat’s first venture into constructing significant statues in Canada. Previously, he built a 50-foot Hanuman Ji statue at the Voice of Vedas temple, financed by a local businessman. Internationally, Kumawat’s portfolio includes a 75-foot mural of Samudra Manthan for the Central Vista project in the new parliament building in Delhi, symbolising a pivotal event from the Vishnu Puran.
Beyond his Canadian projects, Kumawat has left an indelible mark globally with statues of notable figures like Swami Vivekananda, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Rabindranath Tagore, Indira Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela. His portfolio also boasts record-breaking creations, such as the 369-foot seated Bhagwan Shiva statue in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, acknowledged in the Guinness Book of World Records, and a 156-foot-tall statue of Bhagwan Hanuman Ji in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, featured in the Limca Book of Records.
Additionally, he is credited with the creation of the 108-foot Hanuman Ji statue at the Jakhu temple in Shimla. The esteemed sculptor’s legacy extends across countries like the United States, England, Australia, Poland, Mauritius, Seychelles, Dubai, Oman, and Russia, solidifying his global reputation.
Nestled along the Vamsadhara River in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, stands the world’s tallest Hanuman Ji statue, an impressive monument soaring to a height of 180 feet.
In 2005, a visionary group of Mandapam devotees conceived the idea for this remarkable sculpture. Subsequently, a committee was established in 2007 to spearhead the development of the riverside area along the Vasmadhara River. The ambitious construction project culminated in the completion of the statue in 2009.
