10 Tallest and Most Famous Statues in India: The Iconic Sculptures

As far back as history can trace, the best examples of architectural mastery may be found in statues. Incredible masterpieces from antiquity to the contemporary day delicately display the best qualities of their respective eras. These famous statues of India have always piqued the interest of tourists and archaeologists.

In India, you’ll find some of the world’s largest statues, each one with its special meaning. Gujarat is home to the world’s highest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Discovering the significance of India’s tallest statues would also astound you. This means that any trip to India must include stops at locations housing mesmerizing Statues. Therefore, visiting places featuring spell-bounding statues is a must when traveling to India.

1. Statue of Unity

The tallest statue in the whole world is in India as the “Statue of Unity.” It is 182 meters in height (597 ft). The statue is of the Indian leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and faces the Narmada dam. The first deputy prime minister of India was Sardar Vallabhai Patel. He is famous for his outstanding leadership of the Bardoli campaign and for uniting 565 princely states of India in a short time.

Furthermore, a total of Rs 2,989 crores was spent on the construction of the monument. This mega project took nearly four years to complete.

2. Statue of Belief

Its height is 112.4 metres (369 ft).

Nathdwara, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is home to a statue of the god Shiva known as the Statue of Belief aka Vishwas Swaroopam. On October 29, 2022, the monument first welcomed visitors. Until a newer statue of Lord Shiva is built, this holds the record as the highest one in existence.

Madan Paliwal, an Indian industrialist, commissioned the statue to be created by the firm Shapoorji Pallonji. An interior of reinforced concrete walls is encased in a structural steel framework, which is in turn encased in a molded super duper concrete skin. After spraying the surface with liquid zinc, copper was applied.

3. Statue of Equality

Its height is 65.8 metres (216 ft).

The Statue of Equality is the second tallest sitting statue in the world at a height of 216 ft. Located in Muchintal, Hyderabad, it is a statue of Sri Bhagavad Ramanujacharya, who worked relentlessly to promote equality. It was built to commemorate his 1000th birthday.

There are 108 steps leading to the statue which provide stunning panoramic views. There are also 36 beautifully carved elephants near the statue, each spouting cool water along with 108 Divya Desa centres. The ground floor of the base statue building is dedicated to the life and teachings of Sri Ramanuja. The second floor is a temple, and the third floor contains a Vedic library and research center. The Statue of Equality is located near the Hyderabad Airport and can be reached easily by taxi from anywhere in the city.

4. Hanuman Statue Madapam

Its height is 53 metres (176 ft).

The fourth statue on the list is the Hanuman statue at Mandapam in Narasannapeta, Andhra Pradesh. This is the largest Hanuman statue in India measuring 176 feet. In Andhra Pradesh, the Paritala Anjaneya Temple is also situated. Both temples are dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The Paritala Anjaneya Temple measures 135 feet and it is located in Vijayawada.

5. Hanuman Murti

Its height is 49 metres (161 ft).

Standing at a towering height of 49 meters (161 feet), the Hanuman Murti monument in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, is a remarkable tribute to God Hanuman. This iconic statue on Jakhu Hills is a significant attraction for American travelers visiting India. To reach the temple at its base, there's an elevation of 108 feet. Access to the temple is possible through a footpath, an equestrian trail, and a ropeway.

6. Muthumalai Murugan Statue

Its height is 44.5 meters (146 ft).

The impressive 146-foot statue of Lord Murugan stands tall, surpassing Malaysia's Pathumalai Murugan statue, which measures 140 feet in height. Thiruvarur Thiyagarajan is the skilled sculptor behind both of these remarkable statues, having sculpted the Malaysian Pathumalai statue back in 2006. The statue's inauguration drew thousands of worshippers to the temple for its dedication ceremony.

In April 2022, with much excitement and anticipation, the statue was unveiled to the public. Lord Murugan, often regarded as the divine child of the goddess Korravai, holds a revered place as the supreme deity among the ancient Tamils of Southern India.

7. Vaishno Devi Statue

Its height is 42 metres (141 ft).

Maa Vaishno Devi statue is 7th statue in this list. Situated at Vrindavan, the height of this statue is 141 feet. Lord Hanuman statue itself is 32 feet tall and his gadda is 26 feet long. Around 400 tonnes of steel and concrete were required to make this beautiful statue dedicated to goddess Vaishno Devi.

8. Thiruvalluvar Statue

Its height is 40.5 metres (133 ft).

The Thiruvalluvar Statue, also known as the Valluvar Statue, is an impressive 133-foot-tall (41-meter) stone sculpture honoring the ancient Tamil poet and philosopher Valluvar, renowned for his work, the Tirukkural. Situated at the southernmost tip of the Indian peninsula along the Coromandel Coast, it commands a panoramic view of the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean. This majestic statue was expertly carved by the accomplished Indian artist V. Ganapati Sthapati, who is also responsible for the Iraivan Temple.

Dedicated at the cusp of the new millennium on January 1, 2000, the Thiruvalluvar Statue proudly holds the distinction of being India's tallest statue.

9. Tathagata Stal for Buddha Statue

Its height is 39 meters (128 ft).

Known also as Tathagata Tsal, the Buddha Garden of Ravangla may be found in the South Sikkim region of Sikkim, not far from the town of Ravangla. Built from 2006 to 2013 its centerpiece is a Buddha statue measuring 128 feet (39 meters) in height in honor of the 2550th year of Gautama Buddha’s birth. The statue is an excellent example of repousse technique, and it took 60 tons of copper to construct it. The statue has Mount Narsing as its backdrop.

Within the broader monastic complex of Rabong Monasteries, also a place of pilgrimage for millennia, this location was selected. The important Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Ralang is also close by. This statue was erected by the government and the citizens of Sikkim and dedicated by the fourteenth Dalai Lama on March 25, 2013.

The Buddhist loop of the area was constructed as part of a state government initiative to increase religious tourism and pilgrimages to the area. Within the compound is the Cho Djo Lake, which is encircled by trees. There is a Buddhist enclave there, as well as a meditating center and a library with a spiral gallery, all of which contribute to the park’s peaceful atmosphere and wide walkways.

10. Basava Statue

Its height is 33 meters (108 ft).

Bidar, Karnataka is home to the towering “Basava Statue,” which measures a whopping 33 meters in height. In addition, it is the world’s tallest Lord Basava statue. Known by his Hindu name Basaveshwara, Lord Basava was a powerful figure in 12th-century India as a statesman, poet, philosopher, & social reformer. He advocated for a caste-free society and supported the Lord Shiva bhakti movement.

India is known for its cultural diversity. This country has an unmatched heritage that reflects its famous landmarks. Different statues all over India commemorate the gods and important personalities of which this country is home. Some famous statues in India have been recognized and named on the world map. Come see these incredible statues firsthand, and also discover more about the different religions, norms, and cultures of this mystical country.

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