Standing tall in faith: The 'Statue of Belief' in Nathdwara

Did you know that Rajasthan is home to the world's largest statue of Lord Shiva?

- NAMRATA KOHLI

Standing tall at 369 feet, the "Statue of Belief" is located within Nathdwara, 50 kms away from Udaipur. The statue, which includes a 34m high pedestal, reaches a height of 112 m and is among the five largest statues worldwide. It depicts Lord Shiva seated in a meditative pose, symbolizing peace and serenity. The intricate detailing includes Shiva's matted locks, the crescent moon, and the sacred Ganga flowing from his hair - the Statue has been crafted by sculptor Naresh Kumawat, the same artist who crafted a 75 ft long Samudra Manthan mural inside the new parliament building in the capital city.

Visible from a distance of 20 kms due to its towering height and prominent location, the site includes a museum, gardens, and an auditorium to engage visitors. The statue has been finished with copper and coated with zinc alloy to protect it from rain and sun and increase its longevity to 200 years. The construction contract for the statue and other amenities in the complex was awarded to Shapoorji Pallonji.