PM Modi unveils 'Statue of Equality': What you need to know

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the 'Statue of Equality' in Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th-century Hindu saint Sri Ramanujacharya.

The saint was someone “who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste and creed”, a press release by the government said. The 216-foot tall statue is among the tallest metallic sitting statues in the world.

The inauguration is part of the 12-day Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham, the ongoing 1,000th birth anniversary celebrations of the saint.


Located in a 45-acre complex on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the foundation stone was laid in 2014.

The Rs 1,000 crore project was funded by donations from devotees around the world.

Constructed on a base building 'Bhadra Vedi' that is 54 feet tall, the building has floors for a Vedic digital library and research centre, ancient Indian texts, a theatre and an educational gallery detailing the works of Ramanujacharya.

The statue conceptualised by Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swami of Sri Ramanujacharya Ashram consists of five metals namely gold, silver, zinc, brass and copper.

There are 108 Divya Desams (ornately carved temples) surrounding the Statue of Equality.

The PM took a tour of the Divya Desams as well before the inauguration.