The Vishwas Swaroopam, also known as the Statue of Belief, stands as a tribute to the Hindu deity Shiva, erected in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, India. Crafted by sculptor Murtikar Naresh Kumawat, it was unveiled on October 29, 2022. This monumental statue holds the distinction of being the tallest depiction of Shiva globally.
Description
Shiva is portrayed seated, with legs crossed and holding a trishula in his left hand. His left foot rests over the knee of his right foot, and his facial expression exudes detachment and meditation. The statue is distinguished by its copper hue and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside from two vantage points. Design work for the statue commenced in 2011, followed by construction in 2016, culminating in its completion in 2020. Standing at an impressive height of 369 feet (112 m), with a pedestal reaching 110 feet (34 m), the statue is visible from up to 20 kilometers (12 mi) away.
Within the statue’s interior, visitors will find an exhibition hall and public viewing galleries accessible via elevators positioned at 20 feet (6.1 m), 110 feet (34 m), and 270 feet (82 m) heights. Among the features is a statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull, towering at 25 feet (7.6 m) in height and stretching 37 feet (11 m) in length. The expansive 16-acre grounds also host amenities such as a parking facility, three herbal gardens, a food court, a laser fountain, and an area dedicated to handicraft shops. Additionally, there are viewing platforms, musical fountains, souvenir shops, and a pond. To facilitate quick local sightseeing, a mini-train is available on-site.
Construction
The idea for the statue originated from Indian entrepreneur Madan Paliwal and was brought to fruition by Shapoorji Pallonji. The creation of the Statue of Belief was entrusted to sculptor Murtikar Naresh Kumawat. The structure comprises an inner core of reinforced cement concrete walls encased within a structural steel framework, which is further enveloped by a molded exterior of ultra-high-performance concrete. The surface underwent a process involving the application of liquefied zinc followed by a copper coating.
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