Statue of Belief: World’s Tallest Lord Shiva Statue
The Statue of Belief is a statue of the Hindu god Shiva constructed in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, India. At the time of its completion it was the largest statue of Shiva in the world and the fourth-largest statue in the world.
Description
Shiva is depicted in a seated position with his legs crossed and holding a trishula in his left hand. The overall statue is 351 feet (107 m) tall; the pedestal is 110 feet (34 m) tall.
Spread over 16 acres of land, construction was started in 2012. The base of the Statue of Belief is 110 feet high. Shoulder height is 260 feet and Lord Shiva’s Trishul reaches 351 feet.
In front of the statue, there is a statue of Nandi which is 25 feet tall and 37 feet wide.
Design Attractions
The Shiva Statue (seated over a pedestal that resembles a hillock), is designed as a three-layered structure. The innermost layer comprises of four RCC core walls that rise from the base of the hillock and form the structural core of the statue.
The second layer is a structural steel framework.
The third layer is a concrete shell built using ultra high-performance concrete and moulded to the statue’s profile. All three layers are structurally connected.
The statue has been designed to have all the details, expressions, features, and emotions of Shiva cast in shell concrete. The surface of the statue has been coated with zinc and finished with copper to increase its longevity, with a lifespan of 250 years.
It can withstand wind speeds up to 250 kmph and earthquakes of Zone IV intensity, even though Nathdwara is in Zone II.
Tourist Attractions of Nathdwara, Rajasthan
Shrinathji Temple
The temple town of Nathdwara is famous for the Shrinathji Temple frequented by the people of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Built-in the 17th century by Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar, Shrinathji Temple is the abode of Shrinathji, another name of Lord Krishna. The idol of Shrinathji was brought from Vrindavan to Nathdwara to save it from Mughal ruler Aurangzeb’s invasions of temples.
Though Shrinathji Temple is the center of attraction in Nathdwara, Charbhuja Temple and Dwarkadheesh Temple are worth a visit among the must-see places in and around Nathdwara.
Known for its mesmerizing mirror work, delicately carved door panels, and golden shutters, Charbhuja Temple houses a 5,000-year-old idol of Lord Vishnu.
Located in Kankroli near Nathdwara, Dwarkadheesh Temple is the most popular abode of Lord Krishna. This too was built by Maharana Raj Singh of Mewar in 1676. Among the places to visit in and around Nathdwara is Ganesh Tekri for its decades-old Ganesh Temple at the center of a lush garden steeped in the serenity of Aravalli Hills.
Best time to Visit Nathdwara
Holi, Diwali, and Janmashtami are the biggest festivals of Nathdwara. When these festivities are around the corner, it is the best time to visit Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
Comments (0)