The Statue of Equality was unveiled yesterday in Hyderabad by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A statue commemorating Sri Ramanujacharya, a Bhakti saint from the 11th century, was unveiled in Hyderabad’s Shamshabad. As a symbol of the saint’s knowledge, ideas, and detachment, the statue represents each of these.
It is part of the ongoing celebration of the saint’s 1000th birthday. We are currently celebrating Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi Samaroham for 12 days. The lotus petals are adorned with 54 beautiful elephants resting beneath the statue. With 18 stone-carved sankhas and, further, 18 stone-carved chakras, the Bhadra Vedi that holds the statue is a work of art.
The Prime Minister stated during the opening ceremony, “I believe that it will not only inspire the future generations but also strengthen the ancient identity of India.”
The Bhakti Movement was revived by Saint Ramanujacharya. Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur was where he was born in 1017. His teachings have inspired India’s foremost ancient poets, Kabir and Meerabai, among others. He is considered an icon of equality by social reformers around the world.
Numerous people have claimed that the Saint has helped them break free from social, gender, educational, and economic shackles. Human beings are all equal in the eyes of Saint Ramanujacharya, and he did not differentiate between them. It was also he who opened the doors of the temple to people who were discriminated against in society.
Here are 5 things to know about the Statue of Equality
#1. In his honor, the 216-foot tall Statue of Equality will be inaugurated as a part of the ongoing celebrations of the 1000th birth anniversary of Sri Ramanuja Sahasrabdi.
#2. Saint Ramanujacharya was born in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu in 1017 to Kanthimathi and Asuri Kesava Somayaji. He is revered as a Vedic philosopher who revived the Bhakti Movement.
#3. For centuries, he has been a symbol of equality for social reformists all over the world. His teachings influenced ancient poets such as Annamacharya, Bhakt Ramdas, Thyagaraja, Kabir, and Meerabai.
#4. Saint Ramanujacharya’s devotees say that he liberated millions from social, cultural, gender, educational, and economic discrimination by believing that all people are equal regardless of nationality, race, gender, or creed.
#5. Ramanujacharya is known for his reverence for all humans as well as his opposition to practices that discriminated against them. Thousands of years ago, he was responsible for opening the temple doors to people, including those who were marginalized and discriminated against.
