Standing Tall in Faith: The “Statue of Belief” in Nathdwara

 

By Namrata Kohli

Did you know that Rajasthan is home to the world’s largest statue of Lord Shiva. 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 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. This was built over a period of ten years by 750 skilled workers who used advanced engineering and intricate craftsmanship to achieve its grandeur and durability. The Statue is built to withstand wind speeds up to 250 kmph and earthquakes of Zone IV intensity, although Nathdwara is in Zone II only. The construction used 3,000 tonnes of steel, iron and 2.5 lakh cubic tonnes of concrete and sand.

This project is the brainchild of Madan Paliwal, Chairman of Miraj group, who is also the voiceover of the special “sound and light show” held every evening from 8 pm to 8:30 pm. According to Mahesh Somani, G.M - Finance & Accounts, Tatpadam Upvan, Statue of Belief, “The Statue of Belief was envisioned by our founder Mr Madan Paliwal and it was he who conceptualized a giant statue of Lord Shiva on a Ganesh Tekri. His vision was to put Nathdwara on the tourist map of the world. Generally, what happens is that in Nathdwara, the public visits Shrinathji, and then there is no other reason for them to stay back here. But with the “Statue of Belief” and its theme park, one can spend a day or two in our city.”

The foundation of this Statue was laid in August 2012 and the Shilaniyas was done by Morari Bapu and on November 29, 2022 it was inaugurated by him.

And no, it's not just about spiritual tourists. In the Statue of Belief complex spread over 32 acres, there is a lot for the adventure enthusiasts. From bungee jumping to zip lining and snow park and go karting, there are way too many adventure activities in this theme park. Entry to the park is Rs 200 while entry till the shoulder height is Rs 400. According to Nitin Ameta- Deputy Manager - Sales and Marketing at Statue of Belief, “The Park has special attractions such as the Nandi Statue, the Hanuman statue, the Charan Vandana, hanging bridge, open air theatre, wax museum, eyellusion. But the best feature is a glass walkway at the height of 280 feet at Shiva’s shoulder… with each step you are not just walking but ascending into the skies surrounded by breathtaking views of Nathdwara.”

The statue is a major attraction for devotees and tourists alike, and sometimes performances are held in the backdrop of this iconic statue. Recently singer Kailash Kher (who has recorded many Shiv bhajans including Adiyogi and Jai Kedara) performed here. Imagine the confluence of Shiva, Sur and Sangeet in the backdrop of this majestic marvel. Currently many activities are being planned in the run up to Mahashivratri on 26^th Feb.

One of the highpoints of the Statue of Belief is the 3D mapping. Every evening, the Shiva statue comes to life with a symphony of lights and sounds, and each time a new story is narrated. Says Somany- “The sound and light show is one of the best experiences and is a show that lasts 20 minutes. There are five different stories that run in the whole week and there are different themes narrated every time such as Satyug katha or Amrit Manthan and such like.”

So next time you visit Udaipur, budget for one or two extra days to visit Nathdwara's Statue of Belief, the world's tallest Shiva idol.