When talking about the various statues in the world, it can well be said that they are countless. Starting from the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio to the Monument of the Frog-Traveller in Russia, every country has a fair share of statues that act as a hotspot of tourists and also at times of religious pilgrimage.
India in this context has already secured the top spot for the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity. However, did you know about the venerated Statue of Belief located in Rajasthan? If not, this is just the blog for you.
If you’re familiar with the name, you must still stick around and scroll further down to learn about a ton of important information about this statue, the best times to visit, how to get to this statue, and the various activities you can take part in, near it. Let’s get to it!
Vishwas Swaroopam
History
The Statue of Belief, also known as Viswas Swaroopam is the 369 feet tall statue of Lord Shiva, seated in the meditation posture with the Holy Trident (Trishul) held in his left hand. The major significance of this statue is its specific posture. As we know from Hindu Culture, Lord Shiva is the God of Meditation.
This posture is especially appealing because it is known to help you open your third eye and help your mind be cleansed of any thoughts or anxieties for you to perform to it’s full potential. Lord Shiva’s meditation techniques are of primal importance to all devotees to be able to look within yourself and your inner sky of consciousness.
The Statue of Belief therefore also serves as a place for worship for those who consider Shiva as their god. However, many tourists travel to this destination to have a taste of the peace and practice the open-eye meditation techniques.
This history behind the selection of this pose for Lord Shiva therefore runs deep. Since the statue has secured the fourth position in the list of the world’s tallest statues, the philosophy behind the construction and the successful implementation of this endeavour by Tat Padam Sansthan is something to be greatly commended by us, as the citizens of India.
Inauguration of the Statue of Belief
The tallest Shiva Statue in Rajasthan around 369 feet in length, located in Rajasthan was inaugurated by Rajasthan Government Assemblymen- C.P Joshi, Morari Bapu; signatories- Yoga Guru Ramdev, Gulab Chand Kataria; and the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, himself. The grand inauguration was a momentous occasion that garnered attention from the audience worldwide.
In the current scenario, since it’s inauguration, the interest in visiting the location has sky-soared. Many visitors are including Udaipur as a place of visit because the Statue of Belief location is just 45 km from Udaipur. The various places to visit around it are also open for the public to explore. So, do not forget to include this rising spot in your bucket list for travel!
Facts
Before you plan your visit to the Nathdwara Shiva Statue, to feed your curiosity, we have compiled a bunch of interesting and crucial facts that you ought to know.
- The statue is designed in a meditation posture and is believed to be visible from 20 kilometers away.
- The statue took ten years to create, with the foundation laid in August 2012 in the company of Ashok Gehlot, who served as the Chief Minister at the time, and with the assistance of Morari Bapu.
- To protect the Statue of belief from sunlight and rain, the copper-colored statue has been covered with zinc alloy.
- The area surrounding the statue will offer activities such as bungee jumping, zip lining, and Go-Kart racing, as well as a food court, amusement park, and jungle cafe for travelers to enjoy their day.
- It is situated on a mountaintop across an area of 51 bighas. The Statue of Belief height is 369 feet and has been adorned with unique lights that reduce its visibility from a distance of many kilometers.
- The world’s highest Shiva statue, ‘Viswas Swaroopam,’ contains lifts, stairs, and a devotee hall.
- Its construction required 3,000 tonnes of steel and iron, as well as 2.5 lakh cubic tonnes of concrete and sand.
- The statue was built to last 250 years and can resist wind speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour.
Did you know?
A team of 750 people labored diligently on the Rajasthan Shiva statue in Nathdwara, Rajasthan. The entire construction is made of concrete and reinforced by a steel framework. The exteriors are coated with liquid zinc first, then with copper.
There are three viewing chambers at three distinct levels – 20 feet, 110 feet, and 270 feet – and four lifts and three steps are placed to convey tourists from the bottom floor to an overall height of 270 feet.
Inside this massive structure is a large auditorium that can accommodate up to 10,000 worshipers at one time. If you are afraid of heights, you can observe the Nathdwara from a higher perspective by using the elevators inside the monument.
In front of the Shiva statue, a 2537-foot-tall statue of the Nandi cow has been erected. Both sculptures have recently been colored, and thus has become a popular photo location for tourists.
Activities to do in Statue of Belief – Wild Amusement Rides Combo
If you happen to reach the Statue of Belief during peak season, you can avail the Wild Amusement Combo offer just at Rs. 750. It includes eleven different activities among which kids amusement rids are included. They are as follows.
1. Zip Line (300 meter): The Zip Line is located at one corner of the Statue of Belief ground. IT is a great activity to try if you’re not afraid of heights.
2. Rope Course: The rope course is designed to teach you various tricks and tips you should know during mountain climbing. This activity if for our trekking enthusiasts.
3. Rocket Ejector: The Rocket ejector is another fun and cool ride you can try with your friends and family.
4. Rock Climbing: You can experience rock climbing near the Nathdwara Shiva Statue with your whole family and it is a great experience.
5. Swing Chair: The Swing Chair is a very popular ride to try on spot. IT is extremely thrilling and you might be scared to try it but its worth it.
6. Bull Ride: The Bull ride has to be among the more daunting rides to try. The adrenaline rush you feel when trying the bull ride is no joke.
7. Rush and Roulette: You have to try the Rush and Roulette when you reach the Statue of Belief. The ride is simply going to leave you feeling dizzy but you’ll have too much fun!
8. Bumper Cars: Just like the name bumping cars is just that. You’ll get into toy cars and start driving and its super entertaining.
9. Joint Swing: The joint swing just like the zip line is high up in altitude so those scared of heights must sit tight!
10. Kids Amusement Rides: If you’re worried about activities for kids, you must rest stress free! There’s a whole section available especially for kids to play in, so you can have a try at the other adult rides and let your kids off into their own Adventureland and have a great time!
How to Reach the statue of Belief
By Air
As we know the Statue of Belief is located in Nathdwara. Thereafter you can take a flight from any major city in India to Udaipur directly. On arriving at the airport, look for transport to reach the location. You can take a cab to Nathdwara and reach your destination on time.
By Road
The Statue of Belief can be reached by travelling on NH8. You can take a city bus or cabs from various famous spots of Rajasthan and Gujarat to reach this place. The communication of transport is quite nicely developed so you will not have difficulty travelling.
Statue of Belief Ticketing Instructions
There are tickets that you need to purchase, especially to enter the park and avail the various rides or galleries inside. The tickets as of now cannot be bought online, and only on spot. For further updates about Statue of Belief ticket price, keep an eye on the official tourism site of Rajasthan. The Statue of Belief timings is from 10 am to 8 pm.
Places to Visit Near the Statue of Belief
When planning an amusement-packed trip you must be aware of the various locations that are considered a must-visit in that area. Here, for your convenience, we have complied a concise list of the various place near Nathdwara.
1. Eklingji Temple
Eklingji is said to have been the Mewar monarchs’ reigning idol. Eklingji Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva, and its stunning architecture draws a large number of visitors each year. This temple is famed for its entrancing scent and a remarkable four-faced statue of Lord Shiva fashioned of black marble.
2. Nathdwara Shopping
Shopping is one of the most anticipated activities on the road, and you can indulge yourself while visiting Udaipur and the Nathdwara Shiva Statue. Aside from Picchvai paintings and clay handicrafts, there are also oil-based organic perfumes, tie-dye clothing, and a range of candies and treats to purchase.
3. The Dwarkadheesh Temple
The artistic styles of the Dwarkadheesh temple, which is located in Kankroli hamlet near the Navchauki Dam, are similar to those of Shreeji ki Haveli. The Dwarkadheesh Temple is another temple that is extremely important to Vaishnavas as well as the Vallabhacharya sect. It is thought that the red stone statue of Dwarkadheesh Shri Krishna was brought here from Mathura.
4. Charbhuja
Charbhuja is regarded Lord Vishnu’s fourth Dham (domicile). The temple is situated on the outskirts of Nathdwara’s main town, adjacent to the Bor Rajputs’ fort and the Statue of Belief. The temple has extremely elaborate architecture, which is mirrored in the carving on the side panels and the mirrored work.
5. Annakutta
In this city, the Annakutta festival is held with great zeal. It is associated with Lord Krishna and therefore is celebrated with fervor and excitement in Shrinathji’s temple. Thousands of visitors and locals visit the location.
6. Shrinathji Temple
The gorgeous temple has a story that dates back to Meera Bai’s period and is significant in Hindu mythological history. It is situated on the banks of the Banas River, 48 kilometers from the magnificent city of Udaipur. Devotees travel from all over the globe to see the idol in its various forms. The beautiful temple has a narrative that dates back to Meera Bai’s reign.
7. Jag Mandir Palace
Jag Mandir is three-storeyed and is made of yellow sandstone and marble. It is said that the temple’s construction began in 1551 under the reign of Maharana Amar Singh and saw it’s completion by Maharana Jagat Singh I. There are gardens around the Mandir that have a bunch of beautiful flowers and the path to this place is lined with food stalls which travellers enjoy the most.
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