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Statue of Belief

Statue of Belief is a colossal statue of Shiva in the south of Nathdwara, Rajasthan, India, about 40 kilometers north of Udaipur. At 112.5 meters tall, it was the tallest Shiva statue in the world as of 2022. Shiva is shown seated cross-legged with a meditative expression, holding a trishula in his left hand and wearing a snake on his shoulders. The structure was designed in three layers: a brick core, a structural steel frame, and a concrete shell. Its surface was treated with zinc and finished with a copper coating, giving it a copper-red-brown color. The complex includes meditation and visitor spaces, and the statue is illuminated at night.

The Statue of Belief, a massive seated Shiva statue with a cobra and trident on a large base under a cloudy sky.
The Statue of Belief rises above the surrounding grounds in Nathdwara, Rajasthan.
February 2022 © Kunwar Nadaan · CC0
The Statue of Belief rises above scaffolding, with a crane behind it and power lines in the foreground.
The Statue of Belief under construction, with scaffolding at the base and a crane towering behind it.
November 2019 © Ninara · CC BY 2.0
The Statue of Belief under construction, with scaffolding and a crane around its unfinished upper sections.
The Statue of Belief rises under construction, surrounded by scaffolding and a crane.
June 2017 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Statue of Belief under construction, draped in scaffolding and protective netting with a crane beside it.
The Statue of Belief in Nathdwara is shown under construction, surrounded by scaffolding and a crane.
November 2018 © · CC BY 4.0
Statue of Belief seen from behind, with scaffolding, a crane, and a cloudy sky
The Statue of Belief under construction, with scaffolding and a crane around the colossal seated figure.
November 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleStatue of Belief
TypeColossal statue
Alternative namesVishvās kī Mūrti; Vishvās Svarūpam; Vishwas Swaroopam

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figureShiva
Depicted figure significanceOne of the principal gods of Hinduism

Location and ownership

Interior featuresExhibition hall and public viewing platforms
Associated facilitiesMeditation room, visitor lounge, administrative office, and VIP lounge
Viewing platformsTwo platforms accessed by elevator, at 6.1 meters, 34 meters, and 82 meters above ground
Site facilitiesParking lot, three herb gardens, lunch courtyard, laser fountain, handicraft shopping area, viewing points, musical fountains, souvenir shops, pond, and tourist train
Panoramic viewpointsTwo viewpoints offering panoramic views of the surrounding area
Proximity to UdaipurApproximately 40 kilometers south of Udaipur
LocationNathdwara, Rajasthan, India, south of Udaipur

Creator

Concept designStudio Maturam Art
Structural designSkeleton Consultants
Construction contractorShapoorji Pallonji E & C
ArtistMurtikar Naresh Kumawat
Conceived byMadan Paliwal, chairman of the Miraj Group

History and restoration

Planning began2012
Reason for height increaseA symbolic depiction of the holy river Ganga flowing from Shiva's matted hair was added near the top shortly before completion
Officially inaugurated byAshok Gehlot, Morari Bapu, and other guests of honor
Inauguration date29 October 2022
Completion dateEarly 2020
Construction beganEarly 2016
Design began2011

Physical characteristics

VisibilityReportedly visible from up to 20 kilometers away
Night appearanceIlluminated in color at night
Hand attributeTrishula in the left hand
Site areaAbout 7 hectares (16 acres)
Additional figure size7.6 meters high and 11 meters long
Additional figureNandi, Shiva's bull
Facial expressionMeditative
Foot positionLeft foot placed over the right knee
PoseSeated with legs crossed
Pedestal height34 meters
Height112.5 meters

Materials

StructureReinforced concrete core, structural steel frame, and ultra-high-performance concrete cladding
Surface treatmentCleaned and sandblasted, then sprayed with liquefied zinc and finished with a copper coating
Final surface colorCopper-red-brown

Significance

World rankingTallest Shiva statue in the world as of 2022

Other

Public accessOpen to visitors since inauguration
Expected durabilityReportedly designed to preserve the statue for up to 250 years
Wind resistanceCan withstand wind speeds of up to 250 km/h