The fervour of building the world’s tallest statues has spread from India to America. After the beauty and enormity of America’s largest Hindu temple in New Jersey stunned everyone, the world’s tallest Lord Murugan statue is coming up in North Carolina. It is highly anticipated from the project details that the statue will surpass the height of not only North America’s tallest Hanuman statue, but also the Statue of Liberty. The 155-foot Murugan Statue project has gained a great deal of attention for its cultural significance and architectural scale.
North Carolina to home the world’s tallest statue of Murugan
North Carolina is an emerging spiritual destination for Indians away from India. The state is a second home to the growing populace of South Indian immigrants from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka where Lord Murugan – another name of Karthikeya – is highly venerated for wisdom, prosperity, success, and victory. Many Indians from the US and Canada take their visiting parents and friends to Somesvara Temple atop Mouth Soma, also known as Mount Kailas of America, in North Carolina. The Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina, with the tallest Gopuram in the US, is nicknamed the Tirupati Balaji Temple of East Coast.
Carolina Murugan Temple project details
The world’s tallest statue of Lord Murugan is being planned in Moncure in Chatham County, NC. 130 acres of land will be converted into a lush green, spectacular temple campus in phases. A short road trip from Cary and Raleigh takes to Moncure. The statue will be standing on a pedestal of about 35 feet in height and command an astounding height of 190 feet from ground to the top. This is a new project, not an extension of any existing temple.
Carolina Murugan temple and 155-foot statue: Key features
Apart from the statue as a central landmark, the Carolina Murugan Temple campus will be developed as a cultural hub and a spiritual hotspot.
- Main Sanctum for Lord Murugan: A traditional South-Indian-style garbhagriha where daily rituals, abhishekams, and special pujas will be conducted.
- Temples for Other Deities: Separate shrines for accompanying deities to support complete worship traditions in one campus.
- Meditation and Learning Halls: Quiet indoor spaces for yoga, meditation, scripture learning, sloka recitals, and spiritual workshops.
- Cultural and Festival Event Areas: Open and enclosed spaces to host Tamil and Hindu festivals, community events, music and dance programs.
- Walking Pathway for Devotees: Dedicated paths will be laid leading to the statue, the main temple and other shrines, offering a calm and reflective experience.
- Community Gathering Zones: Areas designed for families and groups to meet, connect, and celebrate their cultures.
- Ample Green and Open Space: The campus layout will preserve natural surroundings to maintain peace and serenity.
What is estimated cost of 155-foot Murugan statue in North Carolina
The Carolina Murugan Temple project will be developed in phases, thereby allowing the community to accumulate the fund for both the statue and the campus. The Phase 1 construction is already underway and is estimated to cost approximately $3 to $5 million. The site preparation, the main temple, three gopurams, and a road surrounding the campus will be completed in the first phase. The 155-foot statue installation and the full campus development will take place in the later phases. This long-term project is expected to cost more than 10 million dollars by the time it will be completed. The work is being helmed by a registered non-profit Hindu religious entity in the US. There is no government funding involved, except donations from:
- Indian immigrant organizations across the US
- South Indian communities in North Carolina
- Tamil diaspora families across the USA
- Donations from devotees worldwide
- Cultural fundraising events
- Sponsorship and square-foot donation programs
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