Bengaluru: As once already reported in these columns, the proposed tallest Vishwakarma statue in the world is finally taking shape, literally.
The plan had been set in motion some time ago. But the right kind of rock to sculpt it and the place to erect it had not been identified until recently.
Now it is official. The work will be launched at the Koida rock in Devanahalli taluk in the district on Feb 22. The brain behind the project, gold tycoon and state president of the Vishwakarma Mahasabha, K P Nanjundi, has informed that the work will be formally given a beginning by chief minister Siddaramaiah. KPCC president Dr G Parameshwar and AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh will be present on the occasion.
Nanjundi said that the Vishwakarma artisans, over the centuries, had been sculpting statues and figurines of deities of other different communities. But, having been denied of political empowerment, they were not able to have a sculpture of their own deity so far.
Dimensions
He further said that the Gomateshwara monolith at Sravananbelagola stood 58 feet tall, but the proposed Vishwakarma statue in single rock would 71 feet tall, 24 feet wide and 12 feet in the third dimension. It will be erected on a pedestal of height of 30 feet, giving it a total height of 101 feet.
A search was on to identify the right spot on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway to erect it. Now it has been decide to erect it on a 4-acre land in Channapatna, a town known for production of wooden toys. Shrines dedicated to other deities of the community like Vighneswara, Shri Kalikadevi and Shri Siddhappaji will also be set up there.
The cost factor
Well-known sculptor from Tamil Nadu, Daksinamoorthy, will take up the chisel job, with the assistance of 150 artisans. The most amazing aspect of a project of this magnitude and dimensions is that it would not depend on any government grant or seek to raise donations from the public. The total cost, estimated at Rs 30 crore, will be defrayed by none other than Nanjundi himself.
The deity and the community
Vishwakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and architects. Son of Brahma, he is the divine draftsman of the whole universe, and the official builder of all the gods’ palaces. Vishwakarma is also the designer of all the flying chariots of the gods, and all their weapons.
The Vishwakarma community is a group that is sometimes referred to as a caste and which comprises five sub-groups, namely, carpenters, blacksmiths, bell metalworkers, goldsmiths and stonemasons. They regard themselves as having descended from the Hindu god Vishwakarma. They worship various forms of this deity and follow five Vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda, and Pranava Veda
Earlier report:
Bangalore: World’s Tallest Vishwakarma Statue to Come up beside City-Mysore Highway
