There's big news out of Sugar Land, Texas, where a colossal new statue has recently been unveiled, and it's turning quite a few heads—not just because of its size but also because of what it represents. The “Statue of Union,” standing tall at 89.7 feet, has become the third-tallest statue in the United States. But this isn't just any statue of a famous American figure or historical icon. Instead, it honors a Hindu deity with the head of a monkey!
Yes, you heard that right. This gigantic statue, which was inaugurated on August 18 at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Hindu Temple, depicts Lord Hanuman, one of Hinduism’s many deities. Hanuman is known for his incredible strength, unwavering devotion, and selfless service. Most often, he's portrayed with the head and tail of a monkey, and this new statue certainly captures his iconic image.
Prana pratishtha held today in Houston, Texas for this 90ft tall Hanuman murthi
It is now the 3rd tallest statue in the United States pic.twitter.com/N7sNZaikBF
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) August 19, 2024
Now, just to put things in perspective, when we talk about the statue's height, we're saying it's up there with the Statue of Liberty in New York City and the “Pegasus and Dragon” in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
Those are some pretty big names in the world of giant statues! The “Statue of Union” is a vision brought to life by Swami Chinna Jeeyar, a respected Hindu religious leader. This statue is just one of many impressive structures that swamis from his sect have overseen.
But not everything has been smooth sailing. While the statue was under construction, the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple found itself at the center of a legal storm. Earlier this year, a Fort Bend County resident, Vijay Cheruvu, filed a lawsuit after claiming his 11-year-old son was branded during a religious ceremony at the temple.
And we're not talking about a minor injury here—the boy was allegedly left with burns in the shape of religious symbols on his shoulders. This incident has sparked outrage and concern in the community, with Cheruvu seeking over $1 million in damages.
According to the lawsuit, the boy attended the ceremony with his mother, who had also been branded by the temple a year earlier. The family’s lawyer, Brant Stogner, has expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the trauma and confusion the boy has experienced.
And it's not just the boy—nearly 100 adults and at least three children were allegedly branded during that ceremony. The incident has left many in the community shocked and demanding answers.