On Hanuman Jayanti, PM Modi virtually inaugurates 108-foot Hanuman statue in Gujarat

On the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a 108-foot statue of Lord Hanuman in Morbi, Gujarat via video conferencing.

Earlier in the morning, the Prime Minister posted a tweet about the same. “Today, we mark the special occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. In Morbi, at 11 AM, a 108 feet statue of Hanuman ji will be inaugurated. I am honored to be getting the opportunity to be a part of this programme via video conferencing,” he said with the pictures of the statue of the deity.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, the statue is the second of four sculptures being created in four locations across the country - in the north, south, east & west - as a part of the 'Hanumanji Char Dham' initiative. The statue of Lord Hanuman in Morbi, the second of the four, is installed by the Shree Harish Chander Nanda Education and Charitable Trust.

The Shree Harish Chander Nanda Education and Charitable Trust was established in the name of philanthropist Nikhil Nanda's father for social and spiritual causes. The HCN Trust's stated objective is 'to make our world a better place for present and future generations to come in our country'. In 2008, the trust was also made responsible for constructing the tallest statue of Lord Hanuman, near Jakhoo Temple in Shimla. It took two years to build the statue which was unveiled by then Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

The statue in Shimla was the first of the 'Hanumanji Char Dham' initiative', while the second has been inaugurated by PM Modi today. Work on the third statue which is in the south has started at Rameswaram, the PMO has informed. 

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister extended greetings on Hanuman Jayanti. “Best wishes to all the countrymen on the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman -- a symbol of strength, courage and restraint. By the grace of ‘Pawanputra’, may everyone's life always be filled with strength, intelligence and knowledge,” PM Modi tweeted in Hindi.

Hanuman Jayanti's Significance

Hanuman Jayanti is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Hanuman. Adherents all over India conduct poojas or aartis in the lunar month of Chaitra in the Hindu calendar. Hanuman Jayanti is observed on a Full Moon day. Kesari and Anjana’s child, Hanuman is also known as Pavan Putra and is Lord Ram's greatest devotee.

In the Ramayana, Hanuman fought alongside Lord Ram and his Vanar Sena army in the battle against Ravan. Hanuman is also regarded as Lord Shiva's incarnation. This is because before he was born, his parents, Anjana and Kesari, sat in devotion and repentance to Lord Shiva.

The auspicious occasion of Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with pomp and splendour across India, with people paying obeisance and offering prayers to Lord Hanuman, and reciting verses of the Hanuman Chalisa to ward off evil from their lives and to be blessed with strength. 

Image: Twitter