Statue of Unity Inauguration: Have a look at 10 world's tallest statues
Interestingly, seven out of 10 world's tallest statues have been built to celebrate Buddhist Gods. Sardar Patel, Chinese emperors Yan and Huang and Russian Czar Peter I are the only humans to have been honoured with tallest statues in the world.
India today added a glistening jewel to its tourist destinations - the world's tallest statue. The 182-metre high statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel stands tall at the banks of Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat's Kevadiya. Interestingly, seven out of 10 world's tallest statues have been built to celebrate Buddhist Gods. Sardar Patel, Chinese emperors Yan and Huang and Russian Czar Peter I are the only humans to have been honoured with tallest statues in the world.
Here are the top 10 tallest statues of the world:
1. Statue of Unity, India, 182 metres
Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel's statue, inagurated on October 31, is the world's tallest statue. Located near Narmada dam in Gujarat, the Statue of Unity has been made with iron collected from farmers across the nation. An army of over 3,000 workers, including 300 engineers worked for three and a half year to build this statue.
Sardar Patel is credited with uniting all 562 princely states in pre-independent India to build the Republic of India -- hence the name of the statue.
2. Spring Temple Buddha, China, 153 meters
Located in Henan, China, Spring Temple Buddha is the second tallest statue in the world. Starting in 1997, the construction of this statue completed in the year 2008. The statue is standing on 20 meter tall lotus throne, consist of 1100 pieces of a copper cast.
The name of this statue comes from the hot spring situated near the site. It was estimated $55 million for the construction of Spring temple Buddha.
3. Laykyun Setkyar, Myanmar, 116 meters
The third tallest statue in the world has a height of 116 meters, situated in Monywa, Myanmar. The construction of Laykyun Setkyar started in 1996 and completed in 2008. The statue actually stands on 13.5 meter throne.
There is also an elevator inside the statue for visitors to reach the top for enjoying the panoramic view of the city. Visitors can also see 89 meter lying Buddha next to Laykyun Setkyar statue.
4. Ushiku Daibutsu, Japan 110 meters
Another Buddha statue, Ushiku Daibutsu is located in Ushiku city of Japan. The statue has a height of 110 meters without measuring 10 meters tall base. This Buddha statue was completely made of Bronze.
There are four different levels within the statue, visitors can reach the top by using the elevator. At first level visitors can hear beautiful music, the 2nd level completely dedicated for scriptural studies, the third level filled with 30000 Buddha statues. From the top level, visitors can watch the beautiful gardens within the surroundings of the statue.
5. Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya, China, 108 meters
Guan Yin of the South Sea of Sanya is a statue of Buddhist Goddess of compassion, sited in Hainan province of China. This statue has a height of 108 meters. This statue has three different faces to represent blessing from the Goddess all over the world.
The first face looks towards the inland and other two faces point towards the sea. It took almost six years to complete the giant statue.
6. Emperors Yan and Huang, China, 106 meters
These sculptures are built to commemorate Chinese emperors Yan and Huang. The construction of these statues started in 1987 and took over 20 years for its completion. These statues have height of 106 meter, located in Henan province of China.
Government spent $22.5 million for the construction of these statues. The eyes of these statues are 3 meters wide and nose have a length of 6 meters.
7. Sendai Daikannon, Japan, 100 meters
Sendai Daikannan is a 100 meters tall statue located in Sendai, Japan. The statue represents the Japanese Buddhist Bodhisattva. This statue stands at the top of a hill in Sendai, provides a view from many parts of the city.
Sendai Daikannon holds a jewel in her right hand to grant wishes and a water flask in her left hand to pour the water of wisdom. Through the elevators, tourist can reach the top of the statue and can view the entire city.
8. Peter the Great statue, Russia, 96 meters
This statue was built in the memory of Russian emperor Peter I, who ruled the country for 43 years. The 98 meters tall Peter the Great statue facing Moskva river in Moscow city. The statue was designed by the Georgian designer Zurab Tsereteli, used 600 tons of stainless steel and Bronze. Peter the great statue weighs 100 tons and it unveiled in the year 1997.
9. Great Buddha of Thailand, Thailand, 92 meters
Great Buddha of Thailand is the tallest statue in the country, measuring a height of 92 meters. The construction of this statue started in 1990 and completed in 2008. The entire statue made of cement and covered with golden paint. This giant Buddha statue was constructed by the principles of Theravada Buddhism.
10. Grand Buddha at Lingshan, China, 88 meters
It is one of the largest statues of Buddha in China, located in Longshan mountain. The statue has a height of 88 meters, completely made of bronze, weighs 700 tons. This tourist spots covers an area of 74 acres and contains many Buddhist sites