The Adiyogi statue is a 34-meter-tall (112 ft) excluding plinth, 45-metre-long (147 ft) and 7.62-metre-wide (24.99 ft) statue of the Indian deity Shiva with white Thirunamam at Coimbatore in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, which has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the “Largest Bust Sculpture” in the world. Designed by Jaggi Vasudev, founder of the Isha Foundation, it was built by the foundation and weighs around 500 tonnes (490 long tons; 550 short tons). Jaggi said that the statue is for inspiring and promoting yoga, and is named Adiyogi, which means “the first yogi” because Shiva is known as the originator of yoga.
The Adiyogi statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Isha Yoga Centre on the outskirts of Coimbatore on 24 February 2017 on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri — a Hindu festival celebrated annually as a marriage of Lord Shiva with Maa Parvati. Soon later, the the112.4 feet high statue of Shiva was declared the largest bust sculpture in the world by Guinness World Records and listed as an Inconceivable Indian destination.
The Indian Ministry of Tourism has included the statue as a consecration destination in its official Incredible India campaign. The Adiyogi Statue has been recognized as the “Largest Bust Sculpture” by Guinness World Records.
This towering statue is set in the background of verdant lush greenery and the Velliangiri hills, which further makes it an interesting spot to visit.
Various environmental activists and groups protested the inauguration claiming that the statue was built in the catchment area of the Noyyal River, thus affecting biodiversity and violating building bylaws. A Public Interest Litigation was also filed by Vellingiri Hill Tribal Protection Society in the Madras High Court challenging the construction of the statue. However, the Madras High court on August 12 2016 dismissed the plea, stating no merit or piece of evidence in it.
The non-profit organization that owns this place constantly holds artistic programs, games, feasts, dialogues, and other intriguing events in front of the Adiyogi Shiva statue. One can see an antique place of deification at the base of the statue, where they can conclude to meditate and chant. There are no restrictions as similar for this spot to most of the other contemplation or revered spots; you can indeed seal the memories of your trip with a selfie with Adiyogi.
DESCRIPTION
Adiyogi is located at the Isha Yoga complex which houses the Dhyanalinga in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu at the foothills of Velliangiri Mountains, a range in the Western Ghats. The statue was designed over two years and manufactured within eight months. The bust is cast in steel. The height of the statue, 112 ft (34 m), symbolizes the 112 possibilities to attain moksha (liberation) that are mentioned in yogic culture. Jaggi also said that the height represents the 112 chakras in the human system. The Isha Foundation plans to erect such statues in three more locations in the eastern, western, and northern parts of India — Varanasi, Mumbai, and Delhi. The statue’s face is the world’s tallest bust of Shiva. The tallest Shiva statue is the Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in Nepal 20-km east of the capital, Katmandu, which is 44 meters (143 ft) tall.
A Linga called “Yogeshwar Linga” was consecrated through the ceremony called prana pratishtha, and is placed in front of the Adiyogi statue. This linga has five chakras — Muladhara (root chakra), Svadhishthana (sacral chakra), Manipura (solar plexus chakra), Vishuddhi (throat chakra), and Ajna (third eye chakra), and each one of them has sixteen dimensions. The linga specifically has no Anahata (heart chakra) as it is to represent “a heartless yogi”, not heartless as being insensitive but inclusive who doesn’t need emotions. Jaggi notes that the statue is named as “Adiyogi”, which means “the first yogi”, as Shiva is known as the originator of yoga. The South-facing Adiyogi is also called Dakshinamurthy and Adi Guru (first Guru).
INAUGURATION
In 2014, on Guru Poornima, a 6.4-metre (21 ft) version of the same statue was unveiled at the Isha Yoga Center. This version weighed 30 tonnes and was constructed in three months by a team of fifteen people. This statue was also made of steel. On 30 January 2017, a replica model of the statue was taken out in a procession. The main statue was inaugurated by Narendra Modi(Current Prime Minister of India) on Maha Shivaratri, 24 February 2017. He also inaugurated the book Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga written by Jaggi and Arundhathi Subramaniam, and lit the yajna fire for the Maha Yoga Yagna. Notable politicians present at the event include Tamil Nadu Governor C. Vidyasagar Rao, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, and Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi. Along with politicians, various celebrities from Bollywood as well as Kollywood like actresses Juhi Chawla and Kajal Aggarwal were also present.
To mark the unveiling of the statue, the song “Adiyogi — The source of Yoga” was released by the Isha Foundation on YouTube on 19 February 2017. The song was sung and composed by Kailash Kher with the lyrics being written by Prasoon Joshi and also performed live at the inaugural function by Kher. Narendra Modi at the inauguration mentioned that “[by] practicing Yoga, a spirit of oneness is created. Oneness of mind, body and the intellect, oneness with our families and with the society we live in, with fellow humans and with birds, animals, and trees.” Another 6.4-meter (21 ft) statue of Adiyogi was unveiled in Tennessee, USA, in October 2015 by the Isha Foundation. The abode called “Adiyogi: The Abode of Yoga” in Tennessee is spread over a 2,800 m2 (30,000 sq ft) area and the project cost over $8 million.
HOW TO REACH THE ADIYOGI SHIVA STATUE?
You’ll find this spot some 30 km away from Coimbatore town. So, you can board a local auto or hire a private taxi to reach this place.
The statue is in the Dhyanalinga complex. However, it’ll take you to the gate of the complex, If you take the state transport bus from the Gandhipuram bus stage. From the Dhyanalinga Temple, you need to walk for around 7 minutes to reach the form. Still, if you aren’t willing to take that short walk, you’ll find rickshaws and bullock wagons staying for you. You can shop some of our related items here.
