PM, President to attend unveiling of Ramanujacharya statue

Kovind to inaugurate 54-inch idol of gold at Muchintal ashram on Feb.5

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the world the ‘Statue of Equality’ to mark the 1000th birth anniversary of Vaishnavite saint Ramanujacharya at the sprawling ashram of Tradandi Chinna Jeeya Swamy at Muchintal on the city outskirts, on February 5.

President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate a 54-inch idol of gold weighing 120 kg, representing the number of years the 11th century saint lived, in the huge meditation hall at the base of the 216-foot statue by participating in the first pooja on February 13, official sources said quoting indications from New Delhi. The statue is considered the second tallest in the world in sitting position. It is named such to symbolise equality because the saint had differed with his teacher on interpreting Vedic texts and preached that people of all castes, creed and religions were equal.

The State government has made elaborate arrangements for the twin programmes to be attended by the VVIPs as it is co-hosting the event.