Statue of Equality, Hyderabad
Muchintal, Telangana
The Statue of Equality is a giant seated statue of Sri Ramanujacharya, the 11th-century Vaishnava philosopher and saint, at Muchintal on the outskirts of Hyderabad. At 216 feet it is one of the tallest seated statues in the world, and it stands on the grounds of the Jeeyar Integrated Vedic Academy (JIVA), a campus of about 45 acres. It was built to mark the 1,000th birth anniversary of Ramanuja, who taught that all people are equal before God. The pink stone temple halls around the statue are lit up in the evening, and the fountain and light shows make it a popular evening visit.
What to see and do
- See the huge golden seated statue of Ramanujacharya
- Walk through the carved pink stone halls and the elephant sculptures around the base
- Stay for the evening, when the statue and the halls are lit, and see the fountain and laser shows (times vary, check locally)
- Walk the wide open plaza and the gardens of the campus
Ideal for
- Devotees of the Sri Vaishnava tradition and followers of Ramanuja
- Families and elders looking for an easy, memorable evening
- Photographers, especially after dark when the statue is lit
Good to know
- It is about 60 km from Hyderabad by one guide, near Shamshabad and the airport, so allow about 1.5 to 2 hours from the city (estimate)
- Entry is about Rs 200 for adults and Rs 125 for children by most sources, but one source gives a different price, so check the official site before you go
- Timings differ between sources, roughly 6 am to 8 pm, and some sources say it is closed on Wednesdays or on the last Wednesday of the month, so check locally
- The evening fountain and laser show times differ by source, and may vary by weekday and weekend
- Dress modestly, and expect crowds at weekends and holidays
- A half day is suggested to see everything, but an evening visit of about 2 hours covers the main sights
Spiritual significance
The Statue of Equality honours Ramanujacharya, who is remembered for opening the doors of temple worship and spiritual learning to people of all backgrounds. For visitors to Hyderabad, it gives a modern, uplifting end to a pilgrimage of the Telugu-country temples.
Why it matters
- A giant seated statue: among the tallest seated statues in the world
- A message of equality: Ramanuja taught that all are equal before God
- An evening spectacle: the lit statue and halls, with fountain and laser shows