Construction of tall statues has taken place since ancient times. Leshan Giant Buddha in China and Moai of Easter Island are some worth mentioning. However, the statues of recent times are even taller, reaching staggering heights. Besides giving an insight into the country’s rich culture and history, each of them also displays their brilliance and splendor in architecture.
Here is a comparison of the top six tallest statues in the world.
India’s Statue of Unity stands the tallest in the world, situated on an island on the Narmada River, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Built of bronze, the massive structure portrays Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the great Indian statesman and a founding father of the Republic of India. On 31st November 2018, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, inaugurated it on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 143rd birth anniversary.
Height: 597 ft (182 m)
Location: Narmada District, Gujarat, India
Completed in: 2018
The world’s second tallest statue, Spring Temple Buddha, is the tallest Buddha statue globally. It depicts Vairocana Buddha, a divine Buddha of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism. Located inside the Fodushan Scenic Area, the grand structure stands on a lotus throne placed on two pedestals. The idea of its construction came up after two colossal Buddhas in the Bamyan Valley of Afghanistan were destroyed by the Taliban regime. Made with copper, gold, and steel, the monument appears quite appealing with a reverse swastika engraved on its chest. The cost behind creating this work of art was indeed huge, a whopping amount of $55 million, with just $18 million only for the statue.
Height: 420 ft (128 m)
Location: Lushan County, Henan, China
Completed in: 2008
Laykyun Sekkya is a tall, golden statue of Gautama Buddha. It stands on a 13.5 m throne atop Po Kaung Hills in all its grandeur. Lying at its base is a huge statue of reclining Buddha built in 1991. The construction of Laykhun Sekkya, however, took 12 years, completed in 2008.
Height: 380 ft (116 m)
Location: Khatakan Taung, near Monywa, Myanmar
Completed in: 2008
The Statue of Belief is a colossal statue of Lord Shiva, possessing a staggering height of 351 feet (107 m). Located at Ganesh Tekri in Rajasthan’s Nathdwara, it is the tallest Shiva statue in the world made with steel and coated in copper, while the pedestal is of zinc. The trishul or trident is also eye-catching, reaching a breathtaking height of 315 feet (96m).
Height: 348 ft (106 m)
Location: Ganesh Tekri, Nathdwara, Rajasthan
Completed in: 2020
Sendai Daikannon is a tall, white statue in Daikanmitsuji Temple, representing Byakue Kannon, a Buddhist deity of compassion and mercy. Completed on September 1, 1991, it is shown bearing a gem in her right hand. One can access its top point using an elevator to take in the spectacular surrounding views of the mountains like Mount Aoba. Listed among the top five tallest statues in the world, Sendai Daikannon is also Japan’s tallest figure of a goddess.
Height: 330 ft (100 m)
Location: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Completed in: 1991
The towering statue of Ushiku Buddha standing on a lotus platform depicts Amitābha, the Buddha of Eternal Life. It is, in fact, the world’s tallest bronze Buddha statue located near downtown Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture. Its construction took six years, being completed in 2005. Visitors can get inside the statue via an elevator and take in the panoramic view of the area from the observation platform.
Height: 330 ft (100 m)
Location: Ushiku, Ibaraki, Japan
Completed in: 2005
Placed at Miyin Temple, this statue is a depiction of a Buddhist Bodhisattva Guanyin. The eleven-headed and thousand-armed Guanyin, personifying compassion, is made of bronze with a gold finish. It was constructed in 2009 with an investment of 260 million yuan by the Ningshan County Government along with local business and religious organizations.
Height: 324 ft (99 m)
Location: Weishan Township, Ningxiang, Hunan Province, China
Completed in: 2009
The tallest statue of the Philippines, Mother of All Asia, is also the world’s tallest Virgin Mary statue. It is the centerpiece of the pilgrimage site Montemaria, standing on a plateau that overlooks the Verde Island Passage. The figure has a crown with 12 stars representing the 12 apostles of Christ.
Height: 315 ft (96 m)
Location: Batangas, Philippines
Completed in: 2021
The tallest statue in Thailand, the Great Buddha of Thailand or Big Buddha, portrays Buddha in a sitting posture. Situated in Wat Muang Temple, it can be seen from quite a distance attracting visitors to get an up-close view. Though made of concrete, it is painted in gold, making it look majestic. The first chief monk of the temple, Phra Kru Vibul Arjarakhun, ordered its construction. Money was sourced from donations provided by ardent Buddhist followers to build it.
Height: 302 ft (92 m)
Location: Wiset Chai Chan, Ang Thong, Thailand
Completed in: 2021
The Motherland Calls, the world’s tallest statue of a woman, is on Mamayev Kurgan hill. It’s the centerpiece of a memorial complex built in memory of those Soviet soldiers who laid their lives in the Battle of Stalingrad. With a raised sword and outstretched arm, it symbolizes the Motherland ardent plea to her kids to continue their attack until the enemies are defeated. The 200 steps leading to the statue’s foot from the base of the hill represent the 200 days of the battle.
Height: 279 ft (85 m)
Location: Volgograd, Russia
Completed in: 1967
Also called the World Peace Giant Kannon, Awaji Kannon is a huge gypsum statue standing on top of a 5-storeyed building. It was built by a local businessman, Toyokichi Okunai, and remained a famous point of interest. However, after his death, improper maintenance, followed by an incident of suicide from the observation deck in February 2020, led to its permanent closure.
Height: 260 ft (80 m)
Location: Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Completed in: 1982
Tallest Monolithic Statue: Gommateshwara
Height: 57 ft (17 m)
Location: Karnataka, India
Tallest Statue of Jesus Christ: Christ the King
Height: 118 ft (36 m)
Location: Świebodzin, Poland
Tallest Hanuman Statue: Lord Hanuman Statue at Paritala Anjaneya Temple
Height: 135 ft (41 m)
Location: Andhra Pradesh, India
Tallest Bamboo Statue: St. Vincent Ferrer Statue
Height: 164.8 ft (50.2 m)
Location: Pangasinan, Philippines
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