Thiruvalluvar Statue
Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanyakumari:
This lovely statue is dedicated to the great philosopher and poet Thiruvalluvar and is located on a small island near Kanyakumari. Thiruvalluvar wrote Tirukkural, the classic Tamil text, which is considered a literary legend. In his devotion, construction on the monument began in 1990 and proceeded until 1999, when the sculpture was eventually completed. This monument stands 133 feet tall and sits atop a 38-foot pedestal. The pedestal's height corresponds to the 38 chapters of virtue in Thirukkural. This place, which is rich in symbolic and cultural value, is breathtaking and a must-see. V. Ganapati Sthapati created the statue, which was unveiled on January 1, 2000.
The monument is situated in a wonderful location, surrounded by water, and a short ferry journey will immediately transport you to the masterpiece. With the beautiful blue sky in the background and the crystal clear sea waters below, this place paints a humbling picture. The statue's grounds also include a temple, which serves as a peaceful place to meditate. The resounding silence of this sanctuary will lull your thoughts into introspective peace. Furthermore, it is an excellent choice if you want to spend a few hours away from the monotony of daily life. The statue, dedicated to the Saint-poet, which was unveiled at the beginning of the new millennium, rises tall as the flare of light that even today continues to lead human life.
As previously stated, this statue rises at an impressive height of 133 feet, including the platform it sits on. The three-level platforms here are called the Atharapeedam, and they include the Alankara Mandapa. This mandapa is adorned with elephant figurines, giving it a majestic appearance. The head of the Thiruvalluvar statue is 200 meters above sea level. The statue, designed in the classic Indian architectural style, is hollow from head to toe. The platform is 38 feet long, with the remainder of the statue measuring 95 feet. It weights over 14 million pounds.
Another distinguishing feature of the Thiruvalluvar monument is that each detail on the face, from the eyes to the mouth, has been hand sculpted. Each is constructed of individual stones and supported with ironwood and Palmyra stubs. During construction, around 18000 ironwood poles were tightly linked to two truckloads of strong ropes to reach the summit of Saint-poet Thiruvalluvar's statue.
The Thiruvalluvar Statue's waist is slightly bowed, comparable to Lord Shiva's dancing stance, Nataraja. Furthermore, the elephants in the mandapam represent the ten orders provided by King Dashratha to his charioteer. The 38-foot platform depicts the 38 parts of Virtue in the Book of Aram. The gigantic work of art is a major symbol that implies that both Love and Wealth, when gained, can be enjoyed as long as they are founded on morality.
The remaining 95 feet of the statue represent the chapters of Porul and Imbal, respectively. It represents the Kural book's second and third halves, namely Wealth and Love. The right hand with three fingers pointing to the sky represents three cantos of the wonderful text: Aram, Porul, and Inbam, which stand for Virtue, Wealth, and Love. As a result, this statue is a physical representation of Thiruvalluvar's beliefs.