About our visit to Sri Ramanuja Statue (Samata Murthy) / Statue of Equality, Hyderabad.

 

I and my wife visited Sri Ramanuja Statue (Samata Murthy) also popularly known as Statue of Equality (Hyderabad),  today  5th March 2022, exactly a month after it was inaugurated by Sri Narendra Modi, our Prime Minister. After entering the complex we first offered our respects and prayers at the 108 Divya Deshams (108 temples, representing great temples and centres of pilgrimage from all over our country) and then at the 216 feet high Panchaloha ‘Statue of equality’ and then at the 54 inches high pure Gold Statue of Ramanujacharya weighing 120 kilograms, which is in the floor below, right under the Statue of Equality. This Golden Statue where daily prayers and rituals are offered was unveiled by Sri Ram Nath Kovind, our President, on 13th February 2022. And after the Kalyanotsavam at all the 108 Divya Desams on 14th February, the entire complex was opened for devotees from 15th February 2022.

The Statue of Equality is located at Sri Ramanagaram/Divya Saketam, beyond Shamshabad, along Kurnool/Bangalore Highway, 40 km from our house in Secunderabad. The complex is open for devotees’ from 3 pm to 9 pm on weekdays and from 11 pm to 9 pm on Saturday and Sunday. At the exit, ‘Prasadam’ is offered to all devotees.

The entry fee is Rs.150/- per person, and Rs. 40/- for Car parking. And for the convenience of devotees, there is a Cafeteria with a limited menu and neat Restrooms.

At all internet sites associated with this place, it was mentioned that photography and videography are prohibited and such equipment will have to be deposited at the Ticket Counter. Believing this and as disciplined persons, we took some photographs and videos that you see here from outside the complex and left our Mobile phones, DSLR Camera and Camcorder in our Car and entered the Complex. Then we found that despite the Prohibitory Notice Boards and objection by security staff here and there through whistles, almost every family and individual took out their mobile phones and took pictures everywhere and all the time. We later learnt that photography is allowed only on the way to and around the Statue of Equality and is supposed to be strictly prohibited at all the 108 Divya Desams and Sri Ramanujacharya Golden Statue.

If you think that majority of the people of Hyderabad break traffic rules, come to this complex to see how they break rules right under the noses of the security staff, ignoring them with no fear or shame.

VIDEO: