Canada: In a moment of spiritual pride and cultural celebration, Canada witnessed the unveiling of North America's tallest Lord Ram statue on Sunday, August 4, 2025. The grand inauguration ceremony took place at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, and was attended by thousands of devotees, dignitaries, and political leaders.
The 51-foot high idol of Shri Ram, not including the additional 7-foot pedestal and proposed chhatri (umbrella), is now a towering symbol of Sanatan Dharma in the West. Crafted in Delhi using fibreglass and a steel superstructure, the statue has been engineered to withstand winds of up to 200 km/h and is expected to last over a century. The event marked the completion of a four-year-long project, made possible through a generous donation by Indo-Canadian business leader Laj Prasher. The idol, fabricated in India, was assembled locally in Canada by skilled craftsmen, reflecting a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering.
The ceremony drew notable figures from Canadian politics, including Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, and Andrew Scheer, interim leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons. Each expressed admiration for the spiritual and cultural significance of the occasion.
Sidhu greeted the gathering with a heartfelt “Jai Shri Ram” and called the installation of the tallest Ram idol in North America “something to be very proud of.” Representing the Indian government was Acting Consul General Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, highlighting the strong cultural ties between India and Canada. Acharya Surinder Sharma Shastri, founder and head priest of the Hindu Heritage Centre, described the murti as more than just an artistic creation. “This is a spiritual gift to the community,” he said. “A reminder that righteousness must always guide our path.” Inspired by the Ram Janmabhoomi temple inauguration in Ayodhya in 2024, the Canadian statue mirrors that divine momentum overseas.
A shower of flower petals marked the moment of unveiling, symbolising devotion, reverence, and divine blessings. Over 10,000 devotees gathered to witness the event, filling the temple grounds with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and deep emotion. One of the most symbolic aspects of the idol’s placement is its visibility from the skies. The temple lies directly in the path of flights descending to Toronto Pearson International Airport, meaning the towering statue of Lord Ram will soon be among the first sights to greet passengers flying into the city.
Kushagr Sharma, the principal organiser of the event, said, “This was not just a celebration of faith. It was a proud moment for all Canadians who value cultural harmony and spiritual heritage.”
The Lord Ram statue in Canada now stands as a beacon of devotion, heritage, and unity, reflecting the global reach of Sanatan Dharma and Indian culture. Its inauguration is not only a milestone for the Hindu community in North America but also a symbol of intercultural respect and spiritual inspiration. As the statue takes its place in the skyline of Mississauga, it invites both Canadians and visitors to reflect on the enduring values of dharma, righteousness, and unity that Lord Ram embodies.
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