(PC: indiatoday)
In a historic celebration of faith and cultural heritage, the Bhavani Shankar Mandir in Brampton unveiled a 54-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, now officially the tallest Shiva statue in North America. Towering above Nexus Avenue, the statue has instantly become a spiritual landmark and a symbol of the South Asian community’s growing presence in Canada.
Sculpted by a Master, Powered by the People
The statue was designed and sculpted by Naresh Kumar Kumawat, a renowned artist from Rajasthan, India, whose work spans over 80 countries and includes more than 200 monumental sculptures. Kumawat is also the creative force behind:
- The 55-foot Hanuman statue at Hindu Sabha Mandir, Brampton
- The 51-foot Ram statue at Hindu Heritage Centre, Mississauga
- A 75-foot Samudra Manthan mural in India’s new Parliament building
- The 369-foot Shiva statue in Nathdwara, Rajasthan—one of the tallest in the world
The Brampton Shiva statue was constructed over two years, assembled in multiple pieces, and features Lord Shiva in his meditative pose with blue skin, a trident (trishul), a staff, and a serpent around his neck.
A Community-Led Triumph
The project was made possible through grassroots fundraising, generous donations, and volunteer labor. The unveiling ceremony included a Rath Yatra procession, traditional consecration rites, and collective chanting of “Har Har Mahadev,” drawing thousands of devotees from across the Greater Toronto Area.
More Than a Monument
Visible from multiple vantage points across Brampton, the statue is expected to become a major tourist and spiritual destination, especially during weekend pujas and festivals when the temple plaza comes alive with processions, flower offerings, and devotional music. For Canada’s Indian diaspora, the installation is more than architectural—it’s a living symbol of heritage, resilience, and identity, bridging continents and generations