A massive new statue has been unveiled in the United States. However, the gigantic structure is not dedicated to a famous American or historical figure, but to the ape-headed god of a polytheistic group.

The “Statue of Union” was inaugurated on August 18 at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Hindu Temple in Sugar Land, Texas.

It depicts the Hindu god Hanuman, one of the countless deities of this religion. Hanuman, a god of strength, devotion and selfless service, is most commonly depicted with the head and tail of a monkey.

The monument is exactly 27.3 meters high, making it the third tallest statue in the United States, according to the Statue of Union website.

Data from World Atlas supports this claim, showing that only the Statue of Liberty in New York City and Pegasus and the Dragon in Hallendale Beach, Florida, are taller works.

Plans to build the statue were first presented to the public in August 2023.

The statue is a “vision” of Swami Chinna Jeeyar, a Hindu religious leader and ascetic. The Sugar Land statue is one of many swamis from his sect that have been built.

A video shows the size of the statue seen from its pedestal.

Prana Pratishtha took place today in Houston, Texas for this 90 feet tall Hanuman Murthi

It is now the third tallest statue in the United States pic.twitter.com/N7sNZaikBF

— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) 19 August 2024

Earlier this year, while the statue was still under construction, the Houston-area Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple was embroiled in controversy and involved in a massive legal battle.

In a lawsuit filed April 1, Fort Bend County resident Vijay Cheruvu claimed his 11-year-old son was branded on the shoulders by the temple during a religious ceremony. He is seeking more than $1 million in damages.

The boy was allegedly branded while attending the ceremony with his mother and without Cheruvu’s knowledge. The mother was allegedly branded by the temple in August 2023.

In images obtained by Houston Public Media, two are burned into the boy’s shoulders. One appears to be a shell-like symbol, the other the image of a Hindu god.

“This is happening practically on our doorstep and that is why we filed a lawsuit,” Cheruvus attorney Brant Stogner told HPM.

“We want to make sure our community is aware of this, and we want to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else, any other child, or any child at all.”

Stogner says nearly 100 adults and at least three children were branded at the April ceremony. He said Cheruvu’s son was “extremely confused” and “extremely traumatized” by the incident.

“They knew what they were doing was very wrong because they told me to keep it a secret from everyone else,” the 11-year-old said in a press conference after the lawsuit was filed, according to NBC News. “But I had to tell my dad when the pain got worse and it became infected.”

“It hurt so much I almost cried.”