90-foot tall Hanuman statue unveiled in Houston, Texas; US media and netizens go crazy calling it ‘demon god’
A gigantic 90-foot-tall Panchaloha statue of the god Hanuman, known as the Statue of Unity, was unveiled near Houston in Texas and is a major spiritual landmark in the United States. In addition to being one of the tallest statues in the world, this murti is the tallest Hanuman statue outside India, the tallest statue in Texas, and the third tallest in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty in New York (151 feet) and the Pegasus and Dragon statue in Hallandale Beach, Florida (110 feet).
Unveils the Statue of the Union at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, about 35 km from Houston was dedicated during the Prana Prathishta Mahotsavam from August 15 to August 18, 2024. The organizers stated that the statue symbolizes “selflessness, devotion and unity.” They also stressed that the name of the Murti reflects the crucial role of Lord Hanuman in the reunion of Lord Ram and Sita.
The visionary behind this impressive project is His Holiness Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, a Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned Vedic scholar. According to a statement released by the organizers and carried by PTI, he envisioned this statue as a spiritual epicenter for North America..
The celebrations began on August 15, 2024, coinciding with India’s Independence Day, and culminated on August 18, 2024 with the grand Pran Prathistha ceremony. Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji and a large group of Vedic priests and scholars led the rituals, which were a profound representation of Devotion and spirituality.
During the ceremony, the statue was showered with flowers from a helicopter, holy water was sprinkled and a 22-meter-long garland was placed around the neck of God Hanuman while thousands of devotees chanted the names of Shri Ram and Hanuman in unison.
This is how US media reported on the event
There were reports of protests by church groups outside the venue.
A group of local churches entered the temple grounds in Texas on Sunday to “protest” the recently erected Hanuman statue.
About 15 to 20 demonstrators uttered demonic curses, prayed for the downfall of the “infidels”, proselytized on the temple grounds and harassed temple visitors… pic.twitter.com/F8TtdrwNNL
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) 27 August 2024
The was apparently supported and encouraged by the media in the country which reported extremely disrespectfully.
Here are some screenshots of news reports from media houses in the United States – they called it either demonic, demon god, or a half-ape, half-human statue.
Boxden
USA – a supposedly secular but rather intolerant country
The movements for the separation of church and state in the United States shaped modern secularism, with the United States being the first nation in history to establish an explicitly secular government. The United States is considered a secular country in the truest sense of the word However the Christian population there, while preaching tolerance, practicing intolerance and disrespecting other faiths.
Here are some reactions from American Internet users who appear to be Christian fundamentalists.
This is a Hindu statue they just built in Texas.
I reject this demonic scum in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
pic.twitter.com/dXG1jrYPND– Morgan Ariel (@itsmorganariel) 20 August 2024
In Texas, there is a 27-meter-high statue of the Hindu monkey god Hanuman. What is the United States anymore? A nation without culture, now that the enrichers are at the forefront of the census. pic.twitter.com/UvbU7ammXo
– The Just Republic (@JuanValder72733) 20 August 2024
A website with “right-wing, humorous news” called Not the bee published an article about the statue and warned against provocations “the wrath of the one true God by erecting huge demonic idols everywhere.”
In addition, some conservative X users made racist remarks and drew comparisons between the statue and George Floyd, a black man who was a victim of police brutality. They wrote: “Giant 90-foot-tall George Floyd statue unveiled in Houston, Texas. The giant dark chocolate-covered statue, officially named the ‘Saint Floyd of Fentanyl,’ was unveiled by BLM and the Harris Walz campaign. It is now the third-tallest statue in the United States.”
Giant 90-foot-tall George Floyd statue unveiled in Houston, Texas.
The giant dark chocolate-covered statue, officially named “Saint Floyd of Fentanyl,” was unveiled by BLM and the Harris Walz campaign.
It is now the third largest statue in the United States.
pic.twitter.com/Uq9w5lEOHp—𝓓𝖗. 𝓥𝖔𝐱 𝓞𝖈𝖚𝖑𝖎, 𝐌𝐃 👁️🗨️ (@Vox_Oculi) 20 August 2024
A netizen shared an article from the Indian Express and wrote: “Monkeypox and now the monkey god – perfect timing considering the times we live in.”
Monkeypox and now the Monkey God – Perfect timing considering the times we live in. https://t.co/ZSxXolszZU
90-foot-tall bronze statue of God Hanuman becomes new landmark in Texas. This impressive statue, called the “Statue of the Union,” is now the third tallest in the…— Dr. Diode (@DiodeDr) 26 August 2024
Another internet user found the timing eerie. She wrote, “Does anyone else find the timing of the unveiling in Texas of the statue of the Hindu god Hanuman, who happens to be half monkey and half human, odd? The happened just days after the WHO declared “monkeypox” a global health emergency. Coincidence“
Does anyone else find the timing of the unveiling of the statue of the Hindu god Hanuman in Texas, who happens to be half monkey and half human, odd?
This happened just days after the WHO declared “monkeypox” a global health emergency.
Talk about a coincidence pic.twitter.com/JZ9yn7D0Jq
— Vision4theBlind (@Vision4theBlind) 21 August 2024
Can Hindus do the opposite?
Imagine a scenario where Hindus protest against the opening of a church here in our country. Imagine headlines describing Jesus as a bearded corpse on a cross. This would create an uproar worldwide and given the power of the church, such things would not even make the news. There are over 28,000 churches in India and many more chapels. In India, churches are built on public land and this Hanuman statue was built on private land.
Do you know how many churches there are officially in India? 28,278.
Plus thousands of chapels.
After the Indian government, the Catholic Church is the largest landowner in India.
Conversions through violence or fraud are punished.
The Islamists will be taken care of.
Educate yourself about Bharat. Can’t hurt. https://t.co/TtY3UDJ4FB— Abhijit Majumder (@abhijitmajumder) 17 December 2023
Just the sight of a Hindu deity drives her crazyThe Hanuman Chalisa rightly says, “Bhoot Pishach Nikat Nahi Aave, Mahabeer Jab Naam Sunave.”“. We hope that Lord Hanuman protect the Hindus in the USA from outside forces.
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