Massive 51-foot Hindu god idol unveiled in Mississauga

Thousands of Hindus gathered in Mississauga on Sunday for the unveiling of a 51-foot idol of the deity, Lord Ram, now the tallest monument depicting the Hindu god in North America.

Source: X (BradWButt)

Thousands of Hindus gathered in Mississauga on Sunday for the unveiling of a 51-foot idol of the deity, Lord Ram, now the tallest monument depicting the Hindu god in North America.

Erected through private donations on private property, the fibreglass statue was unveiled in a ceremony attended by Liberal ministers Maninder Sidhu and Rechie Valdez.

While the installation has been praised by members of Canada’s Hindu community as a peaceful affirmation of faith and cultural identity, it has sparked debate online about Canada’s cultural makeup.

Lord Ram is a central figure in Hindu scripture.

“The unveiling of the 51-foot Shri Ram Moorti at the Hindu Heritage Centre in Mississauga marks a proud and peaceful celebration of faith, tradition, and community,” said Kushagr Sharma, spokesperson for Hindu Heritage Canada, in a statement to True North.

“Entirely funded through private donations and located on private property, this initiative is a shining example of how values-driven communities can contribute meaningfully to Canadian society without relying on public funds or political institutions.”

An even larger statue of the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman was unveiled in 2023 at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton, Ontario, prompting security concerns.

The towering, 55-foot-tall figure overlooks a suburban neighbourhood.

The Hindu Heritage Centre is one of the largest temples in the Greater Toronto Area.

The Hindu population in Canada stands at nearly 830,000 people.