Kailashnath Mahadev Statue
{{Short description|Shiva statue in Nepal}}
{{Infobox monument
|monument_name = Kailashnath Mahadev Statue
|native_name = कैलाशनाथ महादेव
|image = Statue of lord shiva, Sanga.jpg
|caption =
|location = Sanga, Chitapol/ Suryabinayak Municipality Bhaktapur District, Nepal
|builder = Kamal Jain, CEO of Hilltake Group of Companies
|type = Statue
|material = Steel bars, concrete, zinc and copper
|length =
|width =
|height = {{convert|143|ft}}
|begin = 2003
|complete = 2010
|open = 21 June 2011 during Teej Festival
|dedicated_to = Lord Shiva (भगवान शिवजी)
|map_image= Nepal
| map_caption = Location in Nepal
|coordinates = {{coord|27.6461|85.4743|display=inline,title}}
}}
{{Hinduism}}
Kailashnath Mahadev Statue ({{langx|ne|कैलाशनाथ महादेव}}) is the tallest Shiva statue in the world.{{Cite web| author= |date=2010-06-12 |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/nepal-president-to-inaugurate-world-s-tallest-shiva-statue_633492.html |title=Nepal President to inaugurate 'world's tallest' Shiva statue |publisher=Zee News Website |access-date=February 27, 2012}}{{cite web | date=2010-06-13 | url=http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/06/13/top-story/worlds-tallest-shiva-statute-ready/316265 | title=World's 'tallest' Shiva statue ready | publisher=Ekantipur Website | access-date=February 21, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513124657/http://www.ekantipur.com/2010/06/13/top-story/worlds-tallest-shiva-statute-ready/316265/ | archive-date=May 13, 2012 | url-status=dead }} It is currently the fifth tallest Hindu deity statue. It is situated in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur District in Nepal, about 20 km from Kathmandu.
The statue is 143 feet (43.5m) in height and was made using copper, zinc, concrete, and steel.
Design and construction
Designed to resemble images of the Hindu god, Shiva, and seen as a marvel of Nepalese engineering, the statue's construction began in 2003 and was completed in 2011.{{Cite web |title=Kailashnath Mahadev Statue |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kailashnath-mahadev |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Atlas Obscura |language=en}} It was constructed mainly by Kamal Jain and "Hilltake", a company established in Nepal in 1992 which deals with products such as water tanks. Nepalese engineers were involved in the design and construction of large structures.{{Cite web |title=Kailashnath Mahadev Statue in the city Suryabinayak |url=https://in.worldorgs.com/catalog/suryabinayak/performing-arts-theater/kailashnath-mahadev-statue |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=in.worldorgs.com}}
The statue's foundation is about 100 feet deep, which was necessary to anchor the structure into the ridge. Due to the threat of potential landslides, structures were also built for ground stabilization.
Tourism
About 5,000 visitors come to the statue on a weekday, and a significantly larger number visit on weekends, national holidays, and Hindu festivals.
Due to the number of visitors the statue has contributed to religious tourism in Nepal, both locally and internationally, raised the economic activity of the local community, and has made an impact on the development of nearby villages.
References
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{{Nepal topics}}
Category:Shiva temples in Nepal
Category:Hindu temples in Kathmandu District
Category:Tourist attractions in Nepal