The Char Dham for Lord Hanuman Ji Project was undertaken by Industrialist Nikhil Nanda back in 2008 with the first statue in the series completed in 2010 at Jakhu Mandir, Shimla. Now the 2nd idol has been unveiled through a digital inauguration in Morbi, Gujarat by the Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi.
The inauguration ceremony started at 11:15 am on Saturday, 16th April 2022 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The Chief Guest of the ceremony was the Honorable Prime minister of India Shri. Narendra Modi. Along with the Trustee of HCN Charitable & Educational Society-Shri Nikhil Nanda, Several other dignitaries were also present at the ceremony including Param Pujya Mata Kankeshwari Devi; National General Secretary BJP, Shri Kailash Vijayvargai; Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, MP Kutch, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi ji and MP Rajkot, Shri Kundaria Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai.
Speaking on the unveiling of the Khokhra Hanumanji statue, Honorable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said, “This is truly heartening for Lord Hanuman and Lord Ram Devotees across the country and the world. #Hanumanji4dham isn’t just a project to merely institute hanumanji statues in India’s four corners but is also a part of ‘one India, first India’ mission. Hanumanji unites everyone with his devotion.”
“I thank Maa Kankeshwari Devi ji, HC Nanda Trust and everyone who is a part of this initiative,” he further said. The construction of the Hanuman Ji statue in Morbi Gujarat was started in the year 2018. The statue was built at the cost of $1.3 million.
Watch the live unveiling of the 108ft #Hanumanji statue at Khokhra dham, Gujarat by Honorable PM Shri @narendramodi Ji at 11 am.#Hanumanji4Dham has been a dream initiative since 2008 and Blessed to have Honorable PM unveil on pious hanuman diwas.
— Nikhil Nanda 🇮🇳 (@iamnikhilnanda) April 16, 2022
Feeling humbled & blessed!🙏 pic.twitter.com/i5vqNOHZ6Y
The statue is 2nd in the series after Jakhoo Hill in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh constructed by Shree Harish Chander Nanda Education and Charitable Trust. Jakhu Hill Hanuman Statue in the north, which got unveiled in 2010 in Shimla, is considered the tallest statue in the world at its elevation of 8100 ft. Year-round, millions of Hanuman Ji devotees visit the place for the darshan of Jhaku Hanuman, and in many ways, it has become a Modern Dham – a place of pilgrimage dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
On this ambitious project, Industrialist Nikhil Nanda, Trustee, HC Nanda Trust, said, ”It’s a blessing that we have been able to complete this project within time. It’s an auspicious occasion for all the citizens of India. Past years have been a little tough for all of us but great momentum is waiting ahead. I am sure this project will add glory to India’s culture & tourism in upcoming years.”
Same as Jakhu, it is expected that the Morbi idol would witness footfall in thousands of devotees every month and within no time would become a famous spot for pilgrimage. It is also expected that the gigantic statue would bring a lot of prosperity to the Morbi district and attract several lakhs of people from all around the world once the ‘4 Dhams of Lord Hanuman’ are constructed across four corners of India.
Recently, the foundation stone of the 3rd Hanuman Ji idol has also been laid in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in a ceremony on 23rd February 2022 in Olaikuda, Rameswaram. The ceremony took place in the presence of Dattatreya Hosabale, General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), presiding as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries at the ceremony include Anurag Singh Thakur, Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, Shri Anurag Thakur, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India.
