Adi Shankaracharya statue unveiled at Omkareshwar

Relevance: GS1 - salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture; GS4 - Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world

(Source: The Indian Express, 09/21/2023)

Click here for Daily Current Affairs

Why in the news?

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated the 108-foot-tall ‘Statue of Oneness’(Ekatmata Ki Pratima) of Adi Shankaracharya at Omkareshwar on September 21.
• The statue depicts Shankaracharya as a 12-year-old child when he is said to have visited Omkareshwar.

More About the Statue and other development projects

• On February 9, 2017, CM of MP announced the construction of a 108-foot-tall Adi Shankaracharya statue, a Shankar museum, and the Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita Vedanta at Omkareshwar.
• Larsen and Toubro Company was given the contract to construct the Statue of Oneness.
• The multi-metal Adi Shankaracharya statue is installed at Mandhata Parvat hill, facing southwards towards the Narmada river.
• This statue stands atop a 54-feet pedestal, supported by a 27-feet lotus petal base which is made of red stone.
• It is made up of bronze that contains 88% copper, 4% zinc and 8% tin and its internal structure is made up of high-quality steel.
• At the base of the statue is the Shankar Stambh, which features wooden domes and stone pillars with “carvings depicting 32 stories related to Acharya Shankar.”
• Vasudeo Kamath, a graduate of the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai, created the conceptual sketch and painting of the statue.

Other Development projects along with the statue:

• The statue will be accompanied by Ekatma Dham, which will include the Advaita Lok museum, built to “showcase the life and philosophy of Acharya Shankar through exhibits reflecting the message of Advaita Vedanta.
• The Acharya Shankar International Institute of Advaita Vedanta is being built to “promote the study and understanding of Advaita Vedanta”.
• The research centres include the Centres for Advaita Philosophy, which will be featured.
• The Maharshi Vedavyasa Advaita Library will also be built.

Why is Mandhata island considered an important religious destination?

• The Mandhata island, nestled on the Narmada River, is home to two of the 12 Jyotirlingas – Omkareshwara (located on the south side of the island) and Amareshwara. The area is close to Mahakaleshwara Jyotirlinga at Ujjain, located 110 km to the northwest.
• The name ‘Omkareshwar’ is derived from the shape of the island, which resembles the sacred syllable ‘Om’, and its name means ‘the Lord of Omkara’.

(*Click this link to read prelims specific weekly current affairs articles)

FAQs

MCQs

Quesion: With reference to Adi Shankaracharya, consider the following statements:

1. He is credited with the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta.
2. The followers of Shankaracharya are called Smratas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both

(d) Neither