{{Short description|Statue in Sugar Land, Texas}} {{italic title}} {{distinguish|Statue of Unity}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox monument |monument_name = ''Statue of Union'' |native_name = |image = File:Statue_of_Union.jpg |caption = Statue of Union |location = Sugar Land, Texas, United States |designer = |type = Statue |material = Panchaloha |length = |width = |height = {{convert|90|ft|m}} |begin = |complete = |open = {{start date and age|2024|08|18}} |dedicated_to = Hindu God Hanuman |map_image = |map_caption = |map_width = |coordinates = {{coord|29.6700|N|95.6182|W}} |extra = |website = {{URL|https://statueofunion.org/}} }} '''''Statue of Union''''' is a 90-foot (27 m) statue of the Hindu God Hanuman, that is located at Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Houston (with a postal address in Sugar Land, Texas, United States).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-21 |title=90-ft Hanuman Statue of Union unveiled in Texas, 3rd tallest in US |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/90-ft-hanuman-statue-of-union-unveiled-in-texas-3rd-tallest-in-us/articleshow/112663661.cms |access-date=2024-08-21 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> It is the fourth-tallest statue in the United States after the ''Birth of the New World,'' the Statue of Liberty and the ''Pegasus and Dragon''. The statue is named ''Statue of Union'' because Lord Hanuman reunited Rama with Sita in the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-20 |title=90-Foot Hanuman Statue Unveiled in Houston, Third Largest in U.S. The statue has a posture of Hanuman blessing with both hands, called Abhaya Hanuman. |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/americas/90-foot-hanuman-statue-unveiled-in-houston-third-largest-in-us-1817659 |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref> The statue symbolises “selflessness, devotion, and unity.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Press Trust Of India |url=https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/90-foot-tall-hanuman-murti-becomes-new-landmark-in-texas/1757424 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=www.ptinews.com}}</ref>
== Construction == The ''Statue of Union'' was envisioned by an Indian spiritual leader Chinna Jeeyar Swami, who also envisioned the Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Sheetal |title=90-ft Lord Hanuman's 'Statue Of Union': Third Tallest in the US |url=https://news24online.com/world/lord-hanumans-90-foot-statue-third-tallest-in-the-us/319404/ |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=News24 |language=en}}</ref> He called the statue a spiritual epicenter for North America.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-22 |title=90-Foot-Tall Bronze Hanuman 'Statue Of Union' Unveiled In Texas |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/90-foot-tall-bronze-hanuman-murti-statue-of-union-unveiled-in-texas-article-112708277 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref> The statue was designed by Chinna Jeeyar Swami in India. The parts were manufactured in China and then shipped to the United States and assembled at the temple. Sreenarasimhaiah, the temple's vice president, said that people of "all sorts of faiths" worked on the project locally.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weber |first1=Natalie |title=Sugar Land-area Hindu temple now home to third largest statue in the U.S. |url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/religion/2024/08/26/497628/sugar-land-area-hindu-temple-now-home-to-third-largest-statue-in-the-u-s/ |website=Houston Public Media |publisher=University of Houston |access-date=21 September 2025}}</ref>
The statue is cast in bronze. It is 90 feet tall and weights 90 tons. It depicts Lord Hanuman in the upright position with both his palms facing forward. Its detailed craftsmanship includes his main weapon Gada with patterns around it. The base of the statue features detailed design of an elephant and flowers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grand 90-Foot-Tall Lord Hanuman Statue Unveiled In Houston; Check Pics |url=https://odishatv.in/webstories/national/grand-90-foot-tall-lord-hanuman-statue-unveiled-in-houston-check-pics-242054 |access-date=2024-08-22 |website=Odisha TV |language=en}}</ref>
The unveiling of the statue took place after a 3-day ceremony that happened between August 15 and 18, 2024.<ref name=":0" /> It started on August 15, overlapping with India's Independence Day celebrations. The prana pratishtha took place at precisely 9:09 AM on August 18, 2024.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Historic Inauguration of the Statue of Union: A Grand Celebration in Sugar Land {{!}} Indo American News |url=https://www.indoamerican-news.com/historic-inauguration-of-the-statue-of-union-a-grand-celebration-in-sugar-land/ |access-date=2024-09-04}}</ref> The ceremony featured flower showering from a helicopter, a sacred water sprinkling, and a 72-feet-long garland draped around Lord Hanuman’s neck.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-08-22 |title=Texas gets tallest Hanuman statue outside India. What you need to know |url=https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/texas-gets-tallest-hanuman-statue-outside-india-what-you-need-to-know-13807215.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> The event was also accompanied by patriotic songs and the national anthems of India and the US, including "Vande Mataram," "Jana Gana Mana," and "The Star-Spangled Banner."<ref name=":1" />
== Reception == The American Hindu community celebrated the installation of the statue.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Sugar Land-area Hindu temple now home to third largest statue in the U.S. – Houston Public Media | url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/religion/2024/08/26/497628/sugar-land-area-hindu-temple-now-home-to-third-largest-statue-in-the-u-s/ | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=www.houstonpublicmedia.org}}</ref> However, soon after the inauguration, the statue drew protests from some Christian conservatives, who gathered outside the temple, prayed against it, and described it as a "demon god" or idolatrous.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/29/opinion/indian-americans-trump.html?smid=nytcore-android-share | title=It’s One of America’s Most Successful Experiments, and It’s Coming to an End | website=www.nytimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Why are Americans calling Texas Hanuman statue a 'demon'? | url=https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/angry-americans-texas-hanuman-statue-demon/2815896/ | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=theprint.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Huge Half-Monkey Half-Human Statue in Texas Sparks Conservative Backlash - Newsweek | url=https://www.newsweek.com/huge-hindu-statue-texas-sparks-conservative-backlash-1942732 | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=www.newsweek.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-church-group-protests-against-90-foot-lord-hanuman-statue-in-us-calls-it-demon-god-753601|title=Watch | Church group protests against 90-foot Lord Hanuman statue in US, calls it 'demon god'|date=August 27, 2024|website=WION|accessdate=August 28, 2024}}</ref> Some online voices mocked the statue's simian appearance or called for legal challenges similar to those against Christian symbols elsewhere.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Why Maga can't keep calm about Hanuman statue in Texas - Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/why-maga-cant-keep-calm-about-hanuman-statue-in-texas/articleshow/120321557.cms | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref>
In September 2025, a Texas Republican leader Alexander Duncan called it "a false statue of a false Hindu God" claiming the United States is a "Christian nation" and must not allow such a construction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/republican-leader-alexander-duncan-slammed-over-false-hindu-god-remark-on-hanuman-statue-in-texas-statue-of-union-101758603003402.html|title='False god': Republican leader's remark on Hanuman statue sparks row in US|date=September 23, 2025|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-09-24 |title='Why are we allowed a false statue...': Republican leader Alexander Duncan under fire for comment on 90-ft Texas Hanuman statue, HAF reports to GOP |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/why-are-we-allowed-a-false-statue-republican-leader-alexander-duncan-under-fire-for-comment-on-90-ft-texas-hanuman-statue-haf-reports-to-gop/articleshow/124056589.cms |access-date=2025-11-16 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Duncan followed up by quoting Bible verses against idolatry (e.g., Exodus 20:3-4). This sparked widespread outrage, with groups like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) calling it "anti-Hindu hate," inflammatory, and a violation of religious freedom/1st Amendment principles.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web | title='Why are we allowed a false statue...': Republican leader Alexander Duncan under fire for comment on 90-ft Texas Hanuman statue, HAF reports to GOP - The Times of India | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/why-are-we-allowed-a-false-statue-republican-leader-alexander-duncan-under-fire-for-comment-on-90-ft-texas-hanuman-statue-haf-reports-to-gop/articleshow/124056589.cms | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}}</ref> They urged the Texas GOP to discipline him.<ref name="auto"/> Duncan later defended his comments as "merely asking a question" from a Christian perspective, not anti-Hindu. Critics tied it to rising anti-Indian/anti-Hindu sentiment amid debates over H-1B visas, immigration, and cultural changes in Texas (e.g., large Indian populations in areas like Sugar Land, Frisco, and Irving).<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/hindu-american-population-will-hit-a-million-votes-will-shift-texas-politiciannbspwarned-over-no-temple-remarknbsp-nbsp/4104296/ | title=‘Hindu-American population will hit a million, votes will shift’: Texas politician warned over ‘No Temple’ remark | date=2026-01-12 | website=www.financialexpress.com}}</ref> Eventually, Duncan's Senate campaign faltered and he failed to advance in the primary race by late 2025, with some observers speculating that his remarks may have hurt his campaign.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Texas Senate candidate, Alexander Duncan, who attacked Hanuman statue fails to make primary ballot - India Today | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/texas-senate-alexander-duncan-fails-primary-hindu-statue-controversy-glbs-2834171-2025-12-11 | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=www.indiatoday.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Who is Alexander Duncan, Texas Republican under fire for ‘false Hindu God’ comment on Hanuman statue? {{!}} Today News | url=https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/who-is-alexander-duncan-texas-republican-under-fire-for-false-hindu-god-comment-on-hanuman-statue-11758613727753.html | access-date=2026-01-21 | website=www.livemint.com}}</ref>
== See also == *List of tallest statues *List of the tallest statues in the United States
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * [https://www.statueofunion.org/ Official website]
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Category:Hanuman Category:Colossal statues in the United States Category:Concrete sculptures in Texas Category:Monuments and memorials in Texas Category:2024 sculptures Category:Religious buildings and structures in Houston Category:Tourist attractions in Texas Category:Outdoor sculptures in Texas Category:2024 establishments in Texas Category:Statues in Texas Category:Hinduism in Texas Category:Hinduism-related controversies Category:Christianity and Hinduism Category:Sculpture controversies Category:Sculptures of gods Category:Bronze sculptures in Texas Category:Religious controversies in art Category:Religious controversies in the United States Category:Sugar Land, Texas Category:Sculptures of monkeys Category:Sculptures of elephants Category:Hindu gods in art Category:Idolatry