Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday unveiled the grand 108 ft-high statue of Adi Shankaracharya, the eighth century philosopher who is credited with restoring glory of ‘Sanatan Dharma’, on the picturesque hillock of Mandhata in Omkareshwar under Khandwa district in Madhya Pradesh.
Religious fervour marked the occasion with around 300 noted Vedic scholars of the country performing ‘21 Kund (containers) Yagna’ amid chanting of shlokas and blowing of conches.
Around 5,000 seers drawn from across the country took part in the grand event.
Draped in saffron clothes and drowned in devotion, Mr Chouhan performed elaborate religious rituals associated with the consecration of the statue of the Hindu saint amid chanting of shlokas and hymns by the priests.
He later did ‘Parikrama’ (ceremonial circumambulation) of the hillock, considered sacred by Hindus for having the famous Omkareshwar shrine, along with the saints.
“The statue of Adi Guru Shankaracharya will convey a message of peace and unity to the world”, he said.
He recounted the contribution made by the saint to the causes of Sanatan Dharma, saying that “Adi Guru Shankaracharya Maharaj worked to connect the country culturally. He worked to spread the essence of Vedas to the common people. He also made four monasteries in four corners of the country. This helped unite India culturally. Because of that, India is united today”, he said.
Born in Kerala, Adi Shankaracharya had gained wisdom in Omkareshwar. He walked over 1600 kms through forests to reach Omkareshwar, situated on the bank of Narmada.
He propagated Advait Vedanta philosophy of 'Oneness'.
The occasion was also marked by cultural dances rooted in Sanatan culture infusing a spiritual essence to the event.
The idea of building the statue of Adi Shankaracharya was conceptualised by the chief minister in 2017.
Mr Chouhan also laid the foundation stone for Rs 2,200 crore ‘Advait Lok’ in Omkareshwar.
The site is close to the ancient Omkareshwar shrine, housing one of Lord Shiva’s 12 Jyotirlingas.
