Thiruvalluvar Statue

Thiruvalluvar Statue

This statue of the great Tamil poet, Thiruvalluvar is built exactly of that of the statue of Liberty in America. The stone statue is 133 feet high representing the 38 chapters in the first part of the Kural (Virtue) and the 95 ft statue represents the total chapters in the second and third parts of the Kural, Wealth and Love.  Thus the statue symbolizes the themes of wealth love based on virtue.

The pedestal is surrounded by an artistic mandapam known as alankara mandapam.  Surrounding this mandapam stand statues of ten elephants.  To help the visitors to worship the holy feet of the saint 140 steps are constructed inside the mandapam.  The foundation stone for the statue was laid in 1979.  Five hundred sculptors were engaged for this work under the able guidance of Dr. Ganapathi Sthapathi and the work was completed in 1999.  The state was inaugurated on 1st January 2000 by Dr.Mu. Karunanidhi,  the then chief minister of Tamil nadu.


Greatness of Thirukkural :

Thirukkural is a precious gem among the classics, unique in the deliverance of code of conduct to the mankind to follow for all time to come. It enshrines in it 1330 couplets under 133 chapters, each chapter comprising 10 verses. The chapters again fall under three major divisions. Virtue, Wealth and Love. This treatise encompasses the whole gamut of human life and by Thiruvalluvar, its illustrious author illuminates every bit of it! This classical work written in Tamil, has been translated in over 60 languages of the world.

The Government of Tamil nadu had a vision (for beyond) the Horizon. Yes to rise a statue for Thiruvalluvar in Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the mainland at the confluence of the three seas befitting the stature of this Saint-poet. The statue that was dedicated at the dawn of the new millennium, stands out as a beacon of light to guide human life for ever.

Measures adopted for the statue of Thiruvalluvar :


The statue with 95' and the pedestial supporting it with 38ft, the structure is thus a standing mammoth commanding a total height of 133 feet. An artistic peripheral wall around the statue, thereby forms a captivating mandap.

The measures what they stands for? :

The pedestal represents the 38 chapters on 'Virtue' and the 95' statue standing on the pedestal represents 'Wealth' and 'Pleasure' signifying that Wealth and Love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of Virtue solid.

The rocks for the sculpture came from :

Sirudhamoor, Pattumalaikuppam Hills and Ambhasamudram Hills.

Statistical details of the statue
Height of the statue	95 feet
Height of the pedestial	38 feet
Statue along with the pedestial	133 feet
Height of the face	10 feet
Height of the body part	30 feet
Height of the thigh part	30 feet
Height of the leg part	20 feet
Fore arm	10 feet
Length of the manuscript	10 feet
Width of the shoulder	30 feet
Length of the hairdo	5 feet
Peripheral wall including the statue & mandap	60 * 50 feet
10 Elephants, each as tall as 5' 6 inches
Weight of the pedestial, statue and the wall	7000 tones
Sculptures and other worksmen	500
Cheif Scultptor : Thiru V.Ganapathi sthapathi

Thiru V.Ganapathi sthapathi