Visiting the Statue of Equality (Hyderabad, Telangana)

Inaugurated in 2022, the Statue of Equality, is a 216 ft (66 metres) statue dedicated to the 11th-century Indian philosopher and saint Ramanujacharya. Located on the premises of JIVA (Jeeyar Integrated Vedic Academy/the Chinna Jeeyar Trust) at Muchintal, in the outskirts of Hyderabad, the statue is (at the time of writing this article) the second tallest sitting statue in the world.

The statue symbolises the principles of equality, inclusivity and social justice that were key to Ramanujacharya's teachings and stands tall as an ode to his enduring legacy and teachings.

The statue honours Ramanujacharya on his 1000th birth anniversary. He worked to bring people together and treat everyone equally. The statue is a symbol of fairness, kindness, and unity. It reminds people to respect and include everyone in society.

The Statue of Equality is 216 feet tall. It is one of the tallest statues in India. The statue has many detailed designs that show the teachings of Ramanujacharya.

The area around the statue looks like a traditional South Indian temple. It mixes old temple designs with modern styles. There is also a center for learning and cultural activities. People can visit to learn more about Ramanujacharya and his ideas.

There are 108 Divya Desams (Divya is Divine while Desam is Abode or Temple) within the main temple premises that represent the 108 Lord Vishnu / Goddess Lakshmi temples that are mentioned in the works of the Alvars (Tamil saints). 

Out of the 108 temples, 105 are in India (in various states), one is in Nepal and the last two are believed to be outside the earthly realms. My mother who has visited majority of the 108 temples was very pleased to see the representation of all the 108 temples at one place. The statues were beautifully carved and decorated we couldn't stop admiring the effort, the art and the devotion that went into all of this.

Photos and cameras are not allowed inside the main temple premises. You have to leave these behind in the visitor locker area. So, I cannot share any photos of the temples and statues within the main premises. However, you can use your camera/phones for photography outside the main premises and that is what I have shared here.

Tips for visiting the Statue of Equality

The Statue of Equality is located in Muchintal, a small village in Ranga Reddy district in Telangana. It is near Shamshabad Airport in the outskirts of the capital city of Hyderabad. It is easily reachable by road from Hyderabad (by car/taxi services) and the journey from the city centre should take you around 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic and where your starting point is.

When we visited, the opening hours were Thursday to Tuesday (11:00 am – 08:00 pm). Wednesdays are closed. However, it is advisable to check the official website or contact them using the details below to confirm the visit times.

Statue Of Equality | Palamakul-Golkonda road, Muchintal, Venkannaguda, Telangana 509325
Phone: 7901422022, +91 7330754646
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.statueofequality.org

Tickets: You can buy your entry tickets online at www.samaroham.divyasaketham.org or purchase them at the venue at one of the many walk-in ticket counters. Please note that there might be long queues for tickets and you will have to wait for your turn. If you can, booking online is recommended.

In terms of time at the venue, I would recommend a good 4-5 hours to explore everything at a relaxed pace. The time spent will ofcourse depend on your interest as well. I visited with my elderly mother and we walked at a slow pace as she took in each of the 108 temples, we spent time admiring the massive Ramanuja statue, listened to some devotional songs, visited the canteen and all this took us around 5 hours. If you are visiting with the elderly, factor in additional time to see everything at a pace suitable to them.

As with any temple, it is advisable to dress modestly and respectfully during your visit.


To sum it up, I would say that a visit to the Statue of Equality offers not only a glimpse into the life and teachings of Ramanujacharya but is also a wonderful chance to appreciate our cultural and religious heritage.