Tamil Nadu to build Asia’s tallest Lord Murugan statue in Erode, minister PK Sekarbabu confirms

Tamil Nadu is set to become home to Asia’s tallest statue of Lord Murugan, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), PK Sekarbabu announced on Sunday (July 13) that a 186 feet tall structure will be erected at the Thindal Murugan Temple near Erode.

The announcement was made during a site inspection at the Velayuthasamy temple in Thindal, located approximately 7 km from Erode, where Sekarbabu was joined by State Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy.

“This will be the tallest Murugan statue in Asia,” Sekarbabu was quoted as saying by PTI. He added that the full-scale statue, made of cement and estimated to cost ₹30 crore, was already approved in the recent Tamil Nadu budget. Construction has officially commenced, he confirmed.

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The minister cited the DMK government’s efforts to revitalise temple infrastructure across the state. “Under the DMK government’s four-year tenure, Kumbabishekams (consecration ceremonies) were conducted at 3,225 temples, including 124 Murugan temples,” he said. He revealed that 46 more temples would undergo Kumbabishekam on Monday.

Highlighting the government’s financial support, Sekarbabu stated that ₹1,120 crore has been allocated in grants to the HR&CE Department. He acknowledged public support, noting, “So far, we have received ₹1,400 crore in donations from devotees across Tamil Nadu.”

Meanwhile, minister Muthusamy shared additional development plans for the area, announcing the construction of two kalyana mandapams (marriage halls) at the Thindal Velayuthasamy temple. He added that the consecration work would soon begin at the Sivan temple in Thindal.

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The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P Selvaraj, MP KE Prakash, MLA V C Chandhirakumar, Erode Mayor Nagarathinam, HR&CE Commissioner P N Sridhar, and other senior officials.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin launched an initiative to restore 63 ancient temples across the state, each believed to be constructed over 1,000 years ago. The restoration works, estimated at ₹100 crore, will enhance the structural integrity of these historic temples while preserving their original architecture, the government said.