A 42-foot bronze statue of Nilkanth Varni, the 18th-century yogi, was unveiled at the BAPS temple in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This statue, the tallest bronze figure in the country, also ranks as the fourth-tallest in Africa, alongside Nigeria’s Moremi Statue of Liberty. Posed in a variation of Vrikshasana (Tree Pose), it stands at the temple entrance as a symbol of discipline, youthful idealism, and inner balance, according to BAPS.
The Nilkanth Varni statue, more than just a religious symbol, embodies values of self-discipline, perseverance, clarity of purpose, and service to society, according to BAPS spokesperson Hemang Desai. Weighing 20 tonnes and crafted from copper and brass, the statue's balance on a single leg is hailed as an engineering marvel.
The handover ceremony, led by Swayamprakash Swami and attended by Deputy Finance Minister Ashor Sarupen, featured a 60-member Indo-African orchestra. The statue honors Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s 12,000 km pilgrimage at age 11, highlighting his dedication to learning, discipline, and service. With the adjacent BAPS vegetarian restaurant Shayona, the Mandir complex is becoming a welcoming community and tourist hub in Johannesburg.
