Tamil Nadu: Tallest Nataraja idol ‘to be made in single cast’ ready

TRICHY: A 23-foot-high dancing Shiva (Nataraja) idol, claimed to be the tallest in the world to be made in single cast, is ready for installation at Sri Lakshmi Narayani golden temple in Vellore. Weighing 15 tonnes, it was made at Swamimalai near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district at a cost of Rs 4 crore.
Varadrajh, the sthapathi (architect) of the idol, said metal idols are usually made by single casting. “But if it is a big one, sthapathis cast each part separately and fix them by welding. This 23-foot dancing Shiva has been created in single casting method, the tallest in the world to be made in this manner. The height of the Nataraja with the arch is 16 feet and the pedestal is 7 feet high,” Varadrajh told TOI.

A total of 20 artisans headed by him were engaged in making the idol since 2010, taking 12 years to complete the Himalayan task, he added. “It takes six years to complete a dancing Nataraja idol. It took two years to find sponsors, and due to the Covid-19 pandemic another two years have gone. With the help of Narayani Peedam, we completed it successfully,” he said.
Elaborate arrangements have been made to perform ‘Thirumeni Arul Vizha’ for the idol on Monday evening before it is shifted to Vellore. Telangana governor and lieutenant governor of Puducherry Dr Tamilsai Soundararajan, trustees of Sri Lakshmi Narayani Peedam and ‘Nakkeeran’ editor Gopal will be participating in the event, he said.
“An 11-foot dancing Shiva idol (statue) made by me was donated by the Indian government to CERN (Nuclear Research Centre) in Geneva, Switzerland. That led to the making of this 23-foot idol,” Varadrajh, added. Given a chance, he wishes to cast the tallest idol of Lord Ram for the Ram temple under construction in UP.