In a momentous and spiritually uplifting ceremony, Mississauga unveiled the tallest statue of Lord Ram in North America on August 4, 2025, at the Hindu Heritage Centre. Towering at 51 feet, and set atop a 7-foot pedestal with an ornate chhatri (umbrella) to be added, the statue has quickly become a landmark symbol of Sanatan Dharma and cultural pride for the Indo-Canadian community.
Crafted in Delhi from fiberglass and reinforced steel, the statue was engineered to withstand harsh Canadian weather, including winds of up to 200 km/h. The project, a fusion of traditional Indian artistry and modern construction techniques, took four years to complete and was made possible by a generous donation from Indo-Canadian entrepreneur Laj Prasher.
Thousands of attendees, including prominent political leaders, gathered for the unveiling, highlighting the significance of the occasion for both cultural celebration and Canada’s multicultural identity. Dignitaries present included Minister of Women and Gender Equality Rechie Valdez, Treasury Board President Shafqat Ali, Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, and Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer.
Maninder Sidhu energized the crowd with a spirited “Jai Shri Ram,” while Acting Consul General Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, representing India, spoke about the deepening cultural connections between Canada and India. Acharya Surinder Sharma Shastri, the head priest and founder of the Hindu Heritage Centre, called the statue a “spiritual gift” inspired by the 2024 inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
More than just an architectural feat, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of devotion, resilience, and the enduring heritage of Hinduism in the West, inspiring future generations with its majestic presence in the heart of Mississauga.