Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Ram at the historic Shree Samsthan Gokarn Jeevottam Mutt in South Goa. The Prime Minister also visited the temple inside the mutt complex, located in Partagali village of Canacona.
The newly unveiled structure is now considered the tallest statue of Lord Ram in the world. It has been created by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, the artist behind Gujarat’s Statue of Unity.
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Historic Mutt With Centuries of Legacy
The Shree Samsthan Gokarn Jeevottam Mutt is one of India's oldest monastic institutions and holds a major place in the Saraswat community. Known for its spiritual, cultural and social work, the mutt has been an important centre of learning and religious activity for more than five centuries.
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The mutt premises in Goa were established 370 years ago in Partagali village, and the institution is currently celebrating 550 years of its tradition. As part of the celebrations, various programmes are being held from November 27 to December 7. Every day, between 7,000 and 10,000 devotees are expected to visit the premises.
Modi: “India Is Experiencing a Cultural Renaissance”
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said that when society stands together, the nation moves forward in a big way.
He described the current period as a time of “cultural renaissance” in India. He referred to several major projects that highlight the country’s renewed commitment to its spiritual heritage—such as the restoration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the redevelopment of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi, and the expansion of Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain.
“These works reflect our growing awareness and renewed pride in our ancient traditions,” he said, as reported by PTI.
PM Modi Praised Goa’s Cultural Strength
The Prime Minister praised Goa for preserving its cultural essence despite facing several challenges over centuries. He said that there were times when Goa’s temples, traditions and even its language were under pressure, but the community chose to hold on to its identity instead of giving up.
“This is Goa’s unique characteristic,” he said. “Its culture has maintained its original form through every change and has continued to shine with time.”
Modi also highlighted the long legacy of the Partagali mutt, noting that it survived more than 500 years of upheavals and still remains a guiding force for the community.
“Eras changed, challenges came, but the mutt never lost its direction,” he said.
Modi’s Visit to Karnataka Before Arriving in Goa
Before reaching Goa, the Prime Minister visited Udupi in Karnataka, where he took part in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana, a mass recitation of the Bhagavad Gita.