A 52-ft statue of Hindu deity Lord Hanuman was unveiled on the Essequibo River island of Leguan on November 6.
Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally speaking at the launching at the Rama Krishna Blenheim/Leguan Mandir said that the goal of bringing people together has its challenges but that the APNU+AFC administration is committed to ensuring the good life for all of the citizens of Guyana.
“I encourage you to love and respect each other, care for each other [and] work together in unity and dispel any attempt to divide you and you will be at ease and comfort with your inner self.
Do not let politics destroy you progress in life. Let us build ourselves, our community and our country and surely we will be proud of ourselves,” she said, according to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency.
She added “The murti contains the living presence of the deity.
It is more than a physical representation or a meditational tool… When an image like this is prepared according to spiritual prescriptions and is ritually infused by a spiritual authority, according to your beliefs, it becomes especially worthy of and conducive to worship,” she said.
Pandit Sunil Sharma said that he was extremely grateful for the contributions made by the community and members of the Mandir towards the building of the murti, the statement said.
The 52 foot murti of Lord Hanuman now reportedly stands as the tallest in Guyana.
Pandit Sharma said that the structure, which cost over $5 million, took approximately two years to be completed.
Speaking on development works occurring on the island, Ally also highlighted the recent road construction that was undertaken as well as rehabilitation works to the sea defences, schools and drainage canals.
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