Standing majestically in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, the Adiyogi statue is a monumental tribute to Shiva, also known as Shankara, revered as the first yogi. Designed by Jaggi Vasudev, the visionary founder of the Isha Foundation, this awe-inspiring steel sculpture reaches a towering height of 34 meters (112 feet), spans an impressive 45 meters in length (147 feet), and extends 25 meters in width (82 feet). Its monumental proportions have earned it the prestigious recognition of being the “Largest Bust Sculpture” in the world by the Guinness World Records.
Weighing a staggering 500 tonnes (490 long tons; 550 short tons), the Adiyogi statue serves as a profound symbol and a source of inspiration for inner well-being through the practice of yoga. Nestled within the Isha Yoga Centre, this colossal tribute to Shiva signifies not only his role as the first yogi but also the profound spiritual significance of the number 112 in yogic culture. It represents the 112 possibilities to attain moksha (liberation) as well as the 112 chakras within the human system.
At the base of this towering marvel, a sacred linga named Yogeshwar Linga is consecrated, further enhancing the spiritual aura of the site. The Adiyogi statue is not merely a physical sculpture; it is a beacon of spiritual awakening and a reminder of the profound wisdom and practice of yoga that has the potential to lead individuals towards inner transformation and liberation.
