Goa, India – The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a major cultural moment on Friday, November 28, 2025, as he unveiled a 77-foot bronze statue of Lord Ram at Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math in Goa during celebrations marking the institution’s 550th year. The Goa government noted that the monument is now the tallest statue of Ram in the world.
The ceremony, held at the Math’s historic premises in Partagali, Cancona, drew religious leaders, government officials and large crowds of devotees. Alongside the unveiling, the Prime Minister inaugurated a Ramayana-themed park, released a special postal stamp and commemorative coin, and addressed the gathering on the cultural significance of the occasion.
Earlier that morning, Mr Modi visited Udupi in Karnataka, offering prayers at the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Matha. He participated in the Laksha Kantha Gita Parayana, a mass recitation of the Bhagavad Gita involving nearly 100,000 students, monks and scholars. He also inaugurated the Suvarna Teertha Mantapa and dedicated the Kanaka Kavacha to the Kanakana Kindi, a site tied to the legend of saint Kanakadasa.
Addressing thousands in Goa, the Prime Minister said India is undergoing what he called a cultural reawakening, citing major heritage projects including the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the redevelopment of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Varanasi and the expanded Mahakal Mahalok in Ujjain. He said these projects show a renewed national devotion to spiritual identity.
He reflected on Goa’s past, recalling periods when temples and local traditions came under severe strain. Despite pressures on language and cultural identity, he noted that communities persisted, rebuilt and protected their heritage across generations, shaping the state’s resilient character.
The Prime Minister described the Math as an institution that has endured for centuries, weathering political and social shifts since its founding in the 13th century. Its ability to retain its spiritual role while adapting over time, he said, has allowed it to remain an important guide for communities.
Mr Modi urged the public to commit to nine actions: conserving water, planting trees, practising cleanliness, supporting indigenous products, travelling within India, embracing natural farming, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adopting yoga and sports, and assisting the vulnerable. He said such commitments, paired with national unity, are central to India’s development goals.
Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Shrimad Vidhyadheesh Teerth Swami of the Math were among those present. The statue was crafted by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar, whose work includes the Statue of Unity in Gujarat.
Shree Samsthan Gokarn Jeevottam Math, regarded as one of India’s oldest monastic centres, continues to hold an influential place in the Saraswat community and in the preservation of cultural and spiritual traditions.
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