Religious statues and monuments: Buddha, Christ, Hindu deities

This 38-meter (125-foot) statue stands at the summit of Corcovado Mountain in Rio de Janeiro and ranks among the most recognized Christian monuments worldwide. Inaugurated in 1931, the Christ figure weighs 1,145 tons (1,040 metric tons) and consists of reinforced concrete covered with soapstone tiles. From the platform at 710 meters (2,330 feet) above sea level, visitors overlook the city, Guanabara Bay and the surrounding mountains. The Christ the Redeemer was designed by French sculptor Paul Landowski and has been counted among the New Seven Wonders of the World since 2007.

This copper statue stands 93 meters (305 feet) tall on a stone base in New York Harbor since its inauguration in 1886. The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the United States and depicts a robed female figure holding a torch aloft. While this monument represents civic ideals of freedom and democracy rather than a religious figure, it appears in this collection of monumental statues alongside religious structures from various spiritual traditions around the world.

The Great Sphinx of Giza is a monumental limestone structure built during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre around 2500 BCE. This statue features a recumbent lion body with a human head, measuring 240 feet (73 meters) in length and 66 feet (20 meters) in height. While this collection documents religious monuments from various spiritual traditions, the Sphinx represents an ancient Egyptian symbol of royal power that has guarded the Giza pyramids for millennia and continues to draw visitors from around the world.

The Ushiku Daibutsu stands in Ushiku city, Ibaraki Prefecture, and was completed in 1993 as one of the tallest freestanding Buddha statues in the world. This bronze structure reaches 394 feet (120 meters) in height and depicts Amida Buddha, a central figure in Japanese Buddhism. The statue stands within landscaped grounds that include ponds and gardens visitors can walk through. An elevator takes visitors up to an observation deck inside the chest area. The monument was commissioned by the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist sect and represents one of the major religious sculptures in East Asia.

This statue stands 45 meters (148 feet) high on Santa Bárbara hill above Oruro and represents the Virgen del Socavón, a religious figure of particular importance to miners in the region. The concrete and metal construction was completed in the early 2010s and serves as a pilgrimage site and viewpoint. Inside, several floors are accessible by stairs and an elevator. The virgin is depicted in traditional dress, with outstretched arms and a cloak decorated with local motifs. The statue is part of the religious tradition of Oruro, a city known for its carnival and the veneration of the Virgen del Socavón.

This bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni on Lantau Island was completed in 1993 and serves as a major center of Buddhist faith in Hong Kong. The figure reaches 111 feet (34 meters) in height and consists of 202 individual bronze plates with a combined weight of 250 tons. The Buddha sits in meditative posture on a lotus throne, facing north toward mainland China. Visitors reach the platform via 268 steps and can survey the surrounding mountains and the South China Sea from the base.

This statue of the Hindu god Murugan was built using 1,550 cubic meters (54,700 cubic feet) of concrete and 250 tons of steel, reaching a height of 42.7 meters (140 feet). The entire structure was covered with approximately 300 liters (79 gallons) of gold paint. The statue stands at the entrance to the Batu Caves and ranks among the tallest depictions of a Hindu deity worldwide. Completed in 2006, the monument marks the entrance to the annual Thaipusam festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors. The statue depicts Murugan holding his characteristic spear and represents the god of war and protection in Tamil Hindu tradition.

This statue in Henan depicts the Buddha Vairocana and ranks among the tallest religious monuments in the world. The total height reaches 502 feet (153 meters), including a 82-foot (25-meter) lotus throne and a 66-foot (20-meter) pedestal. The copper-clad construction was completed in 2008 after five years of work and cost 55 million euros. The Spring Temple Buddha stands as an example of monumental Buddhist architecture in China and attracts pilgrims and visitors interested in large-scale religious structures. The complex includes additional temple buildings and staircases leading to the base of the statue.

This gold and ivory statue stood approximately 43 feet (13 meters) tall and was created by sculptor Phidias in the 5th century BCE for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia. The statue depicted the Greek god Zeus seated on his throne and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Archaeological evidence and historical records confirm the existence of this monumental work, which was later destroyed. The statue represents one of the major religious monuments of antiquity and demonstrates the craftsmanship and spiritual beliefs of ancient Greek culture.

The Shiva of Murudeshwara rises 37 meters (121 feet) above the Arabian Sea, positioned atop a 20-story gopuram completed in 2006. This monumental representation of the Hindu deity ranks among the tallest religious statues worldwide and marks the Murudeshwara temple complex. The statue depicts Shiva in seated meditation posture facing the sea, constructed from concrete and copper coated with paint to preserve traditional iconographic representation.

This 123-foot (37-meter) statue depicts the Hindu god Shiva and forms part of the Murudeshwara temple complex on the Arabian Sea. The statue in Karnataka ranks among the tallest representations of Shiva worldwide and adds to this collection of religious monuments from different faith traditions. The concrete and copper construction was completed in 2002 and dominates the coastal landscape. Pilgrims and visitors can view the monument, which stands on a hill beside the main temple and remains visible from considerable distances.

This 320-foot (98-meter) bronze statue on the Moskva River was unveiled in 1997 and depicts Peter the Great at the helm of a ship. Designed by Zurab Tsereteli, the monument stands on a man-made island and ranks among the tallest statues worldwide. The towering sculpture commemorates the tsar's founding of the Russian Navy in the early 18th century, though it has drawn criticism from many Muscovites for its scale and design. This controversial addition to the collection of religious monuments demonstrates how monumental figures are also used to represent historical and political personalities.

This statue depicts the standing Buddha Shakyamuni and rises 129 meters above a 13-meter base in Monywa. The structure was completed in 2008 and ranks among the tallest Buddhist statues in the world. The concrete and steel construction sits on Po Kaung Hill north of the city. Inside the statue, multiple floors ascend through the body to the head, where visitors can access views over the surrounding plains. At the feet of the Laykyun Sekkya stands another reclining Buddha statue of considerable length.

This 85-meter statue stands atop Mamayev Kurgan and was completed in 1967 as the centerpiece of a memorial complex commemorating the Battle of Stalingrad. The sculpture depicts a woman striding forward with a raised sword and ranks among the tallest freestanding statues in the world. The monument forms part of a larger memorial site that includes a soldiers' cemetery, memorial walls and several sculptural groups. The statue weighs an estimated 8,000 tons and consists of prestressed concrete with an internal steel framework. Rodina-Mat' Zovyot! represents one of the notable secular monuments in this collection of large scale religious and cultural sculptures from various countries and traditions.

The Guan Yin statue in Hainan is a bronze figure constructed from 140 tons of gold and copper, located within the grounds of Nanshan Temple on the southern coast of the island. This 108-meter (354-foot) Buddhist statue represents the Bodhisattva of Compassion and was designed with three different orientations, each facing the sea. Construction was completed in 2005, and the monument stands within a temple complex that serves as an important center of Chinese Buddhism. This statue belongs to a worldwide collection of religious monuments representing various spiritual traditions through large scale stone and metal constructions.

These monumental stone figures on Easter Island were created between 1250 and 1500 by the Rapa Nui people and stand as significant examples of Polynesian stone carving. The Moai range in height from 2 to 20 meters (6.5 to 65 feet) and were carved from volcanic tuff. While not part of the major religious traditions of Asia or Europe, these figures represent the spiritual beliefs of the Rapa Nui people and fit within this collection of monuments from various faith systems.

This 46-meter (151-foot) long and 15-meter (49-foot) high statue at Wat Pho depicts Buddha at the moment of death and ranks among Thailand's most significant religious monuments. The figure was completed during the reign of Rama III in the early 19th century and is covered entirely in gold leaf. The soles of the feet feature 108 mother-of-pearl inlays representing Buddhist symbols and cosmology. Wat Pho itself serves as a royal temple and is recognized as a center for traditional Thai massage. The reclining position represents Buddha's entry into Parinirvana, the final state after death.

The Samantabhadra Statue stands on Mount Emei in Sichuan, showing the Bodhisattva of universal virtue seated atop a white elephant. At 160 feet (48 meters) in height, this bronze monument ranks among the largest Buddhist statues in China. The ten-headed representation of Samantabhadra embodies core teachings of Mahayana Buddhism and draws pilgrims and visitors traveling through one of the country's four sacred Buddhist mountains.

The Leshan Giant Buddha stands at the confluence of three rivers in Sichuan, reaching a height of 233 feet (71 meters). This Buddha statue, carved into the rock face during the Tang Dynasty between 713 and 803 CE, depicts Maitreya, the future Buddha, in seated position. The site was initiated by a monk who hoped that by creating this figure, the treacherous currents would be calmed and river navigation made safer. The statue features a sophisticated drainage system that channels rainwater away from the surface, protecting the stone structure from erosion. Visitors can explore the Buddha through a stairway system that descends from his head to his feet.

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue depicts the Hindu god Vishnu mounted on the mythical bird Garuda and ranks among the tallest religious monuments in the world. This copper and brass construction reaches 121 meters (397 feet) in height and stands on a hilltop in southern Bali. The monument took more than two decades to complete, finishing in 2018. The statue shows Vishnu wearing a crown and traditional attributes while Garuda serves as his mount with spread wings. The surrounding complex includes multiple viewing platforms and offers views across the island.

This 88-meter white concrete sculpture in Ashibetsu represents the Buddhist goddess of mercy and stands among the tallest religious monuments in Japan. Visitors can explore the interior of the Dai Kannon of Kita no Miyako park, which houses religious artifacts, and access several observation decks that provide views across the surrounding region. The statue was completed in 1989 and depicts Kannon in traditional pose holding a lotus flower.

This concrete statue in Sendai stands 100 meters (328 feet) tall and contains eight floors with 108 Buddhist statues inside. An elevator leads to observation areas where visitors can view the city and surrounding landscape. The Sendai Daikannon was built in 1991 and ranks among the tallest statues in Japan. It represents the bodhisattva Kannon, a figure of compassion in Buddhist tradition, and forms part of this collection of religious monuments that represent various spiritual traditions through stone and metal constructions.

This 96-foot (29-meter) statue stands on a hill in the Montemaria complex and represents one of the largest Marian figures worldwide. Completed in 2012, the structure contains multiple floors with chapels, museum spaces and viewing galleries that allow visitors to ascend through the interior of the statue. The Tower of Peace belongs to a collection of religious monuments from different spiritual traditions represented through stone and metal constructions. The upper levels provide views across Batangas province and the surrounding landscape.

This 30-meter statue depicts Hanuman, the Hindu monkey deity, carrying a mountain. Constructed from red zinc and copper, the sculpture represents one of the religious monuments in this collection documenting spiritual traditions across cultures. A temple sits at the base of the statue, where devotees come to offer prayers to the deity. The monumental portrayal shows Hanuman in his legendary role as the devoted servant of Rama, who according to Hindu tradition carried a medicinal mountain to save lives. The construction employs traditional materials symbolizing the strength and devotion attributed to the deity.

This monolithic stone statue stands 17 meters (56 feet) tall and represents Bahubali, a significant figure in Jain religion who achieved spiritual liberation through meditation. The Gomateshwara Statue was carved from a single granite block in the 10th century and sits atop a hill overlooking Shravanabelagola. The statue depicts Bahubali in an upright meditative posture, with vines curling around his legs to symbolize his years of motionless meditation. Every 12 years, thousands of pilgrims gather for the Mahamastakabhisheka ceremony, during which devotees anoint the statue with milk, saffron and other sacred substances. This monument ranks among the oldest and tallest freestanding statues in India.

This 118-foot (36-meter) copper and bronze statue stands on Samdruptse hill and depicts Guru Rinpoche, the 8th century Buddhist master who introduced Buddhism to Tibet. The monument forms part of a collection of religious structures from various traditions that represent spiritual figures through stone and metal construction. The Padmasambhava statue rises above Namchi and serves as a pilgrimage site for Buddhist devotees from the region and beyond.