India’s longest laterite sculpture is a testament to the confluence of art, spirituality, and heritage. Located at Loutolim’s Big Foot Museum in Goa, this monumental sculpture of Sant Mirabai, brings together the region’s natural resources and cultural history in a unique form.
India’s Longest Laterite Sculpture
India's Longest Laterite Sculpture of Sant Meerabai inside Goa Ancestral Big Foot Museum. pic.twitter.com/0zT8otgyOX
— श्री (@DipasreeAB) March 6, 2022
Did you know that India’s longest laterite sculpture is located in Goa? Over three crore people have seen India’s longest laterite sculpture, Natural Harmony, a laterite portrait of Saint Mirabai, in Loutolim’s Big Foot Museum, during the past 30 years. Located in the village of Loutolim, the museum was the brainchild of Goan artist Maendra Jocelino Araujo Alvares, who sought to create a space that preserved and showcased Goa’s traditional ways of life.
The sculpture celebrates its 30th anniversary. It is astonishing how passionately, the museum’s owner, Maendra Alvaresin carved the sculpture in just 30 days. It’s 14 meters long and 5 meters wide. Crafted from a single laterite stone, it was quite literally a back-breaking project. He has included natural themes in his artwork. The tambura, with a lotus and a sun, represents the idea that everyone can flourish despite adversity. The sun also represents the elements of nature. Mirabai is celebrated for her unwavering devotion to Lord Krishna, rejecting the conventions of her time to pursue a spiritual life.
Alvares wanted to create something that would not only attract visitors but also inspire them spiritually. The decision to honour Sant Mirabai, whose life epitomized devotion and humility, was a natural choice.
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Goa’s Big Foot Museum
@MyXOLO #ThisOneForEveryone Big Foot Museum Goa #Brown pic.twitter.com/7JnlRjQCqT
— ritu151993 (@Ritu151993) November 15, 2014
Big Foot is an open-air museum that showcases and guides visitors through the historical events and upbringing of the Goan people. It is a location where people may observe the customs, cuisine, folklore, and way of life that the Goans have developed throughout civilisation. Spread across a sprawling area, the museum features life-size exhibits of rural Goan homes, occupations, and rituals, offering visitors an immersive experience of the state’s heritage. As you approach the heart of this amazing small cultural museum, you’ll find the precise spot where the giant foot impression is located. From there, you can make a wish that, according to many, will come true and take it home.
For visitors, it offers not only a visual spectacle but also a space for contemplation and connection with a deeper cultural and spiritual heritage.
Cover image credits: X/Goa Tourism
First Published: September 10, 2024 3:40 PM