A towering 155-foot statue of the Hindu deity Murugan is under construction in Moncure, Chatham County, North Carolina — a project that, once complete, will feature the world’s tallest representation of the god, according to CBN News. The statue is believed to be taller than the Statue of Liberty without the pedestal. The construction is stirring controversy as some find it questionable that “too-large” American flags are not permitted, but other symbols are allowed.
At the heart of the Carolina Murugan Temple Campus, the statue will stand on a 130-acre property that combines spiritual and residential spaces. During the first phase of development, builders plan to complete the main temple, three gopurams (traditional temple towers), and an encircling access road. Estimates place the cost of this stage between $3 million and $5 million. When finished, the monument will surpass even the Statue of Liberty’s height of 151 feet (not including its pedestal).
The overall project is expected to cost around $10 million, with current fundraising goals set at $1.9 million to finish phase one. While Hindus represent a small religious demographic in the U.S., North Carolina has become a growing hub. Cary, a nearby suburb of Raleigh, already features the 87-foot Tower of Unity and Prosperity, inaugurated in 2022. The state has also become a pilgrimage site for Hindu visitors seeking major temples.
As plans move forward, the project has drawn both attention and controversy nationwide. Texas Senate candidate Alexander Duncan — whose state unveiled a 90-foot statue of the Hindu god Hanuman in 2024 — criticized the new monument, suggesting it contradicts the spirit of the First Amendment. Others on social media echoed his concerns, arguing that such religious symbols should not dominate American public spaces.
Some Christian leaders have also voiced theological objections, viewing the statue as a sign of moral and spiritual decline in the U.S.. According to CBN News, they reference biblical passages warning against idol worship, including Psalm 95:5 and 1 Corinthians 10:20, which associate pagan gods with demonic forces.
Among those sharing this view is Mayuri Sharma, an ex-Hindu and former member of the Brahmin priestly caste. In an interview with CBN News, Sharma recounted her conversion to Christianity following what she described as a series of supernatural experiences. After receiving a Bible from a friend and praying for divine revelation, she said she encountered visions that revealed “the darkness behind Hinduism.” Sharma eventually renounced her former faith, removed her family’s idols, and embraced Christianity fully.
The Carolina Murugan Temple Campus continues to move forward despite the controversy. Supporters hail it as a cultural and spiritual milestone that celebrates faith and community, while critics see it as a flashpoint in America’s ongoing debate over religion, identity, and public expression.