Berhampur artist makes 13ft high Ashok Pillar replica, claims it as India’s second tallest

Raj Kumar Behera, an artist in Odisha’s Berhampur has erected a replica of Ashok Stambha at the Army Air Defence College at Golabandha, on the outskirts of the city.

The Pillar, the National emblem, is reportedly 13 feet high and 6.1 feet wide and came at a cost of Rs 3 lakh.

The one at the Parliament has a height of 21 feet. Behera claimed this one at Berhampur to be the second highest in the Country.

Speaking about the structure, Behera said, “It was ordered by the Army College at Golabandha and I was supposed to build a 10 feet high pillar, but the budget allowed me to make it 13 feet instead.”

The pillar is reportedly slated to be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu in January 2023.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on July 11 unveiled the national emblem cast on the roof of the new Parliament building in New Delhi. The emblem is an adaption of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

The emblem at the Parliament building is made of bronze. It weighs around 9,500 kilograms and is 6.5 metres high. A supporting steel structure weighing around 6,500 kilograms has also been constructed to support the emblem.

The emblem is part of the government's Central Vista project.