The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the U.S. was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.
The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the U.S., officials said.
Artists perform an Indian cultural dance during the unveiling ceremony of the Swami Vivekananda Monument at Westlake Square, in Seattle, United States. | Photo Credit: PTI
Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday (April 11, 2026) by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.
“From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle’s skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! The City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle,” the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.
Addressing the event, Ms. Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle’s inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its “rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity”, the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.
The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India’s broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the U.S. Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.
Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks, including the Amazon headquarters’ ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.
Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.
Published - April 12, 2026 11:47 am IST