A life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda has been unveiled in Seattle—the first of its kind in the United States. Presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, the installation symbolises deepening India–US cultural ties while paying tribute to Vivekananda’s enduring legacy.
International Desk: The United States has witnessed the unveiling of its first life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda, installed at Westlake Square. Honouring the eminent Indian philosopher and spiritual leader, the bronze statue is notably the first such installation by a municipal authority in the country. Crafted by Indian sculptor Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and India’s Consul General in Seattle, Prakash Gupta.
In a social media post, the Consulate General of India in Seattle remarked, “From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! … Seattle’s administration has become the first municipal authority to establish a Swami Vivekananda memorial in the city centre.” Speaking at the ceremony, Wilson highlighted that the memorial reflects Seattle’s inclusive ethos and further strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse, metropolitan technology hub of the Pacific Northwest.
The Indian mission in Seattle stated that the ICCR presented the statue in recognition of the city’s “rich multicultural identity and inclusive spirit”. It also noted that the unveiling coincided with ICCR Day and forms part of India’s broader cultural diplomacy efforts to enhance people-to-people connections with the Pacific Northwest region.
Swami Vivekananda first rose to global prominence with his landmark address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, where he introduced Hindu philosophy to an international audience.
