Derby: Gurdwara leader says new statue 'beautifies' site

Ranjit Singh Seehra (right) said feedback had been "predominantly positive"

The general secretary of a gurdwara in Derby has said he was pleased with the positive reaction to a new 3m (9.8ft) tall statue outside the building.

The statue depicts Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, a Sikh leader who lived in Punjab, India, between 1723 and 1803, riding a horse into battle.

It was unveiled outside Ramgarhia Gurdwara in Pear Tree on 6 May.

Ranjit Singh Seehra, from the gurdwara, said: "It has beautified the site - extended it.

"The congregation are chuffed to bits with seeing this - as well as passers-by who are perhaps not of Sikh faith."

The statue is 3m (9.8ft) and 4m (13.1ft) wide

Mr Seehra says it has taken "many years" to get the statue in place after they first came up with the idea.

He said it was originally geared up for the 300th birthday of the Sikh leader, who was born in 1723.

After getting planning permission, they fundraised for the statue which cost £125,000, and construction then took two and a half years.

It was made in Punjab, India, transported to the UK on a ship and unveiled outside the gurdwara on 6 May.

He said: "It is quite impressive, quite large and fitting for the location it is in."

Inscriptions in Punjabi and English face out onto the road

Mr Seehra said the statue looked weathered from the sea salt so they washed it and dabbed it with mustard oil at 19:00 BST on the Sunday before the unveiling.

"It came out absolutely brilliant. It went from tired looking to looking very sparkly and elegant," he said.

He added he was "immensely grateful" the statue was now in place.

"It has been a huge community effort. I have had the privilege of leading the team locally but it is an international project.

"All five Gudwaras [in Derby] have pulled together to make it happen."