The Christ the Redeemer statue is 98 feet tall, including 92 feet of horizontally spread arms.

The photographer spent three years studying the moon's alignment before taking the shot.

Christ the Redeemer, the giant statue of Jesus Christ atop Mount Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a world-famous tourist destination. Thousands of visitors go to the Brazilian city to see the monument, which was built in 1931. However, a photographer recently captured a breathtaking image of the monument, which has now gone viral. Leonardo Sens' shot, taken after three years of futile tries, purports to show him 'holding' the moon with both hands.

The shot was shared on Instagram by the photographer. It was taken on June 4 as the moon set behind the monument, according to the description.

The long-awaited photograph was taken at Icarai Beach in the Rio de Janeiro municipality of Niteroi, which is seven miles distant from the monument.

Mr Sens told the Brazilian news source G1 that he studied the moon's alignment for three years before getting the ideal photo.

"In the end, everything went well, and I was able to register the long-awaited photo," he explained.

There are further photographs in the Instagram post, which has received over 6.5 lakh likes.

"I have seen several pictures of the moon, but you managed to leave the perfect angle in a memorable way," one Instagram user said.

"I don't even know what to say about these photos... it's incredible, exciting," another person commented.

The monument is 98 feet tall, with 92 feet of horizontally spread arms, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.

The monument is 98 feet tall, with 92 feet of horizontally spread arms, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.