World's Tallest Shiva Lingam Installed at Bihar's Viraat Ramayan Temple
Patna witnessed a historic religious event on Saturday. The world's tallest monolithic Shiva Lingam found its home at the upcoming Viraat Ramayan Temple in East Champaran. This magnificent structure stands an impressive 33 feet tall and weighs a staggering 210 metric tons.
Ceremony Attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar personally attended the installation ceremony. He arrived at the site as part of his ongoing Samriddhi Yatra in East Champaran district. Both his deputies, Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, accompanied him during this visit.
The Chief Minister took time to review the temple construction progress. He inspected the entire site thoroughly. According to an official press statement from the Chief Minister's Office, Kumar issued necessary instructions regarding the temple project.
Devotional Atmosphere with Traditional Rituals
The installation ceremony created a deeply spiritual atmosphere. Priests chanted ancient Vedic mantras throughout the event. A helicopter flew overhead, showering the site with fragrant flower petals. This aerial display added to the devotional mood of the occasion.
Organizers arranged holy water from several sacred rivers for the rituals. They offered this water to the newly installed Shiva Lingam during the ceremony. A large crowd of local villagers gathered to witness this significant religious moment.
Remarkable Features of the Shiva Lingam
This Shiva Lingam represents an extraordinary feat of craftsmanship. Workers carved it from a single massive piece of black granite. The sculpture features an intricate design with 1,008 smaller Sahasralingams adorning its surface.
The creation of this massive sculpture required nearly ten years of dedicated work. Temple officials confirmed this remarkable timeline. The journey to bring the Lingam to Bihar was equally impressive.
Long Journey from Tamil Nadu to Bihar
The Shiva Lingam traveled an incredible distance to reach its final destination. It began its journey in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. A specially designed truck carried the massive structure across 2,565 kilometers.
This transportation process took 45 days to complete. The Lingam arrived at the temple site during the first week of January. Now it stands permanently installed at what will become one of the world's largest temple complexes.
Temple Construction Details and Timeline
Mahavir Temple Trust secretary Saayan Kunal provided important details about the project. He stated that temple construction should finish by 2030. The trust is overseeing the entire development process.
The temple complex will cover an extensive area when completed. It will measure approximately 1,080 feet in length and 540 feet in width. The design includes multiple impressive structures within the complex.
Architectural Grandeur of the Planned Complex
The Viraat Ramayan Temple will feature remarkable architectural elements. The complex will include 22 individual temples within its grounds. Eighteen majestic spires will rise toward the sky at varying heights.
The main spire will reach 270 feet into the air. Four additional spires will stand 180 feet tall. One spire will measure 135 feet, while eight others will reach 108 feet. A final spire will complete the collection at 90 feet in height.
Historical Context and Future Significance
The foundation stone for this temple was laid on June 20, 2023. The late Acharya Kishore Kunal, former chairman of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council, performed this ceremony. He was a respected religious figure in the state.
Saayan Kunal, who also serves as a member of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council, participated in the installation rituals. His wife Sambhavi Choudhary joined him. She represents Samastipur as an MP for the LJP (RV) party.
Kunal expressed great pride in the project. He stated that when completed, the Viraat Ramayan Temple will become the world's largest temple complex. This achievement will bring significant honor to the entire state of Bihar.
