West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for a new Mahakal temple in Siliguri on January 16. This marks a significant step in the construction of a larger temple complex, an initiative first announced by the Chief Minister herself.
Announcement and Project Approval
The plan for a bigger Mahakal temple was unveiled by Banerjee on October 16, following her visit to flood-affected areas in the Hills earlier in October. During that visit, she offered prayers at the existing Mahakal temple in Darjeeling.
The project received formal approval from the state cabinet, chaired by Banerjee, in November of last year. The approved plan includes not just the temple but also an accompanying cultural complex. A substantial 25 acres of land has been earmarked for the temple complex, with an additional three acres allocated for the cultural centre at Matigara.
Progress and Preparatory Work
According to Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb, preliminary work for the temple has already commenced. The West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco) is supervising these initial stages.
Deb noted that work near the Uttarayan township has progressed rapidly since the CM's announcement. A detailed site inspection was conducted recently by a team of senior officials, including the chairman of the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA), the deputy mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the Darjeeling District Magistrate, and the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Officer.
"The inspection focused on reviewing the progress of the preliminary work and coordinating efforts among departments to expedite the construction process," Deb stated, confirming the January 16 date for the foundation stone ceremony. He added that a meeting with various stakeholders would be held at the state guest house in Siliguri to discuss the project's future roadmap.
Political Reactions and Tourism Vision
The project has not been without political controversy. Former Siliguri mayor and CPI(M) leader Ashok Bhattacharya criticized the move, labeling it as "temple politics." He alleged that there was little difference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on this front, claiming both are engaging in such politics with state patronage.
Mayor Gautam Deb swiftly countered the criticism. "His comments have no substance," Deb responded. He highlighted the success of other state-led temple projects, like the Jagannath temple in Digha, which attracts millions of devotees.
Deb framed the Mahakal temple as a key driver for tourism in the Siliguri region. "Earlier, tourists did not stay in Siliguri and would move on to other destinations. Now, with attractions like Bengal Safari and the Iskcon temple, tourists are spending more time here. With the Mahakal temple coming up, the inflow of tourists will increase further," he argued, positioning the project as part of a broader strategy to enhance the region's appeal.
A Series of Temple Projects
The Mahakal temple near Matigara is the third major religious infrastructure project undertaken by the West Bengal government in recent times. This follows the inauguration of Digha's Jagannath temple by the Chief Minister on April 30 last year and the laying of the foundation stone for Durga Angan in Rajarhat on December 29.
