PATNA: Construction work on the Virat Ramayana Mandir will commence on June 20 this year, said Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal on Tuesday. The National Green Tribunal has okayed the project.
“Decks have been cleared to build the world’s largest religious monument, which will be three-storeyed spread over 3.76 lakh square feet area housing the largest and tallest Shivalinga. The main temple will come up on a plot of 120 acre at Bahuara-Kathwali village (Janki Nagar) on Kesariya-Chakia road in East Champaran district,” Kunal said.
“The 33-foot-high Shivalinga of black granite, being constructed at Mahabalipuram weighing 210 tonne, will be established in the temple in the holy month of Shrawan in 2025. The temple construction work will be also completed by the end of 2025. Along with the Shivalinga, Sahastralingam is also being prepared. The last Sahastralingam was constructed in the 8th century. We have requested the chief minister and state road construction minister to help in widening of the roads from Chakiya to Kaithalwia (10km) to transport the huge Shivalinga. However, it will take two more years to finish the 12 spires of the temple,” Kunal added.
Suntech Infra has been assigned the temple construction work. Its officials, Shravan Kumar Jha and Bhaskar Majumdar, said there will be 3102 pillars and 1050 tonnes of steel and 15,000 cubic metre concrete will be used in the piling. “The construction material cost will be borne by the Mahavir Mandil Temple Trust,” they said.
Secretary, Viraat Ramayan Mandir, Lalan Singh said it almost took 10 years to acquire the land for the temple. No advance payment is being made to the agency. Phase-wise payment will be made, he said. The temple will be 1080 feet long and 540 feet wide. Its grandeur may be gauged from its height of 270 feet. A huge statute of Lord Ganesha will be installed at the entrance of the temple. There will be 22 temples on the premises, with 12 high spires dedicated to different Hindu and Shaivite deities.
The Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti had to wait for almost eight years to announce the commencement date of construction work after the Cambodian government raised objections in 2015 on the pretext of it being a replica of the famous Angkor Wat temple there. The issue has now been resolved, said Kunal.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes, messages, and quotes.