Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday visited the site of the under-construction Virat Ramayan Temple in Motihari, East Champaran district, where a massive 33-foot-tall Shiva Lingam was installed amid religious ceremonies and the presence of hundreds of devotees. The visit formed part of the Chief Minister’s ongoing Samridhi Yatra, during which he has been touring districts across the state to review development works and engage with local communities.

Accompanied by Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with senior officials and local representatives, Kumar inspected the temple site and reviewed the progress of construction. He interacted with those associated with the project and enquired about timelines, structural aspects, and logistical arrangements related to the installation of the giant Shiva Lingam.

A landmark religious installation

The centrepiece of Saturday’s event was the installation of the 33-foot-tall Shiva Lingam, which has already drawn national attention for its sheer scale and craftsmanship. The Lingam, weighing approximately 210 metric tonnes, has been carved from a single rock and is believed to be among the largest of its kind in the world.

Crafted in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu—renowned for its ancient stone sculptures and temple architecture—the Lingam was transported to Bihar on a specially engineered 96-wheeled trailer. According to those involved in the project, the journey took 45 days, with the convoy passing through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh before finally reaching Kalyanpur in East Champaran.

The arrival and installation of the massive structure attracted a large gathering of devotees, priests, and local residents, many of whom offered prayers as religious rituals were performed at the site.

Religious significance and symbolism

Sayan Kunal, a member of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council (BSRTC), provided details about the religious and symbolic importance of the Shiva Lingam. He said the structure has been carved out of a single rock, a factor that significantly adds to its spiritual and architectural value.

“This Shiva Lingam is made of a single rock structure. This is why it is being considered as the world’s largest Shiva Lingam,” Kunal said.

He further explained that the Lingam contains 1,008 smaller Shiva Lingams intricately embedded within its design. “Worship of this one Shiva Lingam will grant devotees spiritual merit equivalent to worshipping 1,008 Shiva Lingams,” he added, underlining the religious appeal the installation is expected to hold for pilgrims and worshippers from across the country.

Kunal, along with his wife Sambhavi Choudhary—Member of Parliament from Samastipur—participated in a yagna organised during the installation ceremony, adding to the spiritual significance of the occasion.

The Virat Ramayan Temple project

The Virat Ramayan Temple is envisioned as one of the largest and most prominent religious complexes in the region. According to project officials, the main temple structure will rise to a height of 270 feet, making it a major architectural landmark not just for Bihar but for the country.

The sprawling temple complex is planned to include 18 towers and 22 smaller temples dedicated to different deities from the Hindu pantheon. The design aims to reflect the grandeur and narrative depth of the Ramayan, with the complex expected to serve as both a religious centre and a cultural destination.

Sayan Kunal, who is also the son of the late Acharya Kishore Kunal, said that the construction of the Virat Ramayan Temple is expected to be completed by 2030. Acharya Kishore Kunal, a former chairman of the BSRTC, had laid the foundation stone of the project on June 20, 2023.

“The vision behind the Virat Ramayan Temple is not only religious but also cultural. It is meant to reflect the values and teachings of the Ramayan while becoming a centre for spiritual tourism,” Kunal said.

Oversight and management

The entire project is being monitored by the Mahavir Mandir Trust, Patna, which is overseeing construction quality, adherence to timelines, and coordination among various agencies involved in the temple’s development. Officials associated with the trust have stated that special care is being taken to ensure that the construction meets both traditional architectural principles and modern safety standards.

The installation of the Shiva Lingam is being seen as a major milestone in the project, marking visible progress at the site and generating public interest and participation.

Nitish Kumar’s broader tour agenda

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched and reviewed several development projects in West Champaran district as part of his Samridhi Yatra. He also inspected the Women’s Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and a Centre of Excellence, interacting with officials and beneficiaries to assess the functioning of these institutions.

The Chief Minister’s itinerary reflects an effort to balance governance and development initiatives with participation in cultural and religious events that hold significance for large sections of the population.

Cultural and regional impact

The Virat Ramayan Temple, once completed, is expected to emerge as a major pilgrimage and tourism destination in north Bihar. Local residents and religious leaders believe the project will boost economic activity in the region by creating employment opportunities and attracting visitors from across India and abroad.

The installation of the giant Shiva Lingam has already given a glimpse of the scale and ambition of the project, reinforcing Motihari’s growing prominence on the religious map of the country.

As construction progresses, the temple complex is expected to become a focal point for spiritual gatherings, festivals, and cultural events, blending faith, architecture, and regional identity. With a projected completion timeline of 2030, the Virat Ramayan Temple is poised to remain a significant work-in-progress for years to come, shaping both the spiritual landscape and developmental narrative of East Champaran.