Gopalganj, Bihar: A 33-foot-tall, 210-tonne Shiva Lingam, destined for the under-construction Virat Ramayan Temple in East Champaran district, reached Gopalganj district on Monday, drawing a massive crowd of devotees eager to offer prayers to the towering symbol of Lord Shiva.

The enormous stone Lingam, meticulously crafted in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, had traveled nearly 2,500 kilometers over a period of 45 days, passing through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Bihar, Sayan Kunal, a member of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council, said. To facilitate the journey, the Lingam was transported on a specially designed 96-wheeled truck, ensuring its stability and safety along the long route.

Upon its arrival, Bihar Minister Ashok Choudhary and Sayan Kunal offered prayers at the site. Devotees thronged the roadsides at various points where the vehicle slowed down or made brief halts, forming long queues to witness the sacred spectacle and seek blessings.

Speaking to the media, Minister Choudhary said, “This is not merely a stone structure, but a symbol of great spiritual resolve. Late Kishore Kunal ji had envisioned the creation of this Shiva Lingam, whose worship would bestow spiritual merit equivalent to offering prayers at 1,008 Shiva Lingams. Today, that vision is becoming a reality.”

He added that the Mahavir Mandir Trust team is closely monitoring every aspect of the project, ensuring that the construction and eventual installation of the Shiva Lingam are carried out with complete purity, grandeur, and adherence to Sanatan traditions.

The foundation stone of the Virat Ramayan Temple, located at Kaithwalia, was laid on June 20, 2023, by the late Kishore Kunal, former chairman of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council (BSRTC). The temple project has been designed as a grand spiritual complex that reflects India’s rich religious and architectural heritage.

According to Sayan Kunal, the Shiva Lingam is expected to reach the temple site between January 10 and 12, with the formal installation scheduled for January 17, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Krishna Chaturdashi.

Once completed, the Virat Ramayan Temple will stand at a height of 270 feet and will feature 18 towers and 22 temples dedicated to various deities, creating one of the most monumental religious complexes in the state. The temple’s design aims to integrate devotion, culture, and architectural excellence, making it a center of pilgrimage and spiritual learning for devotees across India.

The arrival of the massive Shiva Lingam in Gopalganj has not only rekindled religious fervor in the region but also highlighted the logistical and engineering marvel involved in transporting such a colossal structure across the country. Devotees and locals expressed their excitement at being part of a historic moment that symbolizes faith, dedication, and spiritual heritage.

As the construction continues, officials have reiterated that every effort is being made to maintain the sanctity of the site, and the project is expected to be completed by 2030. With its completion, the Virat Ramayan Temple is poised to become a landmark of devotion and culture in Bihar, drawing visitors and worshippers from across the country and beyond.