Bihar is set to witness a monumental spiritual event as a colossal Shiva Lingam, hailed as the world's tallest, has successfully completed an epic over 3,000-kilometer journey from Tamil Nadu. The massive religious icon will be installed at the upcoming Virat Ramayana Temple in East Champaran, marking a significant milestone for the ambitious project.
The Grand Journey of a Divine Monolith
The 33-foot-long, 210-tonne Shiva Lingam embarked on its historic voyage from Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu on November 21. Crafted from a single block of black granite sourced from nearby hills, the Lingam's creation itself was a three-year endeavor. A team of skilled local artists meticulously chiselled the stone and carved 1,008 smaller Shiva Lingams onto its surface.
Transporting this behemoth was a logistical marvel. A specially arranged 96-wheel truck from a leading logistics company carried the sacred cargo. The convoy maintained a painstakingly slow pace, covering no more than 60 kilometers per day to prevent any damage. A pilot vehicle scouted the route a day in advance, coordinating with district administrations across multiple states to ensure a smooth passage.
The Lingam's journey through Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh drew massive crowds of devotees. The public response was overwhelming, with people thronging to offer prayers. In Nagpur, the procession had to halt for an entire day to accommodate the faithful arriving from surrounding villages.
Installation and the Vision of the Virat Ramayana Temple
The Lingam will be formally installed on January 17, 2026, in a grand ceremony at the temple site in Kaithwalia, East Champaran. The event is expected to draw the state's top political leadership, including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and BJP national working president Nitin Nabin, alongside numerous saints and seers.
Once installed, the Lingam will stand 51 feet tall from the ground. It will be the centerpiece of the Virat Ramayana Temple, a sprawling 125-acre, Rs 500-crore project conceptualized by the late Kishore Kunal, former head of the Bihar State Religious Trust Council. The temple complex plans to feature a 270-foot-tall main structure, 18 towers, and 22 temples dedicated to various deities.
A Project Built on Devotion and Donation
The temple's development is a story of collective faith and contribution. The land for the project was donated by East Champaran resident Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan, a petroleum transporter, who gave 71 decimals of his property. This was supplemented by donations from numerous Hindu families, showcasing a cross-community support for the initiative.
Saayan, son of the late Kishore Kunal, along with minister Ashok Choudhary, welcomed the Lingam as it entered Bihar at Gopalganj. Saayan highlighted the devotion witnessed during the journey, stating that the "pran pratishtha" (consecration ceremony) will befit the public sentiment. Although the full temple is slated for completion only by 2030, the January 17 installation is expected to draw a huge gathering, setting the stage for one of Bihar's most significant religious landmarks.
