Bhubaneswar: Bihar has marked a historic spiritual and architectural milestone with the installation of the world’s largest Shivling at the Viraat Ramayan Mandir complex in Kesariya, East Champaran. Standing 33 feet tall and weighing an extraordinary 210 tonnes, the monumental Shivling has been carved from a single, continuous block of black granite, setting a new global record.
The installation drew large numbers of devotees, scholars, and visitors, who gathered to witness what is being described as a defining moment of faith and cultural pride. Temple authorities said the Shivling will be housed in the Shiva temple, which is the first of the 18 temples planned within the sprawling Viraat Ramayan Mandir complex to be completed.
Crafted with exceptional precision, the Shivling measures 33 feet in height with an equal circumference, surpassing the famed Shivling at Thanjavur’s Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu, constructed during the reign of Chola king Raja Raja Chola. Officials involved in the project said the scale of the structure posed immense engineering challenges. “Given its size and weight, even a minute structural weakness could have compromised the strength and stability of the Shivling,” temple officials said.
The monolithic structure undertook a carefully planned journey across India before reaching Bihar, underscoring the logistical and technical complexity involved in transporting and installing such a massive stone idol. According to reports, the Shivling’s completion and placement reflect years of planning, craftsmanship, and devotion.
The Viraat Ramayan Mandir, once fully completed, is expected to emerge as the world’s largest Hindu religious monument and a major global spiritual centre. Located in East Champaran, the temple complex is envisioned as a hub for devotees, historians, architects, scholars, and tourists from across India and abroad.
With the installation of the world’s largest Shivling, Bihar has firmly positioned itself on the global spiritual map, blending faith, heritage, and monumental architecture in a way few places in the world can rival.
-OdishaAge
