Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attended a major religious and cultural milestone on Saturday as a massive 210-tonne monolithic Shivling was installed at the under-construction Viraat Ramayan Mandir near Kesariya in Bihar. The event, marked by traditional pran pratishtha rituals, drew attention across the state and quickly became a widely discussed topic online.
The Shivling, carved from a single black granite block, is being presented as one of the biggest highlights of the ambitious temple project. It is expected to serve as a spiritual centerpiece in a temple complex planned on a 161-acre area, designed to include 18 shrines and large-scale facilities for devotees.
As visuals and updates from the installation spread on social media, many people praised it as a symbol of India’s spiritual heritage. At the same time, some online reactions also reflected a debate around state priorities, development needs, and how large religious projects fit into public life.
Still, for thousands of devotees and followers of temple architecture, the installation of the 210-tonne Shivling has been viewed as a significant step forward in building what is being described as one of Bihar’s largest future pilgrimage sites.
A Historic Moment at the Under-Construction Viraat Ramayan Mandir
The installation ceremony took place at the upcoming Viraat Ramayan Mandir, a temple project located near Kesariya. The temple is being developed by the Mahavir Mandir Trust, which is best known for managing the famous Mahavir Mandir in Patna.
According to the details in the extract, the Viraat Ramayan Mandir project is expected to cost around ₹500 crore, making it one of the biggest religious construction projects in the region.
The Shivling installation became the highlight of the day as the Chief Minister attended the event in person, signalling the importance of the occasion for both the temple trust and the state’s religious tourism vision.
For local communities, the ceremony was not only a religious event but also a moment of pride, especially with the temple being positioned as a grand cultural attraction for Bihar in the coming years.
The 210-Tonne Shivling: Carved From a Single Granite Block
What makes this Shivling unique is its sheer size and design.
The Shivling is described as a 210-tonne monolithic structure, meaning it is carved from a single stone rather than assembled from multiple pieces. It was reportedly carved from a single black granite block, giving it a strong, timeless appearance that matches traditional temple aesthetics.
Monolithic stone carvings are extremely difficult to create because even a small error can damage the stone. The process requires skilled craftsmen, specialized tools, and careful planning to maintain balance, symmetry, and cultural design principles.
The Shivling is now expected to become a central attraction of the complex, drawing devotees who worship Lord Shiva and visitors who admire large-scale temple craftsmanship.
Shivling Travel Journey: 2,500 Km From Tamil Nadu to Bihar
Another detail that grabbed public attention is the Shivling’s long journey across India.
The Shivling was carved in Tamil Nadu and then transported approximately 2,500 kilometres to Bihar. Moving such a heavy monolithic structure across such a long distance is considered a massive logistical operation.
The transportation required extensive planning, road movement coordination, and careful handling to prevent any damage during travel. For many people, this journey itself became a symbol of how cultural heritage and craftsmanship connect different parts of India.
The Shivling’s arrival in Bihar was seen as a rare moment where South India’s stone-carving expertise directly contributed to a major religious project in eastern India.
Pran Pratishtha Rituals Performed, Deputy CMs Join Ceremony
The installation ceremony included pran pratishtha rituals, the traditional process that marks the spiritual consecration and installation of sacred structures in Hindu worship.
As per the extract, Bihar’s Deputy Chief Ministers also joined the rituals alongside Nitish Kumar. The ritual ceremony added a deeply devotional and traditional tone to the event, attended by priests, temple trust members, and invited guests.
Such rituals are considered extremely important in temple tradition because they formally transform a carved structure into a spiritually worshipped symbol.
The day’s proceedings reportedly included religious chants, offerings, and formal steps that are usually followed during major consecration events.
Viraat Ramayan Mandir Project: 161-Acre Mega Temple Complex With 18 Shrines
The Viraat Ramayan Mandir is being planned as a massive religious complex, with a scale that goes beyond a single temple building.
According to the extract, the complex is planned over 161 acres and will feature:
- 18 shrines
- Large devotional spaces for visitors
- A landmark temple structure intended to become a major religious tourism spot
The project is being promoted as a future spiritual destination that could attract devotees from Bihar and other states. For the temple trust, this project is also seen as a long-term contribution toward religious infrastructure.
Local supporters believe that once the complex is completed, it could boost the area’s economy by increasing:
- Visitor footfall
- Local business opportunities
- Employment during construction and after completion
- Cultural tourism visibility for Bihar
“Three Times Larger Than Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir”: The Allegation Arouses Interest
One of the most discussed points from the extract is that the Viraat Ramayan Mandir is designed to be three times larger than Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
This comparison quickly gained attention because Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is already one of India’s most talked-about religious developments in recent years.
While the statement increased curiosity and excitement among supporters, it also raised questions from some observers regarding practicality, cost, and long-term management of such a large religious structure.
However, temple planners and community supporters see this scale as an effort to build a globally recognized landmark temple for Bihar something that could reshape the state’s religious tourism map.
Completion Timeline: Project Targeted Between 2026 and 2030
The temple project is still under construction, and the expected completion timeline mentioned in the extract is between 2026 and 2030.
This suggests that the project is being developed in phases, with key milestones such as major shrine structures and installations happening step by step.
The installation of the 210-tonne Shivling is being seen as one of those important milestones both technically and spiritually.
By placing the Shivling now, organizers have signaled that the temple complex is moving ahead steadily, even if the final completion is still a few years away.
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Social Media Reacts: Praise, Pride, and Some Concerns
As soon as visuals and news from the installation surfaced online, reactions began pouring in.
Many people praised the event and described it as:
- A proud moment for Bihar
- A milestone for Hindu spiritual heritage
- A symbol of devotion and cultural revival
- A major step toward building a grand pilgrimage center
At the same time, the extract also mentions that there were some concerns online related to state priorities. Discussions reportedly included broader debates around whether government leadership should focus more on infrastructure, jobs, and education alongside such religious developments.
This mix of praise and debate is common for large public projects, especially when they involve religion, large budgets, and political attention.
Still, the overall event remained peaceful and devotional, with the main focus being the Shivling installation and rituals.
Why This Installation Matters for Bihar’s Religious Tourism
Bihar has long been known for important spiritual sites across different faiths, including Buddhist tourism destinations. With projects like the Viraat Ramayan Mandir, the state could also expand its visibility in major Hindu pilgrimage travel.
If completed as planned, the temple complex near Kesariya could become:
- A major devotional destination for Shiva and Ram devotees
- A cultural attraction for visitors interested in large temple architecture
- A new economic hub for nearby towns and businesses
Supporters believe this will help Bihar strengthen its spiritual identity while creating opportunities through tourism and local development.
A Giant Shivling Becomes the New Symbol of an Upcoming Mega Temple
The installation of the 210-tonne monolithic Shivling at the under-construction Viraat Ramayan Mandir near Kesariya has become a major headline moment in Bihar.
With Chief Minister Nitish Kumar attending the ceremony and traditional pran pratishtha rituals being performed, the event marked a milestone in a temple project estimated at ₹500 crore.
Carved from a single black granite block in Tamil Nadu and transported nearly 2,500 km to Bihar, the Shivling is now positioned as the centerpiece of a vast 161-acre complex planned with 18 shrines and a completion target between 2026 and 2030.
While the event received widespread appreciation and pride online, it also sparked conversations on public priorities showing that large cultural projects often come with both celebration and debate.
For now, the massive Shivling stands as a powerful symbol of devotion, craftsmanship, and the rising ambition behind Bihar’s newest mega spiritual destination.
