World Largest Shivling Reaches Bihar: A 2,500 km Journey of Faith

New Delhi, january 07, 2026: In a historic moment for the state, the world’s largest monolithic Shivling has officially arrived at its destination in the Viraat Ramayan Mandir complex in East Champaran. After a monumental 45-day journey covering over 2,500 kilometers from Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, the massive structure is now being prepared for its grand installation on January 17, 2026.

A Marvel of Craftsmanship and Engineering

Carved from a single block of high-quality black “diamond granite,” this spiritual masterpiece is the result of nearly 10 years of tireless work by skilled artisans in Tamil Nadu. The sheer scale of the Shivling is breathtaking:

• Weight: 210 metric tonnes
• Height: 33 feet
• Circumference: 33 feet
• Special Feature: It is a Sahasralingam, featuring 1,008 miniature Shivlings intricately carved onto its surface.

The journey itself was an engineering feat. The Shivling was transported on a specially designed 96-wheeled hydraulic trailer. Traveling through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, the convoy moved at a cautious pace, greeted by thousands of devotees at every stop who offered flowers and prayers.

The Viraat Ramayan Mandir: A Global Landmark

The Shivling will be the centerpiece of the Viraat Ramayan Mandir, which is set to become the world’s largest Hindu temple complex upon its completion in 2030.

• Temple Area: 120 acres
• Main Spire Height: 270 feet
• Comparison: The complex is designed to be larger than the famous Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

The project was the dream of the late Acharya Kishore Kunal, former secretary of the Mahavir Mandir Trust, and is now being overseen by his son, Sayan Kunal.

Grand Installation Ceremony: January 17

The date for the installation, January 17, has been chosen for its high spiritual significance, falling on Magh Krishna Chaturdashi—a day considered as auspicious as Shivratri.

Key Highlights of the Ceremony:

1. Helicopter Abhishekam: In a spectacular display of devotion, holy water will be showered onto the Shivling from a helicopter.
2. Sacred Waters: The ritual bathing (Jal Abhishek) will use water collected from five holy sites: Haridwar, Prayagraj, Gangotri, Kailash Mansarovar, and Sonpur.
3. Vedic Rituals: A team of renowned scholars, led by Pandit Bhavanath Jha, will conduct a grand Yagna and Peeth Puja starting at 8:30 AM.
4. Ashtakamal Yantra: The installation will follow strict scriptural guidelines, placing eight forms of Shiva in eight directions surrounding the central Sahasralingam.

The local administration and the Mahavir Mandir Trust have made extensive arrangements for crowd management, as lakhs of devotees are expected to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event. Once installed, this Shivling is expected to turn East Champaran into a major global destination for religious tourism.