Giant Leap: Viraat Ramayana Mandir’s Second Phase of Construction Underway

Patna: The construction of the Viraat Ramayana Mandir in East Champaran district is progressing rapidly. The first phase, which began on June 20, 2023, saw the completion of 3,200 underground pillars (piles) extending 100 feet deep within just 10 months. The second phase, now underway, will involve construction up to the plinth level, reaching about 26 feet above the current ground level. This phase will include a concrete roof instead of the traditional sand or soil fill. Following this, three 18-foot-high floors will be built, resulting in a structure that is 1,080 feet long, 540 feet wide, and 80 feet high. The temple will house 22 shrines dedicated to various deities from the Ramayana and Lord Krishna. This phase is expected to be completed within one and a half to two years, with an estimated cost of Rs 185 crore.

In the third phase, the construction of 12 shikhars (spires) and the final finishing of the entire temple will be undertaken. The main shikhar will soar to 270 feet. To put the scale of the Viraat Ramayana Mandir in perspective, its length will be three times that of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir at 1,080 feet. Its width will be 540 feet, compared to Ayodhya’s 235 feet, and its height will reach 270 feet against Ayodhya’s 161 feet.

Notably, the Mahavir Mandir Trust has financed the construction of the Viraat Ramayana Mandir from its own resources without launching any fundraising drives. To prevent extortion in the name of temple construction, discussions with banks are ongoing, and a secure system is being developed, expected to be ready by August.

The Mahavir Mandir Trust awarded the construction contract to M/s Suntech Infra Solutions Pvt. Ltd. through an all-India tender process, at a rate lower than the standard Central Public Works Department (CPWD) rate. The agency is committed to maintaining high quality and timely completion. M/s Tata Consultancy Engineers Limited is overseeing the construction, ensuring diligent supervision.

Acharya Kishore Kunal highlighted the significant challenge in the second phase: installing the world’s largest Shivalinga in the arghya. The Shivalinga, made from a single block of black granite, weighs 210 metric tonnes and measures 33 feet in height and circumference. Transporting it from Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, to the construction site, and installing it with a crane, is a monumental task. The road from Chakia to the site will need reinforcement to support the Shivalinga’s weight. Efforts are underway to overcome these obstacles and successfully install the world’s largest Shivalinga.