Gopalganj/Patna: The world’s largest Shiva Lingam, transported over thousands of kilometres from southern India, entered Bihar on Saturday, turning highways into corridors of devotion as crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the colossal sculpture.
The 210-metric-ton granite Lingam, crafted in Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, crossed into Bihar via Gopalganj, where it was welcomed with chants of “Har Har Mahadev”. Devotees lined the route, offering flowers and sandalwood paste, while district officials and police personnel also paid their respects amid tight security arrangements.
Because of its immense weight, the Lingam is being transported on a specially engineered 96-wheeled trailer. Officials involved in the logistics said the onward journey from Gopalganj to East Champaran is expected to take between 48 and 50 hours, with movement carefully regulated to ensure safety.
The sculpture has been carved from a single block of granite in Pattikadu village near Mahabalipuram, a region globally known for its stone craftsmanship. The Lingam bears distinct features of traditional south Indian carving styles and is being described as one of the most ambitious feats of contemporary temple sculpture in India. Vinayak Venkataraman, founder of the firm that created the Lingam, said the project cost approximately Rs 3 crore.
The monument is destined for the Virat Ramayana Temple, a vast religious complex currently under construction in East Champaran. The foundation stone of the temple was laid on June 20, 2023, by late Kishore Kunal, chairman of the Bihar State Religious Trust Committee. According to officials, foundational piling work for major structures—including the entrance gate, lion gate, Nandi Mandap and sanctum sanctorum—has already been completed.
Planned on a monumental scale, the temple complex will stretch about 1,080 feet in length and 540 feet in width. The Shiva Lingam is expected to be installed at the site by February, marking a key milestone in the project.
As the slow-moving convoy makes its way across Bihar, it has already begun to draw attention not only for its religious significance but also for the sheer scale of the engineering effort involved—turning an act of transport into a moving spectacle of faith and craftsmanship.
