• Source:Jagran News Network

The world's largest Shivling is set to be installed at the Viraat Ramayan Mandir, currently under construction in East Champaran, with rituals on January 17, Magh Krishna Chaturdashi tithi (a specific lunar day). During the ceremony, the Shivling will undergo a Mahabhishek (grand anointment) with water from five holy rivers. For this, the anointment will be performed with water from places including Haridwar, Prayagraj, Gangotri, Kailash Mansarovar, and Sonpur. Flowers will also be showered from a helicopter during the installation. 

According to religious beliefs, the Shivling originated on Magh Krishna Chaturdashi tithi, and Lord Shiva was first worshipped in the form of a lingam. The significance of this day is considered equal to that of Shivratri. 

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During a press conference at the Mahavir Mandir on Sunday, Sayan Kunal, secretary of the Mahavir Sthan Nyas Samiti (Trust Committee), stated that the Shivling will only be installed for now; the Pran Pratishtha (consecration ceremony) will not take place until the temple's construction is complete. The goal is to complete the Viraat Ramayan Mandir by 2030. 

The Pran Pratishtha of all deities in the temple will be performed by 2030, after which it will be opened for devotees. Pandit Bhavnath Jha stated that a grand yagya (fire ritual) will also be organised on the day of the installation, attended by scholars of the four Vedas. 

The puja (worship) will begin at 8:30 am, and the Shivling will be installed by the afternoon. Following the puja, food and prasad (consecrated food offering) will be distributed. Seven pandits (priests) will travel from the Mahavir Mandir to conduct the worship. A separate Nandi will be constructed after the Shivling, which will also be made from black granite. 

Discussions are underway with Arun Yogiraj, the sculptor who created the idol of Lord Shri Ram for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He is being considered for the task of sculpting the temple's main deities. 

The Shivling has been under construction for the past 10 years in Pattikadu village, Mahabalipuram. It has been carved from a single black granite monolith, measures 33 feet in length, and weighs 210 metric tonnes. It features 1,008 Sahasralingam (miniature lingams). 

On November 21, it departed from Mahabalipuram for the Viraat Ramayan Mandir on a 96-wheeled truck. The Viraat Ramayan Mandir is being constructed by the Mahavir Mandir Nyas Samiti. 

The piling work for the temple's entrance, Ganesh Sthal (Ganesh area), Singh Dwar (Lion Gate), and Garbh Griha (sanctum sanctorum) has been completed. The temple will be 1,080 feet long and 540 feet wide, featuring a total of 18 shikhar (spires) and 22 shrines. 

The main spire will be 270 feet high, four spires will be 180 feet high, one spire 135 feet high, eight spires 108 feet high, and one spire 90 feet high. The Shivling, which departed from Mahabalipuram on November 21, reached Bihar on Saturday after a 45-day journey through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. 

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The Viraat Shivling arrived on Saturday via Gopalganj, having covered a distance of more than 2,500 kilometres. On Saturday, devotees welcomed the Shivling upon its arrival in Balthari, Gopalganj. Crowds of devotees are gathering for a darshan (viewing) wherever the vehicle stops. 

BK Mishra of the temple and temple superintendent K Sudhakaran, among others, were present during the press conference.


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