On 17th January, the world’s largest Sahasralingam Shiva Lingam will be consecrated at the under-construction Virat Ramayana Temple, in the East Champaran district of Bihar, amidst elaborate rituals. The district administration is also on high alert in view of the monumental event, which has filled the devotees with immense enthusiasm.
The religious program coincides with the occasion of Magha Krishna Chaturdashi. According to religious beliefs, the lingam is considered to have originated on this date, making it as significant as Shivaratri. During the ceremony, an extensive consecration (Mahabhishek) will take place using water sourced from five holy rivers and pilgrimage locations, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Gangotri, Kailash Mansarovar and Sonpur. Flowers will also be showered from a helicopter, contributing to the exceptionally divine ambience.
This grand lingam was hewn from a single block of black granite in Mahabalipuram of Tamil Nadu. It was finally completed, standing at 33 feet tall and weighing close to 210 metric tons following nearly 10 years of diligent efforts.
It is adorned with 1008 smaller Shiva lingams, intricately carved into its surface. On 21st November of last year, the lingam was transported on a special vehicle equipped with 96 wheels. It passed through Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh before reaching Bihar after a period of around 45 days.
A joyful atmosphere is present in Kesariya and the nearby areas as devotees are coming from various locations for darshan and worship. The district administration expects a large influx of visitors and has implemented thorough preparations for security, traffic management and crowd control.
The District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police inspected the temple area and issued guidelines regarding parking, signage, the deployment of more police personnel and CCTV surveillance. The administration has assured that ensuring the safety of the devotees is the highest priority and that any disorder will be addressed effectively.
