The Viraat Ramayan Mandir in Bihar is slated to commence construction

Construction of the projected Viraat Ramayan Mandir at Kesaria, East Champaran district, Bihar, on the Ram-Janaki Path connecting Ayodhya and Janakpur, which might become the world's largest Hindu temple once finished, is set to begin.

Mahavir Mandir Trust plans to offer a revised tender, inspired by the Central Vista Project in New Delhi, to ensure that the structure lasts at least 250 years, rather than the 100 years originally intended.

"Some of the companies involved with the Central Vista Project might work for the Virat Ramayan Mandir also due to their expertise in building constructions with a minimum of 250-year longevity. Former director general of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) Mohit Kumar Jaiswal has been made the chief adviser of the technical cell for the project. As such a construction is possible, we also thought we should not compromise with less," said Mahavir Mandir Trust secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal.

In November 2013, at a celebration hosted by Dwarka Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopananda Saraswati, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar revealed the temple model at Mahavir Mandir. However, it was postponed due to the Cambodian government's objections to the Indian government. The Cambodian authorities objected to the design, stating that the proposed temple was a duplicate of the Angkor Wat temple from the 12th century. The Angkor Wat temple complex is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the project practically coincided with the construction of the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which saw the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) split its alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and join forces with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. The Gujarat government's Statue of Unity was completed in 2018, but the Mahavir Mandir Trust's temple was stalled owing to international concerns and then land acquisition issues. Following some design revisions and numerous rounds of talks, Trust secretary Kunal, a retired IPS officer, stated that work will begin in earnest within a couple of months, with all difficulties handled.

"The trust has already acquired 100 acres and 25 acres are in the pipeline with money paid. We have also obtained the clearance from the Green Tribunal. As we now want to build it with the latest technology that could ensure higher longevity, we will revise the tender," he added.

Prior to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the project practically coincided with the construction of the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, which saw the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) split its alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and join forces with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar. The Gujarat government's Statue of Unity was completed in 2018, but the Mahavir Mandir Trust's temple was stalled owing to international concerns and then land acquisition issues. Following some design revisions and numerous rounds of talks, Trust secretary Kunal, a retired IPS officer, stated that work will begin in earnest within a couple of months, with all difficulties handled.

The 270-foot-high temple will be built in Janaki Nagar near Kesaria, about 130 kilometres from Patna, with architectural changes made in response to Cambodian officials' objections. The issue is now resolved, according to Kunal, and the great structure with 13 domes will hold 20,000 people in the hall facing the main temple, which will house the statues of Lord Ram, Sita, Lav, and Kush.

With a weight of 250 metric tonnes, a height of 33 feet, and a width of 33 feet, the Shiva temple, the first of the 18 temples to be finished, will house the world's largest Shiv Ling. The largest Shiv Ling in existence is in Tanjavur (Tamil Nadu), which was erected by Chola dynasty ruler Rajraja.

 "The Shiv Ling is already being made at Mahabalipuram. It will be quite a task to bring it to Kesaria, but that will be done," said Kunal.