The tallest Shivling ever crafted from a single, solid block of granite is currently being transported from Tamil Nadu to Bihar, marking a remarkable milestone in spiritual architecture and craftsmanship. Towering at an impressive height of 33 feet and weighing an astounding 210 tonnes, this colossal structure is a true testament to human dedication, skill, and devotion. The magnificent Shivling has been meticulously created in the historic town of Mahabalipuram after years of tireless effort by highly skilled artisans, who carefully shaped and polished the massive stone with precision and patience. Their extraordinary craftsmanship has turned a single piece of granite into a sacred structure of immense religious and cultural significance, destined to become a major spiritual landmark once it reaches its final destination.
The sacred Shivling is set to be installed at the soon-to-be-inaugurated Virat Ramayan Temple located in Bihar’s East Champaran district. Once the temple officially opens its doors to devotees and visitors, this magnificent Shivling is expected to emerge as one of its most prominent and awe-inspiring attractions, drawing pilgrims from different parts of the country.
This extraordinary Shivling has been meticulously carved in the Pattikadu region near the historic town of Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, an area renowned for its rich tradition of stone craftsmanship. A team of highly skilled artisans dedicated nearly ten years to shaping, refining, and polishing the massive stone structure. During this long and intricate process, special care was taken to ensure perfect balance, an exceptionally smooth surface, and strict adherence to religious and aesthetic design principles. According to a report by ETV Bharat, the total cost involved in creating this grand Shivling is estimated to be around Rs 3 crore.
To transport such a colossal and delicate structure across thousands of kilometers, a specially designed 96-wheel hydraulic trailer has been arranged. This advanced vehicle is engineered specifically to carry extremely heavy and oversized loads with maximum safety and stability over long distances, ensuring that the Shivling remains intact throughout the journey.
The transportation from Tamil Nadu to Bihar is expected to take approximately 20 to 25 days. However, the exact duration of the journey may vary depending on several factors such as road conditions, traffic movement, and weather patterns encountered along the route. Despite these challenges, the careful planning behind this massive operation reflects the immense spiritual and cultural significance attached to the installation of the Shivling at the Virat Ramayan Temple.
Once the massive Shivling arrives in Chakia, located in Bihar’s East Champaran district, the temple authorities will begin elaborate preparations for its final installation. The much-awaited sacred Pran-Pratishtha ceremony—during which life is ritually invoked into the idol—is expected to take place at an astrologically auspicious time, most likely in early 2026. This ceremony will mark the spiritual culmination of years of effort, craftsmanship, and devotion associated with the project.
However, the claim that this Shivling will be the “world’s tallest” has sparked some debate. Several observers have questioned the validity of the title, citing the existing 126-foot-tall Shivling at the Maha Mrityunjay Temple in Nagaon, Assam, which currently holds a significant place among large Shiva representations.
What distinguishes the Mahabalipuram Shivling, though, is its extraordinary nature as a true monolith. It has been carved from a single massive block of granite sourced from Pattikadu village in Tamil Nadu. Before sculpting began, the raw stone itself reportedly weighed close to an astonishing 300 tonnes. This single-piece construction sets it apart from most other towering Shiva structures across India.
To put this into perspective, many of the country’s iconic large Shiva representations—such as the 65-foot Kotilingeshwara or the 87-foot Namchi Shiva statue—are built using assembled materials and structural frameworks rather than being carved from one solid rock. Because of this unique monolithic character, the Mahabalipuram Shivling occupies a rare and exceptional category of its own, even amid India’s many grand and revered Shiva monuments.
Vinayak Venkatraman, founder of the Delhi-based firm Kris and Vi, shared insights into the immense technical effort involved in creating the Sahasra Shivlingam. Although the project contract was granted in 2015, actual execution began only in 2022 after years were spent identifying the right stone, obtaining necessary permissions, and laying the groundwork.
The team ultimately sourced a rare block of “diamond granite” from the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Weighing nearly 300 tonnes, the colossal stone was transported over a distance of 700 kilometers to Pattikadu for sculpting. To move such an enormous load, a specialized multi-axle truck-trolley system—usually reserved for heavy industrial equipment like turbines and reactors—was deployed.
The project was led under the guidance of Vinayak’s 73-year-old mother and company mentor, Hemlata, along with senior sculptor Loknath, aged 70. Their 24-member team blended traditional hand-carving techniques with modern machinery to achieve precision in design.
A Shivling consists of three distinct sections—the square Brahma-pitha, the octagonal Vishnu-pitha, and the circular Shiva-pitha. The base of the structure is adorned with 1,008 miniature shivlingas arranged across 14 rows, which gives the monument its name, Sahasra Shivlingam.
Facing unpredictable weather conditions and intricate technical challenges, the team followed a rolling 30-day work plan and adhered to strict approval protocols. Special permission from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was also required to transport the oversized stone structure safely.
The Virat Ramayan Temple is being constructed by the Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust. Once completed, the massive temple complex will span 1,080 feet in length and 540 feet in width. Its outer walls will be adorned with detailed depictions of scenes from the Ramayana. The temple will also feature 22 smaller shrines, 18 spires, and a grand central spire that will soar to a height of 270 feet.
Several important sections of the temple have already been completed, including the main entrance gate, Ganesh Sthal, Singh Dwar, the Nandi statue, and the piling work for the sanctum sanctorum.
