Siliguri, 16 January (H.S.) :

Amid chants of “Har Har Mahadev,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Mahakal Temple at the Laxmi Township area in Matigara, Siliguri, on an auspicious date. The Chief Minister announced that the construction is expected to be completed within the next two to two-and-a-half years and expressed hope that the temple would significantly enrich Siliguri’s tourism landscape.

The Mahakal Temple complex will be developed on a total area of 17.41 acres and the construction work will be undertaken by a dedicated trust. Addressing the gathering before the foundation-laying ceremony, Mamata Banerjee shared detailed specifications of the project, describing it as a major spiritual and cultural landmark for North Bengal.

According to the plan, the temple will be clearly visible from the main road and is designed to accommodate at least one lakh devotees ежедневно. The complex will feature the main shrine along with the world’s tallest Mahakal statue, built for grand darshan. The statue will have a total height of 216 feet, comprising a 108-foot bronze idol mounted on a 108-foot pedestal.

In addition to the main temple, the complex will house a Mahakal Museum and a cultural hall. Two Nandi mandaps will be constructed on the eastern and western sides of the temple. Along the boundary of the complex, there will be 12 Abhishek Lingam temples, featuring replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas from across India.

The design includes two circumambulatory (parikrama) paths, allowing around 10,000 devotees to move comfortably at a time. The four corners of the temple complex will be dedicated to four deities—Lord Ganesha in the southwest, Lord Kartikeya in the northwest, Shakti in the northeast, and Lord Vishnu-Narayana in the southeast.

Two large assembly halls (Sabha Mandaps) will be part of the complex, each capable of seating more than 6,000 people ежедневно. The temple will also depict the legends, glory and spiritual significance of Mahakal. Facilities such as a Rudraksha Kund and an Amrit Kund will be created, from where devotees can collect sacred water for abhishek rituals to take home.

Additional amenities within the temple premises will include a prasad distribution centre, souvenir shops, a cafeteria, and a dala complex, along with dedicated residential arrangements for priests.

From the foundation-laying stage, the Chief Minister reaffirmed her resolve, stating, “I have said that I will make Bengal number one, and I will definitely do it.” The Mahakal Temple project is being seen as a landmark initiative combining spirituality, culture and tourism, poised to place Siliguri prominently on the national religious tourism map.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh