Mahabalipuram/Chengalapttu: In a monumental feat of faith, art, and logistics, the world’s tallest Shivling, a breathtaking 33-foot-tall, 210-tonne Sahasralingam carved from a single granite block, has begun an unprecedented 2,100-kilometer journey from Tamil Nadu to Bihar. The colossal sculpture will be the centerpiece of the under-construction Virat Ramayan Temple in East Champaran.

Carved over three years by a team of 30 artisans led by master sculptor C. Lokanathan Sthapathi (65) of Mamallapuram, the Shivalinga is a masterpiece of devotion and craftsmanship. Lokanathan, a graduate of the Mamallapuram Government College of Sculpture with 45 years of experience, received the order in 2022. The work commenced on a 350-tonne black granite stone sourced from a quarry in Tirunelveli.

The finished Sahasralingam is an architectural wonder, featuring 1,008 meticulously carved smaller lingams arranged in 14 tiers on its upper surface. Following the completion of Vastu pujas, the gargantuan sculpture was loaded onto a specially designed 96-wheel (130-tire) transporter with the aid of massive cranes.

The great Indian journey: A month-long pilgrimage by road

The logistics of moving this 210-tonne deity are as staggering as its creation. With special permissions from the Central Government, the transporter will travel only at night along national highways to minimize public disruption. Its route will traverse the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh before reaching its final destination in Bihar by the end of December—a journey expected to take 20-25 days.

This is not merely a transport operation but a moving pilgrimage. Devotees in various cities along the route will have the rare opportunity to offer prayers to the Sahasralingam during its passage.

Upon arrival in Bihar, the lingam will be installed and consecrated in January 2026, anchoring the grand three-storey Virat Ramayan Temple in Chakia, East Champaran. The temple complex, once completed, will house this record-breaking Sahasralingam—a timeless symbol of India’s spiritual heritage and sculptural prowess, uniting the sacred geographies of the south and north in a singular act of devotion.