Lagatar24 Desk
Patna, March 22: A Muslim family in Bihar has donated property worth Rs.2.5 crore for the construction of the world’s largest Hindu temple, the Virat Ramayan Mandir, in the Kaithwalia area of the state’s East Champaran district, setting an example of communal harmony in the country.
Ishtiyaq Ahmad Khan, who donated the site, is a businessman from East Champaran based in Guwahati, according to Acharya Kishore Kunal, chief of the Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Trust, which is overseeing the project.
“He recently completed all formalities pertaining to the donation of land belonging to his family for the construction of the temple at the registrar office of the Kesharia sub-division [East Chanmparan],” said Kunal, a former Indian Police Service officer to reporters.
Bihar | A Muslim family donated their land worth 2.5 crores to build 'Virat Ramayan Mandir' in Patna
Majority of land is owned by our family. I think it is my responsibility to do something for the construction of the temple. This is a tradition of our family: Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan pic.twitter.com/Fts9U3CN8X
— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2022
According to the Acharya, Khan’s and his family’s offering is a magnificent example of social harmony and brotherhood between two communities. It would have been difficult to realise this ideal project without the help of Muslims, he continued.
The Mahavir Mandir Trust has already secured 125 acres of land for the temple’s construction. In the near future, the trust will also acquire another 25 acres of land in the vicinity.
Interestingly, the Virat Ramayan Mandir is expected to be taller than Cambodia’s world-famous Angkor Wat complex, which stands at 215 feet. The East Champaran complex would contain 18 temples with lofty spires, including the world’s largest Shivling at its Shiv temple.
The entire cost of construction is expected to be in the region of Rs. 500 crore. The trust will seek input from specialists involved in the construction of New Delhi’s new parliament building soon.