108-Foot Model of Kashi Vishwanath Temple to be Built at Mahakumbh, Devotees to Witness Shiva’s Splendor
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh): At the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, the revered Kashi Vishwanath will also grace the sacred event. Devotees visiting Mahakumbh will receive Lord Shiva’s blessings in a grand gesture. A 108-foot replica of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham is being constructed near Mori Marg and Shankaracharya Square along the banks of the Ganga River. This replica will feature a ‘Mahamani Shivling’ made of crystal, allowing devotees to witness its divine presence.
Jagjeetan Pandey, General Secretary of the All India Dharma Sangh, stated that the purpose of constructing this temple is to provide devotees visiting Mahakumbh an opportunity to experience the divine darshan of Lord Shiva after bathing in the Ganga. Entry to this replica will be permitted from January 12, and visitors will have the chance to worship the crystal ‘Mahamani Shivling.’
Artisans from West Bengal have been invited to build the temple model, which will use 12,000 bamboo sticks and approximately 9,000 meters of golden fabric for decoration. Unlike the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, where devotees worship Lord Shiva in the Narmadeshwar form, this replica will feature the Mahamani Shivling.
Additionally, a 150-foot storytelling pavilion and a 125-foot Yagna Mandap with 33 kunds are being prepared. A grand Atirudra Mahayagna will be conducted in these kunds with 2.5 million offerings. Over 50,000 devotees are expected to perform various forms of abhishekam (ritual offerings) to the Mahamani Shivling over a month.
Pandey added that the temple model will have three entry gates and ten spires, with 200 workers dedicated to the construction, which is expected to be completed in 15 days. Under the guidance of Dharmsangh Peethadheeshwar Shankar Chaitanya Brahmachari Maharaj, daily worship and abhishekam of the Mahamani Shivling will be conducted from January 12 to February 12.
The Dharmsangh campus at Mahakumbh Nagar will host daily recitations of the four Vedas by young scholars and provide a cow shelter for devotees to offer prayers to sacred cows. Devotees will also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the stories of Shri Ram and the Shrimad Bhagavat. Furthermore, an Annakhetra (food distribution area) will operate daily to serve prasad to devotees throughout the Mahakumbh.
