World’s tallest Mahakal idol in Bengal: Mamata Banerjee announces Shiva 'Mahatirtha' to transform Siliguri into global pilgrim hub

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced the construction of the world’s tallest idol of the Mahakal avatar of Lord Shiva at a temple complex in Matigara, Siliguri, marking a major push to strengthen religious tourism in north Bengal. The foundation stone for the project was laid by the chief minister in the presence of leaders from various religious communities.

Mahakal Mahatirtha Complex to Feature 216-Foot Structure

Speaking at the event, Banerjee said the towering structure would rise to 216 feet, including a 108-foot bronze idol of Lord Shiva. The sprawling temple complex, to be named ‘Mahakal Mahatirtha’, will be built across 17.41 acres and is expected to be completed within two-and-a-half years.

Once opened to devotees, the complex will be operated by the Mahakal temple trust, she added.

Temple to Accommodate One Lakh Pilgrims Daily

The chief minister said the state government has already handed over the land and floated a tender for the project, which she described as one of the largest temple premises dedicated to Lord Shiva anywhere in the world.

“The land-filling process will begin immediately. The complex will have the capacity to accommodate up to one lakh pilgrims a day,” Banerjee said, underlining the scale of the proposed development.

Linking Bengal’s Plains and Hills Through Spiritual Heritage

Highlighting the cultural significance of the project, Banerjee said the new Mahakal temple complex would symbolically connect the spiritual traditions of Bengal’s plains with the hills, referencing the existing Mahakal temple in Darjeeling.

She added that the project is expected to revitalise religious tourism in the region, giving a major economic and cultural boost to Siliguri and surrounding areas.

Siliguri to Emerge as an International Tourism Hub

Drawing parallels with other flagship religious projects in the state, Banerjee pointed to the Jagannath Dham complex in Digha, built at a cost of Rs 30 crore, which has already recorded a pilgrim footfall of 1.25 crore, and the Durga Angan complex in New Town spread across 17.18 acres.

“The Mahakal temple will become an international tourism destination. Siliguri will no longer remain just a transit point. It will emerge as a tourism hub, bringing together faith, pilgrimage, business and employment,” she said.

International Convention Centre Planned for Siliguri

In another major announcement, the chief minister revealed plans to set up an international convention centre in Siliguri to promote business and economic activity in north Bengal.

“We have already identified the land and will hand it over free of cost to the selected private developer for the construction of the centre,” Banerjee said.

Social Welfare Projects Also Inaugurated

The CM also used the occasion to inaugurate several social infrastructure projects, including new school buildings, luxury buses, and crèches for children of tea garden workers, reinforcing the government’s focus on inclusive development alongside large-scale infrastructure projects.

Inputs from PTI