Overview
- The 33-foot Shiva Lingam, carved from a single granite block in Mahabalipuram, is parked near the Balathari check post in Gopalganj en route to the Virat Ramayan Mandir in East Champaran.
- BRPNNL and NHAI teams, alongside district authorities, are conducting load assessments of the Dumariaghat bridge over the Gandak/Narayani River before any movement is allowed.
- Initial inspections noted visible cracks, and officials say the combined weight of the 210-tonne monolith and its heavy multi-axle trailer exceeds the bridge’s safe capacity.
- Alternative paths, including a route via Bettiah in West Champaran, are under review, and state minister Ashok Choudhary is set to inspect the situation on site.
- Temple organisers have scheduled the installation for January 17, with rituals planned, though the timeline depends on transport clearances and safety approvals.