Overview
- The foundation stone was laid at Matigara near Siliguri for the Mahakal Mahatirtha complex in Darjeeling district.
- The plan specifies a 216-foot structure featuring a 108-foot bronze idol of the Mahakaal form of Lord Shiva.
- The site spans roughly 17 to 17.41 acres with an estimated cost of ₹344.2 crore and a projected capacity of about 100,000 visitors per day.
- Officials said land previously leased to a private company was transferred to the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority, with land handed over and a construction tender floated as landfilling begins.
- The state will create a managing trust with monks as members to operate the complex, while the BJP has objected to the use of public funds for building places of worship.