West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday laid the foundation stone of the Mahakal Temple at Siliguri in Darjeeling district. This is the third temple announced by the Chief Minister after the inauguration of Jagannath Temple in Digha in April 2025 and foundation stone laying of Durga Angan at Rajarhat in December 2025.
“We have named this Shiv Temple ‘Mahakal Mahatirtha.’ Another gem is added to the crown of Bengal today. In the coming days, this temple will become an international tourism destination, just like Jagannath Dham and Durga Angan,” the Chief Minister said at the event.
Ms. Banerjee added that the temple will be built on 17.41 acres of land and it will take 2 to 2.5 years for it to complete. The Trinamool Congress chairperson said that the temple will house the tallest Mahakal idol which will be 108 feet tall.
“The temple complex can be seen from the main road, and 1 lakh people can come here every day. Along with the main temple, we are building the world’s tallest Mahakal idol. The main idol, made of bronze, will be 108 feet tall. The foundation on which it will be placed will also be 108 feet in height,” she said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the laying of the foundation stone of the “Mahakal Temple” in Siliguri | Photo Credit: ANI
