India’s diverse landscape is adorned with temples steeped in history and spirituality, each a testament to the country’s rich cultural tapestry. From the sacred lands of Uttar Pradesh to the serene landscapes of West Bengal, these ambitious religious projects stand as beacons of faith and reverence. Each site, whether it’s the grandeur of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya or the sprawling expanse of the Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra in West Bengal, embodies the fusion of tradition, innovation, and a profound dedication to spiritual sanctity. These religious endeavors, ranging from colossal structures to meticulous beautification projects, embody the country’s enduring spiritual essence, inviting devotees and visitors alike to witness the synthesis of history, culture, and devotion.
Curated below is a list of the ‘Key Upcoming Religious Projects in India’-
1. Shree Mandira Parikrama Project (SMPP), Puri
The Jagannath Temple in Puri holds profound cultural and religious significance in India. The initiative to beautify its perimeter, amounting to INR 943 Crores, focuses on redeveloping the temple’s periphery. In November 2021, under the guidance of Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, the foundation stone was laid to transform the 75-meter corridor surrounding the temple into a pilgrim center.
The scope of work involves the redesign of the 75-meter area adjacent to the temple’s boundary wall. This ambitious project encompasses a seven-meter green buffer zone, a pedestrian-only path (10-meter Antar Pradakshina) for parikrama (circumambulation), and an outer circumambulation path lined with trees. Furthermore, it includes amenities such as public conveniences, queue management facilities, baggage screening, cloakrooms, drinking water, rest pavilions, and a souvenir shop, aiming to elevate the visitor experience to modern standards.
Project timeline:
– Nov 2019: Commencement of land acquisition involving 600 people relinquishing 15.64 acres of land for the security zone’s development.
– Nov 2021: Foundation stone laid within the 75-meter corridor, marking the commencement of the beautification project.
– Jan 17, 2024: Anticipated opening of the beautified periphery to the public, nearing the completion of this monumental undertaking.
Upon completion, the redeveloped area will boast cutting-edge amenities such as queue management, baggage screening, and other public facilities, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for pilgrims and tourists alike.
Additionally, beyond the temple-centric project, the government is investing INR 3,300 Crore under the ABADHA scheme to transform Puri’s infrastructure, aiming to elevate it to a World Heritage City. This includes security zones, vehicle parking, flyovers, and the innovative Jagannath Ballav Matha Pilgrim Center (JBMPC), housing meditation spaces, pilgrim facilities, commercial areas, and multi-level parking.
2. Shree Ram Mandir (Phase I), Ayodhya
The Ram Mandir, a monumental Hindu temple under construction in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh—the hypothesized birthplace of Lord Rama, is a testament to faith and cultural significance. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is overlooking the construction of the religious project spanning 57 acres with 10 acres dedicated to the temple.
The architectural marvel, sprawling 235 feet wide, 360 feet long, and 161 feet high, follows the traditional northern Indian temple style. Designed by the Sompuras and adapted in 2020 for Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra principles, this complex will stand as the world’s third-largest Hindu shrine upon completion.
Crafted atop a raised platform, the temple complex comprises three stories, five mandapas, and 366 columns adorned with idols, embracing incarnations of deities and yoginis. The temple complex also has prayer halls, educational facilities, museums, and more, catering to the spiritual and cultural needs of thousands of devotees. The awe-inspiring structure utilizes 600,000 cubic feet of sandstone and employs intricate stone block techniques with 10,000 copper plates, ensuring an iron-free construction.
Project timeline:
– Nov 2013: Phase I of the project started, with L&T as the appointed contractor (overseeing the design and construction).
– May 2023: 70% of groundwork and 40% of roof work of the project completed.
– Jan 22, 2024: Installation of Lord Ram’s idol in Garbhagriha to commence.
3. Sri Chaitanya Chandrodaya Mandir, Mayapur
Sri Chaitanya Chandrodaya Mandir is a remarkable testament to spiritual devotion and architectural grandeur being developed by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness). This temple complex stands as a tribute to the revered Pancha-tattva deities – Radha Madhava, Nrisimhadeva, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. It is situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Jalangi rivers in the Nadia district.
The ongoing project is being built on a 34.84-acre land parcel with 597,137 SqFt construction area. The estimated construction cost of the project is INR 238 Crore and is envisioned to be the largest and the second-tallest religious building globally. The temple complex will undergo a five-story expansion. The ground floor will accommodate stilts and parking facilities, while the first floor will house pujari residences, staff quarters, storage rooms, and utilities. The subsequent four floors will be dedicated to museums.
Additionally, at the heart of the complex, an expansive Vedic Planetarium will stand. It will feature the world’s largest dome meticulously crafted from locally and internationally sourced marble, including the rare blue Bolivian marble from Vietnam. This monumental endeavor represents Acharya Prabhupada’s vision to propagate Vedic science by housing a colossal rotating model that invites visitors to embark on an ethereal journey through Vedic cosmology.
Project timeline:
– 2010: The construction of the Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir was announced.
– Feb 2024: Anticipated opening of the temple for visitors.
4. Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra, Digha
The Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra near New Digha Station is a testament to religious & cultural reverence with architectural magnificence. The cultural center mirrors the centuries-old Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and will house the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.
The ongoing project, initiated by the West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (WBHIDCO), is being built on a 19.88-acre plot. The estimated construction cost of the project is INR 143 Crore. The scope of work involves the construction of the main mandir (temple), 12 Diya Stambha, a Padmastambha, Prasadam Hall, Jogya Shala, a sculpture statue, engineering blocks, and facility blocks.
Project timeline:
– Dec 2019: CM of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, announced the construction of Jagannath Dham Sanskriti Kendra.
– Aug 2019: A Detailed Project Report (DPR) completed.
– May 2022: Foundation stone laid for the construction of the temple.
– 2024: Anticipated opening of the temple complex to the public.
The Digha Shankarpur Development Authority (DSDA) will oversee and run the operations of the temple post-completion. A significant allocation of INR 15 Crore has been dedicated to installing a fountain and orchestrating a light & sound show. These initiatives are poised to become a pivotal attraction within the Digha-Mandarmani tourism circuit.
5. Viraat Ramayan Mandir, East Champaran
The Viraat Ramayan Mandir, an ambitious and monumental Hindu temple complex, is being developed in the Kaithwalia-Bahuarwa village, East Champaran District, in Bihar. This architectural marvel spans 161 acres, with a construction area of 3.76 lakh SqFt and an estimated cost of INR 500 Crore.
Standing proudly at a towering 405 feet—nearly twice the height of Angkor Wat—the temple draws inspiration from Cambodia’s Angkor Wat and revered Indian structures like Rameswaram Ramanathasvami and Madurai Meenakshi Sundaresvara. With 11 domes and a colossal hall accommodating 20,000 devotees, this religious venture will feature 18 shrines dedicated to various deities, including Rama and Sita. It also will house the world’s largest Shivaling—a monumental 33-foot-high creation carved from 200 tonnes of black granite near Chennai. Additionally, the complex encompasses Ashoka Vatika, a lake, an office/resthouse, a canteen, pathways, and ample parking facilities.
Project timeline:
– Nov 2013: The state CM Nitish Kumar revealed the model for the Viraat Ramayan Mandir
– June 2015: Commencement of the project started. despite protests from the Cambodian government. – 2024: Anticipated opening of the temple complex to the public.
REFERENCES:
Jagannath Temple, Digha – Wikipedia
Bihar is Constructing the World’s Largest Ramayan Temple
Flood-proof Kedarnath blueprint ready
Jagannath Puri heritage corridor project to open to public on January 17, 2024 – Hindustan Times
Welcome to Sri Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir! | Mayapur.com
Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir – Wikipedia
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