Patna:
Gujarat has the world's tallest statue in the works; and now Bihar is gearing up to build the world's largest Hindu temple.
The chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, and his counterpart in Bihar, Nitish Kumar, have a long-running political feud.
Mr Modi has championed the 597-foot of freedom fighter Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel that's being built on a river island. Mr Kumar has not been associated with the plans for a massive temple complex in Bihar, but this evening, he showed off the model for the building.
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The Bihar Chief Minister unveiled the model of the Viraat Ramayan Mandir temple, 120 kilometres from the state capital of Patna in the Motihari district.
Mr Kumar was seen touching the feet of some of the state's most senior Hindu priests.
The temple is dedicated to Lord Ram and will cost Rs. 500 crore. It is meant to be ready in five years.
The temple in Bihar, when completed, will be about 400 feet high, twice that of the world's largest Hindu temple complex at Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
The complex in Bihar is being built over 190 acres and will have five storeys. 18 different temples will have idols of Lord Krishna, Shiva and others.
Officials say the temple will be funded by donations from people across the country.
The temple is being built at a site which was reportedly visited by Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman.
The project is being developed by the Mahavir Mandir Trust which runs several charity hospitals in Bihar.
Just days ago, the Bihar Chief Minister's political rival, Narendra Modi, laid the foundation stone for the world's largest statue - that of founding father Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. That project will cost almost Rs. 2,074 crore ($340 million).
Earlier this year, the Bihar Chief Minister ended his 17-year alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party over its decision to give Mr Modi the lead role in its campaign for the national election. Both leaders have traded acerbic charges
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