CM likely to lay foundation of Mahakal temple on Jan 16
Times of India | 3 January 2026
Siliguri: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is likely to lay the foundation stone of a Mahakal temple, the construction of which she had earlier announced, in Siliguri, on Jan 16. Banerjee had announced the construction of a bigger temple on Oct 16 after offering puja at Darjeeling's Mahakal temple while on a visit to flood-affected areas in the Hills on Oct 4.
The Mahakal temple near Matigara is the third major temple project undertaken by the state in recent times, after Digha's Jagannath temple and the Durga Angan in Rajarhat. While the CM opened the Jagannath temple on April 30 last year, foundation stone of Durga Angan was laid on Dec 29.
In Nov last year, the state cabinet, chaired by Banerjee, approved the establishment of the Mahakal temple along with a cultural complex at Matigara. The project earmarked 25 acres of land for the temple complex while an additional three acres were allocated for the cultural complex.
Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb said preliminary work for the Mahakal temple had started under the supervision of West Bengal Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (Hidco). Deb said preliminary work for the temple near Uttarayan township had progressed rapidly following the announcement by CM Banerjee. A site inspection was conducted on Friday by the chairman of SJDA, the deputy mayor of Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the Darjeeling DM, the SDO of Siliguri and other officials. "The inspection focused on reviewing the progress of the preliminary work and coordinating efforts among departments to expedite the construction process. The CM is likely to lay the foundation on Jan 16," Deb said.
The mayor added that a meeting with various stakeholders would be held at the state guest house in Siliguri to discuss the project's future.
Reacting to this, former Siliguri mayor and CPM neta Ashok Bhattacharya criticised what he termed "temple politics", alleging that there was little difference between PM Narendra Modi and CM Mamata Banerjee on this issue. "Both have now resorted to temple politics, and all this is happening with state patronage," Bhattacharya said.
Hitting back, Deb said, "His comments have no substance. Millions of devotees are visiting Jagannath temple in Digha. Earlier, tourists did not stay in Siliguri and would move on to other destinations. Now, with attractions like Bengal Safari and the Iskcon temple, tourists are spending more time here. With the Mahakal temple coming up, the inflow of tourists will increase further."