Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan offered the country’s biggest and heaviest bell at the historic and holy temple of Ratangarh Mata Mandir on Friday. Before making the offering, the Chief Minister along with his wife performed worship of the bell with religious rites and rituals. The Chief Minister said that every possible facility will be made available to devotees at Ratangarh Mandir.
After inception of the bell, Chouhan along with his wife Sadhana Singh worshipped at Mata Mandir and Kunwar Baba Mandir and prayed for State’s prosperity and progress. He was accompanied by Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Narottam Mishra and local MP Bhagirath Prasad.
The Chief Minister said that there would not be lack of funds for mobilising facilities for devotees at Ratangarh Mandir. He said that a new bridge parallel to old one on Sindh River will be constructed to facilitate devotees to reach the temple. Besides, all roads from Gauri Ghat to the temple will also be constructed. Chouhan said that a Dharmshala will also be constructed for devotees in temple premises. The State Government will soon chalk out an action plan for these works.
MlAs Bharat Singh Kushwaha, Ghanshyam Pirauniya and Pradeep Agrawal, Gwalior district Panchayat President Manisha Yadav, Datia district Panchayat President Ranjana Prajapati, other public representatives and large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
The unique and attractive bell offered at the temple weighs 21 quintals. It is being cited as the biggest bell at any temple in the country. Total weight of the angles supporting hanging of the bell, brass sheets covering them and the bell weigh 50 quitals. The bell has been sculpted by eminent sculptor Prabhat Rai. Tin has been used so that the bell gives sonorous sound. Over 55 per cent bronze, about 35 per cent zinc and other metals have been used for the bell. Donations of devotees, who had been offering small bells earlier, have come handy in making this bell, which has been carved after dissolving earlier small bells.