New Delhi: The government of India, Wednesday, India reassured Cambodia that the planned 'Viraat Ramayan Mandir' in Bihar is not an exact replica of the famed Angkor Wat temple.


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Replying to a written question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State in the External Affairs Ministry V K Singh said the Cambodian embassy here handed over a letter to MEA in June and a similar concern was expressed by their foreign ministry to the Indian Ambassador in Phnom Penh.


"The government of India has taken up the matter of the construction of 'Viraat Ramayan Mandir' with the Bihar government and the promoters of the temple. India has re-assured the Cambodian authorities that while the temple design is inspired by the Angkor Wat temple, it is not an exact replica," Singh said.


In view of the objections raised by Cambodia, the promoters of the temple have made "suitable and substantial" alterations in the design of the proposed temple complex, the minister added.


The Cambodian government protested in June that the temple, proposed to be built at Janki Nagar near Kesaria in East Champaran district that is about 150 km from Patna, was a "replica" of world famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia.


Angkor Wat was built during the rule of King Suryavarman II and is now a Unesco World Heritage site.


The 'Virat Ramayan Mandir' will be taller than Angkor Wat, which stands 215 feet. The complex will have 18 temples with high spires and dedicated to different Hindu deities. Its Shiva temple will house the world's largest 'Shivling'.


The temple complex will have a hall with a seating capacity of 20,000 people, opposite the main temple housing the idols of Lord Ram, his consort Sita and sons Luv and Kush.