Ghulam Qadir/ Bhopal

Nahru Khan Meo, the Ahmedabad-based social worker who is a mechanic is behind the installation of a 3700 kg metal bell in the Pashupatinath temple of Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh, touted as the biggest temple bell or Mahaghanta - in the world. Interestingly, Nahru Khan has not accepted any remuneration for this. Nahru Bhai volunteered to install it after the local contractor and engineers had given up and told the temple administration that it was very difficult to lift and install such a heavy object.

At this stage, Nahru Khan, who hails from Gujarat and was executing some work in the temple used his expertise as a mechanic to do the job.

So far, the temple of Pashupatinath in Mandsaur was known for the huge Shivaling. However, the focus has now shifted to the big bell that weighs 3,700 kgs and is 7.5 feet high.

The bell has been installed at the bridge connecting the main temple and the annex - a room to cover the Shivalinga.

The Mahaghanta

The bell was installed at the designated place on Sunday with the help of cranes. It's so huge that it's not even possible to ring this bell alone; it takes two to three people to move its oscillator.

The Mahaghanta made of copper and brass was made in Ahmedabad. The temple management claims that it is the world's heaviest bell. The sound of bell will be heard across the city on all days, especially during the festivals. So far, in Mandsaur a 1635 kg bell is installed in the Ratangarh Mataji temple of Datia.

The bell was transported to Mandsaur, 13 months ago. The movement to raise funds for the bells had seen the entire society into action. People donated cash, and also brass and copperware.

The bell hangs on a strong iron beam. Nahru employed a big team to install the bell on the premises After the installation of the clock, Mandsaur MLA Yashpal Singh Sisodia and Collector Gautam Singh inspected the spot and tested the bell. 

The installation is in progress

As soon as the bell rang, a large number of people present applauded Nehru Khan and his team’s efforts.

Naharu Khan Meo told local media, "Ishwar-Allah are different forms of one God and we are all socially connected. This (His effort) maintains a mutually friendly atmosphere."

Naharu said that he is getting satisfaction from the service and will be available to all classes at all times.

Collector Gautam Singh said that when he took charge of Mandsaur, he saw that great bell in the temple and took it as an exhibit due to its size. “I thought installing it would be a dangerous operation. Nahru Khan who was working on the temple project offered to install it in 15 days. The collector ordered the engineer to help them with all the wherewithal.

The thickness of the bells is 66.50 inches; its oscillator weighs more than 200 kg. Its cost is estimated at around 36 lakh rupees. The bell was prepared by 10 artisans who worked for six months.

Nahru Khan Meo

The huge bell was the idea of Dinesh Nagar, president of Shri Krishna Kamdhenu temple.

The members of this organization planned to install a 21-quintal bell in the temple. The collections for the bell would be done every Sunday. People from cities and villages deposited copper and brass utensils. An Ahmedabad-based company was given the contract to make Mahaghanta. It was carried to Mandsaur from Gujarat in a special trolley as people queued up to see this marvelous bell.

It was kept inside the temple premises for a long time while the temple management searched for experts to install it. Many engineers were consulted.

Finally, Nahru Khan Meo was able to do the trick.

Mandsaur DM Gautam Singh said that establishing Mahaghanta was a big challenge. But a Muslim mason Naharu Khan took 15 days and installed the Maha Ghanta safely. Nahru Khan did not take any money for this. The trial of Maha Hour was conducted on Sunday evening. 

The formal inauguration of the Mahaghanta would be done by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and it would, thereafter, be handed over to the common devotees.