The recent spell of tremors has prompted the Mahavir Mandir Trust to ensure its upcoming shrine in Kesaria can withstand earthquakes measuring up to 9 on the Richter scale.

Touted as the world's biggest Hindu shrine, the bhoomi pujan of the Viraat Ramayan Mandir was conducted in 2012. The trust would start the construction work in a month.

The temple will come up on 200 acres at Bahuara-Kathwali village in Kesaria, around 160km north of Patna. Mumbai-based private firm Valecha Construction Company has been picked as the executing agency for the project. The officials have been directed to construct the temple in such a way that the structure is earthquake proof.

Mahavir Sansthan Nyas Samiti secretary Acharya Kishore Kunal said: "The place where the temple is being planned falls under seismic zone IV (high risk). Earlier, we had never thought on these lines but the recent earthquake and the frequent aftershocks since then have forced us to seriously consider this. We have asked the construction company to construct the temple in such a way that it is earthquake proof to a certain extent."

After the April 25 earthquake, there have been at least 152 aftershocks. The construction company has decided to treat the region as a seismic zone V (very high risk) and work accordingly.

Director of the construction company Umesh Valecha said: "We are going to use modern technology to construct in such a way that it can withstand an earthquake measuring up to 9 on the Richter scale. We will treat the place as a seismic zone V through pile hydraulic rotary rigs. It is the best machine to ensure a strong foundation of a structure."

The temple complex is 2,500ft high and 1,296ft wide, while the main shrine would be 379ft high.

Making the temple earthquake proof has escalated the project cost from Rs 500 crore to Rs 650 crore. The temple is expected to be complete in three years.