Aizawl: Solomon's Temple, at Kidron Valley, Chawlhmun, on the western outskirts of Aizawl, built by a religious group called Kohhran Thianghlim (Holy Church), was inaugurated on Monday, after 20 years of construction.

Jews across the world have been looking forward to the rebuilding of King Solomon's temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, which will be the third temple.

The first temple was built by Solomon in ancient Jerusalem which was destroyed following the siege of Jerusalem in 587 BC. It was replaced with the second temple in 6 BC, which was again destroyed in 70 AD.

According to L.B. Sailo, leader of the church, God has "shifted" the site of the Solomon Temple from Jerusalem to Mizoram.

"For 2000 years, believers of Christ have built temples, cathedrals and churches but not God's temple worth to be called as Solomon's Temple. Now, God has found a site for His temple in Mizoram," Sailo, founder of Kohhran Thianghlim, said.

Sailo, who is also the director of animal husbandry and veterinary department under the Mizoram government, claimed to have received a divine calling in 1983 to build the temple, which will be the third temple of King Solomon.

The construction of the majestic temple commenced on December 25, 1996, setting a timeframe of 20 years for its completion.

The construction of the temple cost Rs 8 crore, which was a gigantic task for the Holy Church whose members account for less than 1 per cent of the Christian population in Mizoram.

"Most of the funds are contributed by the church members. Donation was also collected worldwide, but that has been minimal. Visitors also donated small amounts of money to the temple authority," a church member said.

High quality marble was imported from outside, to make the temple the first and only temple in Mizoram with a marble structure.

Standing on a hilltop, ironically called Kidron Valley, on the western outskirts of Aizawl, the temple has already become one of the most visited places by tourists in Mizoram even before its completion.