BREAKING NEWS :BIHAR CM NITISH KUMAR & UNION HM MINISTER AMIT SHAH LAYS FOUNDATION STONE FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MAA SITA BIRTH PLACE PUNAURADHAMTEMPLE AND SORROUNDING AREA IN SITAMARHI AT A COST OF RS.883 CRORES

TTT NEWS NETWORK

PATNA | 8 AUGUST 2025

The auspicious birthplace of Mother Sita, Punaura Dham, marks the beginning of a golden chapter!! The foundation stone laying and groundbreaking ceremony for the ambitious plan of comprehensive development of the Punaura Dham temple and its premises was successfully held todayby  Union Home Minister  Amit Shah and the Bihar  Chief Minister  Nitish Kumar, in the esteemed presence of Union Ministers and public representatives.

The ceremony was presided over by the  Minister of the Tourism Department,  Raju Kumar Singh. This foundation stone laying is not only a milestone in the direction of preserving religious heritage but also a resolve to elevate Bihar’s cultural identity and pride to new heights.

“Today, I  haveparticipated in the land worship and foundation stone-laying ceremony organized in the presence of the  Union Home Minister  AmitShah  for the comprehensive development plan of the temple and premises of Punaura Dham, the birthplace of Mother Janaki, the universal mother. During this, the foundation stone was laid for this ambitious project worth 883 crore rupees. The government is determined to complete the construction of the grand temple in Punaura Dham, Sitamarhi, at the earliest. Its comprehensive development will be carried out on the lines of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirth Kshetra, Ayodhya. The central government is also developing rail and road connectivity between Ayodhya and Sitamarhi. Additionally, a new train service from Sitamarhi to Delhi has been introduced, for which I express gratitude to the  Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi . The construction of this grand temple of Mother Janaki is a matter of fortune and pride for all the people of the country and especially for all of us in Bihar,” said Mr. Nitish Kumar.

Punaura Dham, located in the Sitamarhi district of Bihar, is globally renowned as the birthplace of Goddess Sita. This pilgrimage site in Sitamarhi is an integral part of India’s Ramayana Circuit, attracting millions of devotees from various Indian states every year. The sacred birthplace of Mata Janaki is a symbol of supreme faith for Hindus. Grand celebrations are held annually here on the occasions of Janaki Jayanti (birth anniversary of Mata Sita), Ram Navami, Hanuman Jayanti, and Vivah Panchami, which are attended by thousands of devoted pilgrims.

According to religious beliefs, the Mata Janaki Kund, located within the premises, holds immense significance, where devotees take holy dips as an act of faith.

Mr. Lokesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, Government of Bihar, stated that in order to enhance and better organize the temple premises and its surroundings, the department has taken a historic step. As part of this initiative, the government has planned the acquisition of an additional 50 acres of land, with a rejuvenation and holistic development budget of ₹882.87 crore, including ₹165.57 crore for land acquisition.

Key Highlights of the Proposed Project Plan:

• Expansion of the temple campus to establish a cohesive and well-equipped integrated complex.
• Connecting the temple premises with the proposed Ram Janaki Path.
• Construction of grand and well-planned entrance gatesfor smooth entry and exit.
• Development of facilities such as bus and car parking, e-cart stations, pilgrim accommodations, staff quarters, a 250-seat Satvik dining hall, and other public amenitiesnear the northern and western boundaries.

• Shaded, easily accessible walking paths, benches for rest, and dedicated e-cart routesfrom the parking area to the main temple.
• Two pilgrim service centerswith a capacity for 4,000 devoteesnear the main temple for security checks, baggage deposit counters, waiting areas, restrooms, drinking water, first aid, baby care rooms, and more.
• At the temple entrance, devotees will be provided with wheelchairsand special lines for the elderly and differently-abled, facilities for footwear deposit, toilets, flower and prasad counters, and shaded corridorsfor systematic movement.
• Around the main temple, a decorative stone corridor (parikramapath)will be built using sandstonein the Nagara style, with a grand entrance and integrated sub-temples on the eastern side.
• The main sanctum (garbhagriha) remains in its original location, and to enhance its grandeur, a new sub-sanctum, parikrama path, grand mahamandap, and Singh Dwarwill be constructed at the ground level. The first floorwill host idols of other deities.
• The outer structure, mandap, and semi-mandap will be adorned with pink sandstone from Rajasthan, featuring carved pillars, screens, arches, balconies, sculptures, murals, and decorative roofs.
• The inner sanctum’s walls and ceilingwill be made of white Ambaji marble, decorated with sculptures, murals, pillars, representations of deities, navagrahas, and other celestial elements.
• The main sanctum will have a Solanki-style shikhara, while the sub-sanctum and Singh Dwarwill feature Besar-style towers.
• The design of the proposed temple structure will be inspired by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, keeping its size and height relatively modest in comparison.
• A Yajna Mandap, Anushthan Mandap, and Bhog Kitchenwill be built in the southeast corner for religious ceremonies.
• The adjacent Mata Janaki Kundwill be redeveloped with newly built ghats, pavilions (chhatris), and facilities for female devotees, along with systems for water conservation and recharge.
• After temple visits, pilgrims will have access to temple prasad, inquiry counters, donation sections, and souvenir shops.
• Outside the temple premises, a food courtwill be built offering local delicacies, alongside a convention hallfor religious events, seminars, and storytelling sessions.
• A museumwill also be developed inside the temple complex, to be constructed and managed by the temple trust.
• To ensure smooth functioning, the premises will include an administrative office, trust office, and facility management centre, responsible for managing infrastructure, amenities, and greenery.
• The complex will be surrounded by green parks, gardens, and trees, representing cultural and ecological harmony.
• A fairgroundwith a 50,000-person capacitywill be created, featuring a fully-equipped stage for cultural programs, enabling locals and pilgrims to celebrate and share their traditions and values.
• Special provisions will be made for elderly and differently-abledvisitors to move around easily.

The core purpose of this grand project is to revive and preserve this sacred heritage, renew the spirit of devotion and consciousness, and offer a spiritually uplifting experience to all devotees. In the coming years, this initiative aims to set a benchmark for major temples and pilgrimage centres across India.