Patna Shakti Peeth

Patna Shakti Peeth is among the 51 Shakti Peeth of Ma Sati. It is said that, the right thigh of maa Sati fell here, when lord Vishnu in order to relieve lord Shiva from grief of losing his wife Sati, used his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ to incise maa Sati Body. Then, at the place of fall of right thigh, this temple was constructed. Patna Shakti Peeth is situated in Maharajganj, about 10 K.m East from the Patna, Bihar, India. Here the idol of maa Sati is called as ‘Shakti’ and the lord Shiva is worshipped as ‘Vyomkesh’.

Shakti Peeth is famously called as the Bari Patan Devi temple and the Chhoti Patan Devi temple. It was constructed in the place where, Magdha City used to be there in the ancient times. Patna has its separate place in the heart of Hindu religion, has always been known for its cultural, theological importance and was among the best place for the spiritual in the ancient India. The art and architecture of the temple is quite simple, but it is sober. The main temple has a long dome structure and is painted with Pinkish color. Metal Railings are there, in order to keep the crowd in systematic manner. Just near to the temple, around 4 Km away, Holiest river of India, Ganga flows. Every day, Aarti is being carried by the priest and they recite Prayers dedicated to god and goddess and this aarti is followed by the bells, which looks very adorable.

History of Patna Peeth

The origin of Magdha can be traced back in the 493 B.C when the king Ajathashatru founded this city and his son Udayi made adjoining areas near this city, known as Pataliputra. History to this place dates back in the time when it is said that the right thigh of Maa Sati fell to this place. Best information about the origin and the formation of this temple, people can be taken from with local people. Religious books, Purans etc are worth trying to find out the history about the Shakti Peeth.

Festivals in Patan Devi temple

1. Makar Sankranti, Sharad Purnima, Deepawali, Somvati Amavasya, Ram Navami are some of the other important festivals being celebrated here.
2. Vijayadashmi mela or fair is quite popular here and is celebrated with great devotion and harmony.
3. People (Almost every day) offer their offering to the god in form of fruit, milk, homemade sweets etc.
4. Navratri that falls two times in a year- one in the month of March or April and other in the September or October month depending on the Hindu calendar, is among the major festival here. Navratri are celebrated for over 9 days, with some people not eating any type of food that is derived from the soil for these nine days. Special ceremonies and rituals are carried during these days.
5. Another festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm is the ‘Shiv Ratri’ and during this day, people keep fast, pour milk on the Shiv Lingam and offers ‘Bail’ (A type of fruit) to the god idol.

Where to stay

If you are looking for either cheap or expensive type of accommodation, then both are available here. Here we have listed names of some hotels that will help you to short your search for finding accommodations spaces. Windsor Hotel, Maurya Hotel, Patliputra Ashok Hotel, Samrat International Hotel, Element Guestline, Hotel City Centre, Chanakya Hotel, Chanakya inn, Orchid Hotel, President Hotel are some of the cheap, yet good accommodations places. Here the rent of each room may vary from Rs 600 to Rs 6500. Also there are several non payable guest houses or dharmsalas that are run by the various nonprofit organizations. Beware of the touts who promises to give hi-fi deals with cheap rates.

Shopping around Patan Devi temple

1. Religious Paraphernalia can be bought from the shops that are located just outside the temple.
2. Traditional Clothes can be bought from here, at local market.
3. Local delicacies like litti chokha, milk pedas and chaats, is really something that needs to be tasted.
4. Rice and Daal is quite famous here and common appetite in the menu of hotels.
5. Bargaining for the items is really necessary here as shopkeepers tend to ask higher price for the good that you want to purchase. A little knowledge about the prices of the basic things in this country will help travelers a lot.

Other places that can be visited nearby

Following are some of the places that you might want to visit:

• Gandhi Maidan, Phulwari Sharif, Mahatma Gandhi Setu, Folk Art Museum, College of Arts & Crafts, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Patna Museum, Pathar Ki Masjid, Gol Ghar, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Library some of the star attraction nearby this temple.
• You can also go for Patan Devi Temple, Agam Kuan, Jalan Museum, Srikrishna Science Centre, Mahavir Mandir, Patna Planetarium, Sanjay Gandhi Jaivik Udyan, Maner Sharif, Padri Ki Haveli, Mangal Talab and they are located near to the Shakti Peeth.

How to reach the Patan Devi temple

1. Direct trains are available to Patna Railway station and various trains ply directly from Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai to here.
2. Several deluxe bus services are available to Patna and they are worth trying, if you are not getting reservation in the train.
3. Nearest airport is in the Loknayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna, and national flights are available till here. For international flights, Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Gaya is the nearest location. But it is advisable to have taxi or your own mode of transportation when you are coming to Patna from airport.
4. Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw and Bus are common mode of transportation inside the city.
5. Take necessary steps to protect yourself from sunburn etc, because in the summer season, temperature shoots up to 40+ degrees in this part of the country.