Sitamarhi, Bihar — A momentous ceremony unfolded at Punaura Dham, the revered birthplace of Goddess Sita, as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alongside Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, performed the Bhumi Pujan and laid the foundation stone for the ambitious redevelopment of the Maa Janaki Temple complex on August 8, 2025.
Described by Shah as a day of blessings and renewal, the event witnessed elaborate Vedic rituals, with soil and water — sourced from numerous sacred rivers and pilgrimage sites — symbolizing unity. The ceremony was attended by several Union and state ministers, including Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, as well as saints from across India.
The temple complex will rise over 67 acres, combining spiritual grandeur with tourism infrastructure. It includes the new grand temple, parikrama path, museum, auditorium, cafeteria, playgrounds, dharamshala, Sita Vatika, and a bhajan sandhya venue. Pale Makrana sandstone will be utilized, and the architectural vision is inspired by Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, with Chandrakant Sompura leading the design.
Costing approximately ₹883 crore, the project is slated for completion within three years — ₹137 crore allocated toward renovating the existing temple and the remainder for expanded facilities and tourism amenities.
In his address, Home Minister Amit Shah lauded Mithila as “a jewel of India,” and emphasized the temple’s potential to herald a new era of spiritual and cultural rejuvenation for Bihar. He also flagged off the Sitamarhi–Delhi Amrit Bharat Express, further enhancing connectivity for pilgrims and fostering tourism.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar highlighted the broader developmental context—listing infrastructure upgrades like rail, roads, health, flood control, and youth sports facilities, which signal Bihar’s transformation under the current political dispensation.
Spanning 67 acres and poised for completion by 2028, the majestic Maa Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham—designed by the architects behind Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir—combines expansive cultural spaces, pilgrimage amenities, and immersive ritual storytelling to usher in a renaissance of Mithila’s spiritual and cultural legacy.
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