Sitamarhi: With assembly elections looming in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made a significant announcement aimed at honouring religious sentiments and cultural heritage. On Sunday, Nitish Kumar revealed plans for the construction of a grand temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi, widely regarded as the birthplace of Goddess Sita.
The announcement, made via the Chief Minister’s official social media account, included images of the proposed design for the temple complex. “I am very happy to share that the design for the grand temple and other associated structures at the birthplace of Jagat Janani Maa Janaki in Punaura Dham, Sitamarhi, is ready. A trust has been formed to expedite the construction work,” the Chief Minister wrote.
The proposed temple is seen as Bihar’s cultural counterpart to the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The demand to develop Punaura Dham on similar lines has been long-standing, especially among residents of the Mithila region. The move is expected to strike a strong emotional chord with the electorate, particularly those with devotional ties to Sita and Ram.
In addition to the temple, Nitish Kumar advocated for the creation of a religious tourism circuit connecting Ayodhya, Punaura Dham, and Janakpur Dham in Nepal, the latter being recognised as the kingdom of King Janak and maternal home of Sita. This circuit, he suggested, would allow pilgrims to trace the spiritual journey of Ram and Sita across India and Nepal.
