Sitamarhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will lay the foundation stone for a grand Janki Mandir in Sitamarhi’s Punauradham on Friday, marking the start of a large-scale spiritual and cultural project in Bihar. Dedicated to Mother Sita and spread across 67 acres, the temple will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 882.87 crore and is expected to be completed by 2028.
The event is being designed to echo the scale and sanctity of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Organisers have arranged for soil from 21 pilgrimage sites and water from 31 rivers across India to be brought to the temple site. A silver urn from Jaipur and the sacred ‘Sankalp Snan’ ritual—using water from 11 holy rivers including the Ganges—will be part of the spiritual proceedings.
In addition, 50,000 packets of laddus, modelled on the Tirupati Balaji tradition, are being prepared with the help of artisans from South India. The ceremony will include Vedic chants and rituals, with the attendance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, state ministers, central representatives, saints, and thousands of devotees. The Bihar tourism department is working in full swing to ensure the event is both memorable and seamless.
Punauradham, widely regarded as the birthplace of Sita, holds deep significance in the cultural landscape of Mithila. The upcoming temple is set to become a major hub of religious tourism and regional pride.
According to the plans, the temple complex will house:
- The main shrine dedicated to Sita
- Sita Vatika and Lavkush Vatika
- A bhajan and yagya mandap
- A museum and auditorium
- Cafeteria and children’s play area
- Dharamshala, guest houses and dormitories
- E-cart stations and ample parking
- Mithila Haat and a cultural exhibition site
A dedicated digital exhibit within the temple grounds will showcase historical accounts, religious lore, and archaeological evidence linked to the life of Sita, aimed at enhancing the understanding of pilgrims and tourists alike.
