Shah, CM to lay stone for grand Sita temple today
Amit Shah
, accompanied by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, will lay the foundation stone for the Maa Sita temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi on Friday, in a ceremony infused with religious symbolism and political significance.
Sacred water from 112 rivers, including the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and soil from 36 revered sites across India have been brought to mark the occasion, which will be conducted between 2pm and 3.15pm.
"Water from the oceans and rivers and soil from pilgrim sites have arrived. The rituals will be led by six acharyas from Kashi, Darbhanga and other cities," said Mahant Manmohan Ji, assistant to the chief priest of the Punaura Dham temple.
Hundreds of saints and seers from Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Mathura, Janakpur and Varanasi are expected to attend. Shah is likely to interact with them after the ceremony and address a public gathering.
Preparations are on in full swing. The event is considered politically important with assembly elections just months away. Nitish had earlier sanctioned Rs 72 crore for the temple premises in 2023, before returning to the NDA fold ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
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The new NDA govt has now sanctioned Rs 882 crore for the complete project, targeted for completion by 2028.
T
he temple, designed by Ayodhya Ram Mandir architect Chandrakant Sompura, will rise 151 feet and occupy over 67 acres with tree-lined walkways and ample green space. It will also include Sita Vatika, Luv-Kush Vatika, an exhibition hall, Vedic school, museum, guesthouses, parking areas and cultural spaces.
"This holistic development of Punaura Dham will boost religious tourism and create employment for local youth," said deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. "The Ramayana circuit being built with central and state support will enrich Bihar's cultural identity," he added.
Religious trusts and local bodies have made lodging arrangements for attendees. Kalash from Jaipur and ladoo makers from Kolkata have arrived while Sitamarhi MP Devesh Chandra Thakur is overseeing hospitality for visiting saints, including several from Nepal.
"Sitamarhi was once part of King Janak's kingdom. For Janakpur residents, this is deeply emotional," said a pilgrim. Punaura Dham is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita and is part of the Centre's Ram-Janaki Marg project connecting it to Ayodhya.
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