Patna: CM Samrat Choudhary on Saturday said the construction of Maa Janaki temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi district would be completed by Dec 31, 2028.Chairing a meeting to review the construction of Punaura Dham temple and developmental works of the entire area in Sitamarhi district, Samrat also said the proposed new township near Sitamarhi would be called ‘Sitapuram’. The review meeting was held at the Punaura Dham temple complex.During the review, the CM asked officials to ensure completion of Mata Janaki temple by Dec 31, 2028, under all circumstances. “The temple construction work should be carried out in a better manner and full attention should be paid to it,” he said.He also said all places associated with the life of Mata Sita should be connected to Punaura Dham, so that devotees visiting there can stay for a few days and explore and have darshan.During the meeting, district magistrate Richi Pandey informed Samrat soil testing and survey work have been completed, while barricading work is in progress. The ‘Garbha Griha’ and ‘Kund’ of the Punaura Dham temple complex will also be developed, she said.Samrat also said one of the first Cabinet decisions of his govt was to build Sitapuram township, as announced by Nitish Kumar.Later, the CM inaugurated ‘Sitamarhi Mahotsav-2026’ at Punaura Dham on the occasion of Janaki Navami by lighting a lamp.Speaking on the occasion, Samrat said, “When Maa Janaki was born, there was heavy rainfall in this area, and when the Bhoomi Pujan took place, it continued to rain incessantly. Former CM Nitish Kumar Ji had decided to build a state-of-the-art hospital here and the construction work of the hospital is underway. This hospital will be named ‘Maa Sita Medical College’.”The CM also participated in the ‘Shila Pujan’ ceremony organised for the renovation of the ancient Shri Ram Janaki Math located at Raghopur Bakhri in Dumra block of Sitamarhi district. He attended the ceremony organised by the Ramayana Research Council and offered prayers at the ‘Garbha Griha’ of Shri Ram Janaki Math, praying for the prosperity and well-being of Bihar. During this, the CM also performed ‘Shila Pujan’.Union home minister Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the comprehensive redevelopment of the Maa Janaki temple at Punaura Dham on Aug 8 last year. The project, with an estimated cost of nearly Rs 890 crore, aims to develop the site as a major pilgrimage destination, often described as a counterpart to the Ram temple in Ayodhya.Meanwhile, Janki Janmotsav was celebrated in Sitamarhi with much fanfare and fervour on Saturday with “Shobha Yatra” and “Nishan Yatra” taken out at several places. The town wore a festive look with elaborate decorations and glimpses of Treta Yug, while temples were adorned with flowers and lights. The Rajat Dwar Maa Janki temple in Sitamarhi town and the Punaura Dham temple complex emerged as major attractions for pilgrims, as devotees from across India and Nepal, particularly from Janakpur Dham, gathered to celebrate Janki Navami.(With inputs from Shyam Kishore Singh in Sitamarhi)
