Photo: Ayepee99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
📍 Patna, Central Bihar, Bihar
One of the 51 revered Shakti Peethas, where the right thigh of Goddess Sati is believed to have fallen. Located in the Maharajganj area of Old Patna, the temple enshrines three black-stone deities — Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. It is widely held that the very name 'Patna' derives from Patan Devi, making it deeply tied to the city's identity.
The Bari Patan Devi Temple (also called Badi Patan Devi) is one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Patna, counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas of the subcontinent. According to legend, when Lord Vishnu's discus dismembered the body of Sati, her right thigh fell at this spot in ancient Magadh.
The temple faces north towards the Ganga and houses three deities carved in black stone. Along with the nearby Chhoti Patan Devi temple at Chowk, it forms one of the most important goddess pilgrimages in the region, especially thronged during Navratri.
October to March. Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri are the peak festive times.
Historical & Ruins An ancient, unusually deep well believed to date to the Mauryan era and associated in legend with Emperor Ashoka. Its brickandwoodringed shaft descends far below ground and is steeped in folklore. Adjacent stands the popular Shitala Devi temple, making it both an archaeological curiosity and a living place of worship.
Sikh Heritage One of the five Takhts (supreme seats of authority) in Sikhism and the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, born here in 1666. A magnificent white marble Gurudwara draws pilgrims from across the world, especially during Prakash Utsav celebrations. A deeply revered spiritual and historical landmark of Patna City.
Rivers & Ghats Patna's long Ganga waterfront strings together historic ghats where the city meets its river. Gandhi Ghat, famed for its evening Ganga Aarti, marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed. The new JP Ganga Path, Patna's 'Marine Drive', now runs for over 20 km along the river, making the ghats, sunsets and Chhath celebrations easy to enjoy.
Historical & Ruins One of the world's most renowned repositories of Oriental manuscripts, opened to the public in 1891. A National Importance institution, it safeguards thousands of rare Arabic and Persian manuscripts and Mughal and Rajputera miniature paintings, making it a treasure house for scholars and history lovers alike.
