History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Patan Devi Mandir, Patan, Bihar, India
Patan Devi, also known as Maa Patneshwari, is one of Patna's oldest and most venerated temples. It is designated one of 51 Siddha Shakti Pithas of goddess Shakti. According to Puranic Legends the 'right thigh' of Devi Sati's body fell here, according to Puranic tales, after Lord Vishnu sheared it off with his 'Sudarshan Chakra.' The goddess Durga is said to reside at the old temple, which was formerly known as Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari is believed to be the abode of the Goddess Durga. The name of the city Patna is widely believed to have been derived from the name of the Bari Patan Devi Temple. Patan Devi is an ancient historical and most sacred temples of Patna. The temple comprises into two temples, Bari Patan Devi Temple and Chhoti Patan Devi Temple. The temple enshrines the black stone idols of Goddess Kali, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati and Bhairav in a standing posture. The Bari Patan Devi temple, facing in the North, towards Ganga River. The statues of the temple are all made up in black stone. Patan Devi Temple is a magnificent temple. Unfathomable Well is an ancient well and archaeological site in Patna. It is said to date back to the period of Mauryan emperor, Ashoka. Circular in shape, the well is lined with brick in the upper 43 feet and contains wooden rings in the remaining 62 feet. The kali mandir at Darbhanga house happens to be one of the oldest in the city. It is said that the prayers are answered here.
The current temple does not appear to be particularly old. According to Buchanan, the images inside the temple were erected by Man Singh, the famed Mughal emperor Akbar's general. The temple, on the other hand, holds a number of Brahmanical statues, both entire and severed, including Ganesh, Vishnu, and Surya. Within the temple's confines, open remains of door lintels and still another group of images can be found. The most notable of these is an outstanding, but shattered sun-image. Many historians believe that an early mediaeval temple was built here between the 9th and 11th centuries A.D., and that these fragmentary stray sculptural/structural relics are just the ruins of that temple. These were most likely restored in a new temple erected by Man Singh in the 16th-17th centuries. However, reliable information on this subject is scarce.
According to Hindu legend, Prajapati Daksha once conducted Brihaspati Yajna and invited every god but Shiva, his own son-in-law, to his Yajna. Sati, Lord Shiva's wife, went to her father's house after learning that her husband had not been invited to his Yajna. Sati was embarrassed when she saw there was no seat reserved for her spouse and decided to terminate her life. Lord Shiva was enraged and saddened by this, so he placed her lifeless body on his shoulder and began performing the tandava dance around the Triloka (three worlds). The Gods were terrified and pleaded with Lord Vishnu to intercede. Vishnu skillfully followed Shiva's dancing and began chopping up Sati's dead body with his Chakra. The spots where the major limbs of Sati's body fell became Mahapithas. Upapithas were named for the sites where the smaller limbs fell. According to legend, a chunk of Devi Sati's right thigh fell in Magadh, and the rest of her body fell in the Maharajganj and Chowk sections of Old Patna city. The Badi Patan Devi temple and the Chhoti Patan Devi temple were built in these locations. The Goddess Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati are shown in miniature representations at Patna's Bari Patan Devi Temple, according to Tantra Charumani. These Goddesses guarded Putraka, the founder of Pataliputra, according to Hindu mythology. In a tank near Patna's Bari Patan Devi Temple, a bizarre stone image was discovered. That figure has been retained in the main temple's eastern veranda, where this stone is often worshipped.
Devotees are welcome to visit the temple at any time of day. The temple is open to all religions and castes because it makes no distinction between castes or creeds. Tuesday is a great day for believers, and the temple is packed with worshipers. Devotees make promises to the Goddess, and if their desires are granted, they bring gifts and sarees to the temple.
This temple practices two types of pujas and rites. One is the traditional Vedic Puja, which includes traditional rites, Mantras, and Aarti. The Tantrik puja is the second type of puja. This is done every day for ten minutes, and devotees are not allowed inside during this time. Patan Devi Temple is a major Tantrik and Shakti Upasana centre. Aside from that, every Thursday there is a Shringar Puja. The temple celebrates both Navratri’s (Aaso and Chaitra) with zest and excitement. Devotees have high hopes for this temple, believing that their prayers will be accomplished. Newlywed couples and newborn children are also brought to Patan Devi Temple for blessings.
A mela is held around these temples during Vijayadashmi, as it is in many other areas. During the mela, roughly 600 people gather to offer prayers at one of the two temples on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami (Durga Puja). Sweets, garlands, and fruits are commonly brought to gift to the gods. The temple priest takes a portion of the prasad and gives the rest to the devotees. He writes Rori on their foreheads (red powder). As dakshina, the worshippers also pay money to the priest. The deity is bathed daily in the morning and evening, followed by prasad (fruits and sweetmeats, etc.) offerings and aarti, which includes the priest's traditional recitation of hymns accompanied by the ringing of bells.
How to Reach Patan Devi Temple, One of the Oldest City and Capital of Bihar, India
Patna being capital and largest city of Bihar where people across the world visits around the year. It is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Patna has major railway junction from where you can get train to almost all region of India. Patna has international airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India and across the globe. You can find private taxi and public transport as well from both airport to reach to city area. Patna is located at just 115 km from Gaya, 127 km from Bodh Gaya, 53 km from Aarah, 250 km from Ranchi, 138 km from Darbhanga, 257 km from Varanasi. You can get direct buses from Varanasi, Gaya, Ranchi etc. to reach Patna.
