Bihar CM: Grand Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham by Dec 2028
Synopsis
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a grand Maa Janaki temple at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi by 31 December 2028, with comprehensive site development aimed at boosting Bihar's religious and spiritual tourism.
Key Takeaways
CM Nitish Kumar has announced construction of a grand temple at Punaura Dham , Sitamarhi, dedicated to Maa Janaki (Sita).
The temple and idol installation is targeted for completion by 31 December 2028 .
The Bihar government is pursuing 'comprehensive development' of Punaura Dham to improve pilgrim facilities.
The project is part of Bihar's broader Ramayana circuit development initiative.
Punaura Dham is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Sita in Hindu tradition, located in Sitamarhi district .
A deadline has been set, a deity named, and a sacred site in Bihar is about to be transformed. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that a grand temple dedicated to Maa Janaki — the goddess Sita — will be constructed and her idol installed at Punaura Dham by 31 December 2028, with the state government pledging comprehensive development of the religious site to serve pilgrims and elevate Bihar's spiritual tourism footprint.
What Nitish Kumar announced at Punaura Dham
The Chief Minister's Office of Bihar shared the announcement on 8 August 2026, quoting CM Nitish Kumar directly: '31 dिसंबर 2028 तक पुनौराधाम में भव्य मंदिर का निर्माण कर मां जानकी की प्रतिमा की स्थापना की जाएगी' — ['By 31 December 2028, a grand temple will be constructed at Punaura Dham and the idol of Maa Janaki will be installed.']. The statement also confirmed that the 'overall development of Punaura Dham is being given new momentum,' promising better facilities for devotees and a fresh identity for religious and spiritual tourism.
Why Punaura Dham carries such weight
Punaura Dham, located in Sitamarhi district of Bihar, is revered in Hindu tradition as the birthplace of Sita — the central female figure of the Ramayana epic and worshipped across the subcontinent as Maa Janaki. For millions of pilgrims, this is not merely a heritage site; it is sacred ground. A grand temple here would anchor the site as a major node on India's expanding Ramayana pilgrimage circuit.
Bihar's Ramayana circuit ambition
The announcement fits squarely within a broader Bihar government push to develop locations tied to the Ramayana alongside the state's established Buddhist heritage trail. Indian states have increasingly invested in mythological and religious site development as a lever for domestic tourism growth, and Bihar — home to both Bodh Gaya and Sitamarhi — has positioned itself as a multi-faith pilgrimage destination. A fully developed Punaura Dham would draw devotees who already travel to Ayodhya, Chitrakoot, and Rameswaram on Ramayana-linked journeys.
The 2028 deadline sets a clear political and administrative clock. Construction timelines, funding allocations, and any coordination with central government schemes for heritage tourism will now be closely watched as the project moves from announcement to ground reality.
Bihar's most sacred daughter is getting a home worthy of her legend — and the state has put a date on it.
Point of View
Complementing the post-Ayodhya consecration surge in Hindu religious tourism across India. By attaching a firm 2028 deadline, the Chief Minister converts a cultural aspiration into an accountable infrastructure target — one that will be tested by construction progress and funding flows. The project also signals Bihar's intent to compete for the pilgrim economy that states like Uttar Pradesh have aggressively cultivated. Whether central-state coordination materialises for this site will be a telling indicator of how seriously the Ramayana circuit is being prioritised at the national level.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Punaura Dham located?
Punaura Dham is located in Sitamarhi district , Bihar. It is traditionally regarded in Hindu belief as the birthplace of Sita, also known as Maa Janaki.
When will the Maa Janaki temple at Punaura Dham be completed?
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced that the grand temple and the installation of Maa Janaki's idol will be completed by 31 December 2028 .
What is the Ramayana circuit in Bihar?
The Ramayana circuit is a Bihar government initiative to develop and link religious and heritage sites associated with the Ramayana epic, including Sitamarhi, to promote pilgrim tourism across the state.
What development is planned at Punaura Dham besides the temple?
The Bihar government has announced comprehensive development of Punaura Dham to provide better facilities for pilgrims and give religious and spiritual tourism in the region a stronger identity.
