Bihar government minister Nandkishore Ram on Wednesday, 26 August performed the Griha Pravesh ceremony at his newly allotted official residence at 10 Circular Road, Patna — one of the most politically storied addresses in the state. The event, conducted with full Vedic rites, drew supporters, religious leaders, and well-wishers to the bungalow that has long been synonymous with Bihar's opposition politics.

The Ceremony and Its Significance

The Griha Pravesh followed traditional protocols, including prayers, a havan, and mantra chanting. Before formally entering the residence, Ram completed the prescribed rituals and havan. After the religious proceedings, he distributed prasad among attendees and reiterated his commitment to addressing public grievances.

On the occasion, Ram named the bungalow 'Mata Shabari Seva Sadan', invoking the revered figure from the Ramayana as a symbol of devotion and selfless service. He said the residence would function not merely as an official address but as a centre for helping poor, disadvantaged, and marginalised citizens.

What the Minister Said

'Mata Shabari's life symbolises devotion, dedication and service,' Ram said, adding that he would seek to carry these ideals into his public duties. He stated that his priority, inspired by Mata Shabari's example, would be to ensure government welfare and development schemes reach the poorest and most marginalised sections of society.

The Political Weight of 10 Circular Road

The bungalow carries considerable political significance in Bihar. It was previously allotted to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi and had served as a hub of opposition politics for nearly two decades. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) National President Lalu Prasad Yadav and RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav had also resided there until the residence was vacated following the state government's recent housing reallocation exercise under the Samrat Choudhary government.

Notably, the reallocation of this address — from the family at the centre of RJD's political identity to a minister of the ruling dispensation — is being read in political circles as more than a routine administrative reshuffle.

Background: The Reallocation Exercise

Following the Bihar government's housing reallocation drive, 10 Circular Road was vacated and subsequently allotted to Ram. Preparations for beautification and a Navagraha Puja began shortly after the allotment, ahead of Wednesday's formal ceremony.

With the Griha Pravesh now complete, the address that defined opposition Bihar for two decades enters a new chapter — one that Ram has explicitly framed around welfare and public service.