Nitish Kumar visits 5 Patna temples, prays for Bihar's peace and prosperity
Synopsis
Nitish Kumar's Sunday temple circuit across five of Patna's most significant religious sites — including both Patan Devi shrines — was accompanied by a formal JD-U statement emphasising collective welfare over political interest, signalling a deliberate public-outreach moment for the former Bihar Chief Minister.
Key Takeaways
Nitish Kumar visited five temples in Patna on 18 October 2026 , offering prayers for Bihar's peace and prosperity.
Sites included the Sheetla Mata Temple (Agamkuan), Badi and Chhoti Patan Devi Temples , the Kali Temple near Golghar, and the Thakurbari Temple in Gardanibagh.
Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Choudhary and JD-U Deputy Council Leader Lalan Kumar Sarraf accompanied Kumar.
The JD-U stated prayers were focused on collective welfare, not individual or political interest.
Kumar prayed for social harmony , Bihar's development , and happiness for every family in the state.
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) President and former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday, 18 October 2026, visited several prominent temples across Patna, offering prayers for the happiness, peace, prosperity, and well-being of the people of Bihar. The visits, covered by a formal party statement, spanned some of the city's most historically significant religious sites.
Temples Visited
Kumar's itinerary included the Sheetla Mata Temple in Agamkuan, the Badi Patan Devi Temple, and the Chhoti Patan Devi Temple — two of Patna's most revered shrines that draw devotees from across the region. He also offered prayers at the Kali Temple near the Rajendra Memorial, opposite Golghar, and the Thakurbari Temple in Gardanibagh.
What Kumar Prayed For
According to the JD-U statement, Kumar prayed for Bihar's continued development, social harmony, and the welfare of every family in the state. 'He also wished for an atmosphere of peace, mutual understanding and social harmony across Bihar, while praying for happiness and prosperity in the lives of its people,' the party said. The statement underlined that the prayers were centred on collective welfare rather than any individual or political interest.
Who Accompanied Kumar
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Lalan Kumar Sarraf, Deputy Leader of JD-U in the Bihar Legislative Council, were also present during the visits. Their attendance lent the occasion a degree of institutional visibility beyond a routine personal pilgrimage.
Broader Context
The temple visits come as Kumar continues his public engagements following his tenure as the former Bihar Chief Minister, according to the JD-U. Notably, such high-profile religious outreach by senior political figures ahead of public events is a recurring pattern in Bihar politics, where social cohesion and community identity remain key electoral undercurrents. The Patan Devi temples in particular hold considerable religious and cultural significance in the Patna region, making them a symbolically important choice of venue. Kumar extended wishes for a peaceful and prosperous Bihar, expressing hope that the state would continue on the path of progress.
Point of View
And this one is no exception. The JD-U's carefully worded statement — stressing collective welfare over individual interest — reads as a positioning exercise as much as a devotional account. Kumar's continued high-profile public engagements post-tenure suggest the party is keeping his public presence deliberately active. In a state where caste arithmetic and religious symbolism intersect sharply, the choice of five prominent Patna shrines, each with its own community following, is unlikely to be accidental.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which temples did Nitish Kumar visit in Patna on 18 October 2026?
Nitish Kumar visited five temples: the Sheetla Mata Temple in Agamkuan, the Badi Patan Devi Temple, the Chhoti Patan Devi Temple, the Kali Temple near the Rajendra Memorial opposite Golghar, and the Thakurbari Temple in Gardanibagh.
Why did Nitish Kumar visit temples in Patna?
According to a JD-U statement, Kumar offered prayers for Bihar's development, social harmony, and the well-being of every family in the state. The party emphasised the visits were focused on collective welfare rather than any individual or political interest.
Who accompanied Nitish Kumar during the temple visits?
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Lalan Kumar Sarraf, Deputy Leader of JD-U in the Bihar Legislative Council, accompanied Kumar during the visits.
What is the religious significance of the Patan Devi temples in Patna?
The Badi Patan Devi and Chhoti Patan Devi temples are among Patna's most revered religious sites, holding considerable religious and cultural significance in the region and drawing devotees from across Bihar.
What is Nitish Kumar's current role after his tenure as Bihar Chief Minister?
Nitish Kumar currently serves as the President of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U). According to the party, he continues his public engagements across Bihar following his tenure as Chief Minister.
