Bihar Yatra

Patan Devi

It is considered to be one of the 52 Shakti Peethas. It is believed that the right thigh and pata and cloth of Maa Sati fell in Magadha, which has been identified as Maharajganj and Chowk area of ​​Patna. Hence two separate temples of Badari Patan Devi and Choti Patan Devi have been built in these areas, also known as Ma Sarvandkari Patneshwari, located east of Patna Railway Junction. There is a popular belief that when the body part of Maa Sati fell here, three goddesses- Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati came into existence, whose idols are kept in the Patan Devi temple. There is another belief that the name 'Patan' is derived from the pata of Sati, which fell here and the temples were named Barhi Patan Devi and Choti Patan Devi. The temple has special significance, as the Shaktis of all the three forms Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahakali are present here in the form of stone idols. Mahant Vijay Shankar Giriji says that although there are three goddesses in Vaishno Devi, they are present there only in the form of bodies, inside the sanctum sanctorum, the black stone idols of the goddess are placed on the throne in a standing posture. Their dress is a sari and a mukut (crown). There is also Vyam Bhairav ​​along with the deities who are said to be the part of Shiva. There is a large havan kunda (4-5 feet deep) right in front of the sanctum sanctorum, where people continuously offer puja materials in its fire and perform religious rituals with vermilion and flowers. A large verandah covers the space in front of the sanctum sanctorum and the havan kunda is located in front of the exit door of this verandah.