By Kavya sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, April 25, 2026: Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday inaugurated the grand Janaki Mahotsav at Punaura Dham in Sitamarhi on the occasion of Janaki Navami, making key announcements aimed at boosting regional development.
Addressing a large gathering of devotees and locals, the Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced that the under-construction medical college in Sitamarhi will be named “Maa Sita Medical College.”
The announcement was met with loud applause from the audience.
Speaking on the occasion, he said he felt privileged to be present on the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita and attributed his rise to the Chief Minister’s post to her blessings.
Samrat Choudhary is focusing on religious tourism:
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to developing Sitamarhi as a major religious and tourism hub, emphasizing improved infrastructure and facilities for pilgrims.
The city witnessed a festive atmosphere during Janaki Navami, with multiple religious and cultural events held across the region.
Connectivity boost through rail & road projects:
In a major infrastructure push, the Centre, led by Narendra Modi, had earlier approved a 256-km railway line doubling project connecting Punaura Dham (Sitamarhi)—believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita—with Ayodha, the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs 4,563 crore.
The objective of the project is to strengthen pilgrimage connectivity under the Ramayana Circuit.
The proposal was strongly backed by former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had written to the Prime Minister in 2024 seeking improved connectivity between the two sacred sites.
The Bihar government has also initiated the acquisition of 50 acres of land near Punaura Dham for tourism infrastructure, the development of better amenities for pilgrims, and the construction of a high-quality national highway linking Sitamarhi with Ayodhya.
These efforts are part of a broader plan to strengthen the Ramayana Circuit, connecting key religious sites associated with Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
Significance of Punaura Dham:
Punaura Dham holds immense religious importance as the birthplace of Goddess Sita (Janaki) and is a prominent destination for devotees visiting the Ramayana Circuit.
With ongoing infrastructure upgrades, the site is expected to emerge as a major pilgrimage and tourism hub in the coming years.
EOM.
