Bihar News: Govt Sets Up 9-Member Trust to Build Grand Maa Janaki Temple at Punaura Dham

The Bihar government has formed a trust to oversee the construction of a grand temple at Punaura Dham, enhancing tourism and fulfilling local aspirations. Chief Secretary will lead the trust, which aims to develop the site significantly.

The Bihar government on Thursday forms a "Trust" headed by state's Chief Secretary for the construction and redevelopment of Maa Janaki's grand temple at Punaura Dham, the birthplace of Goddess Sita, in Sitamarhi district.

A grand temple would be built at Punaura Dham on the lines of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya. The trust titled "Shree Janaki Janm Bhumi Punaura Dham Mandir Nyas Samiti" at Punaura village in Sitamarhi district, as per the gazette notification issued by the law department. The Trust will come into effect with immediate effect.

State's Chief Secretary will be the Trust's Chairman while Development Commissioner will be Vice-Chairman and District Magistrate and Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), Sitamarhi will be Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Besides there will be five other members of the Trust that included- Mahanth, Punaura Dham, Mutt, Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary of three departments of tourism, road construction and urban development and housing will be the members and Divisional Commissioner, Tirhut Division will also be the member. The bank account of the trust will be operated by the Secretary and Treasurer.

It may be noted that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday last (June 22, 2025) unveiled the final design of the Janaki temple. While sharing the news on social media, the CM had said that "It gives me immense pleasure to announce that the design for the comprehensive development of Punaura Dham, Sitmarhi that includes construction of grand temple and other structures is now complete which I am sharing with you. A trust has also been constituted to expedite the construction work".

The construction of grand temple would not only fulfil the people's wish but would also help promote tourism in the state. The CM had announced during the Pragati Yatra for integrated development of the religious place. A total of 17 acres of land was available at Punaura Dham temple premises besides the process is currently underway to acquire 50 acres of additional land to develop the place on a grand scale.