The Bihar Cabinet has given its approval to acquire 50 acres of land for the redevelopment of Sitamarhi’s Punaura Dham Temple, as confirmed by state tourism department officials. The proposal, forwarded by the tourism department, aims to enhance the infrastructure of the revered site, also known as Maa Janaki Janmabhoomi Temple, believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Sita.
This decision has sparked controversy, with officials from the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust claiming that the tourism department overstepped its jurisdiction by presenting the proposal to the state government. The proposed acquisition of 50 acres supplements the 16.63 acres previously acquired by the Bihar government for the redevelopment of the temple premises’ surrounding area.
Situated in Punaura village of Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, Punaura Dham Temple holds significant religious importance, as it is associated with the birth of Sita. Adjacent to the temple lies Janaki Kund, a sacred lake steeped in mythology.
Sitamarhi’s inclusion in the Ramayana circuit, a selection of 15 pivotal locations from the epic Ramayana identified by the Central government for tourism development, further underscores the area’s cultural and historical significance. This initiative aims to bolster religious tourism and promote pilgrimage to sites associated with Hindu mythology.