Magadha Shakthi Peeth is the place where Devi Satis Right Thigh fell. Here Devi is worshipped as Sarvanandakari and Lord Shiva as Vyomkesha. It is also believed that Devi Satis pat? fell at Patna and the Devi is called as Choti Patan Devi.
Shrine’s History
According to one puranic reference, the right thigh of Devi Sati fell near Maharajganj and the cloth fell at Chowk from which three small deities goddess Maa MahaKali, Maa Mahalakshmi and Maa Mahasaraswati emerged. The names of goddess Bari Patan Devi and Choti Patan Devi are derived from the word Pat? (clothes) which fell at Maharajganj and Chowk. The goddess is said to be the guarding deities who protected the founder of Pataliputra- Putraka*. A stone image was found in a tank near the temple which is kept in the eastern veranda of the temple and is worshipped as a goddess. *Putraka was a mythological king who created the city by a magic stroke for his queen Patali, meaning Trumpet flower?, which gives the ancient city its name of Pataligram. In honour of the first born to the queen, the city was named as Pataliputra.
Architectural Relevance of This Shrine
The Bari Patan Devi and Choti Patan Devi temples are ancient temples. They are rebuilt from time to time. The temple architecture is in Brahmanical style with liberal use of marble and mosaic stones. The Bari Patan Devi temple faces the north. At the entrance of the temple is a portico leading to the sanctum where the images of goddess Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are in a standing position on a pedestal. The deities are carved out of black stone. All the three deities are dressed in a sari with a mukut(Kirit) crown adorning the head. Choti Patan Devi temple faces the south-east direction. This temple also has the same goddess as in Bari Patan Devi temple. There is also a big statue of the Sun god, broken into two parts located at the northern compound side of the Choti Patan Devi temple. There are images of other gods and goddess in the western compound of the temple complex. There is also an image of Devi Parvati made out of black stone in a standing position, in the temple complex. The image of Devi Parvati is believed to be 100 years old. There is also a temple of Lord Shiva built in 1950 to the right side of Devi Parvati statue.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Several deluxe bus services are available to Patna and they are worth trying if you are not getting a reservation in the train.
By Rail
Direct trains are available to Patna Railway station and various trains ply directly from Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai to here.
By Air
The nearest airport is in the Loknayak Jayaprakash Airport in Patna, and national flights are available till here. For international flights, Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport in Gaya is the nearest location. But it is advisable to have the taxi or your own mode of transportation when you are coming to Patna from an airport.
Shrine Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 a.m to 10.00 p.m.
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Navaratri during Ashwija masa (Sep- Oct) is celebrated with great fervour. During Saptami, Durga Ashtami and Mahanavami, people throng in large numbers to the temples to offer prayers to the deities. A fair is also held on Vijayadashmi. Devotees offer saris, sweets, flowers and fruits to the deities. Goats and pigeons are also offered to the deities on special days.
