Patan Devi Temple stands in Patna, Bihar, is a shrine to Goddess Durga, worshipped as Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. It is also known as Maa Patneshwari, Patneshwari Devi Temple.
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India and one of the oldest and most revered temples in Patna; the city's name is popularly believed to derive from Patan Devi According to Hindu mythology, the right thigh of Devi Sati fell here after Lord Vishnu severed her body with his Sudarshan Chakra.
Bihar carries a distinct temple identity of its own: From Patna's mighty Hanuman shrine to the Kaimur hills' Mundeshwari, believed to be among the oldest functioning temples in the world.
Darshan hours and daily worship
| Session | Timing (as published) |
|---|---|
| Morning | 5:30 AM |
| Evening | 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
Closing time varies slightly between sources (9 PM to 10 PM)
Poojas and daily rituals
Daily bathing and prasad offering rituals with aarti accompanied by hymns, conches and bells; a special Shringar Puja is performed every Thursday
Festivals and special-day timings
Regular darshan hours are usually extended, or set aside entirely, on these dates.
| Festival | Period | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Navratri | Chaitra and Ashwin (March-April and September-October) | Major fair and increased visitation during Saptami, Ashtami and Navami |
History and architecture
Architecture
Comprises two adjoining shrines, Bari Patan Devi (the larger, primary temple) and Chhoti Patan Devi (the smaller temple in the Chowk area); Bari Patan Devi houses black stone images of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati along with Bhairav on raised thrones within an 8 by 8 foot sanctum, with a large entrance portico
History
According to Hindu mythology, the right thigh of Devi Sati fell here after Lord Vishnu severed her body with his Sudarshan Chakra. Chhoti Patan Devi is believed to have historically been the main presiding shrine before Bari Patan Devi gained prominence; the smaller temple contains images said to have been installed under Raja Man Singh, a general of Akbar, in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located in Patna city, about 10 km from Patna Junction railway station, accessible via rickshaws and taxis
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Historical dates (9th century founding, 16th century rebuilding by Man Singh) are drawn from travel/aggregator sources rather than an academic reference, so treat as approximate