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Bihar temples, with their ancient roots and deep spiritual importance, are magnificent monuments that seamlessly blend spirituality and heritage. Bihar, a state known for its rich cultural and historical roots, has some of India’s most venerated and architecturally spectacular temples. From the ancient Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment, to the beautifully constructed temples of Nalanda and Rajgir, each temple offers a unique glimpse into Bihar’s spiritual heritage. There is so much to explore in the majestic temples in Bihar where ancient traditions and architectural marvels combine to create a truly enriching experience.
10 Bihar Temples
Every temple in the state holds some sort of religious and historic importance but these 10 are the most important Bihar temples.
1. Mahavir Mandir
Photo: Sourav Debnath / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
The Mahavir Mandir is a Hindu temple devoted to the god Hanuman in Patna, Bihar, India. One of the most popular temples in Bihar, millions of pilgrims visit this temple each year. Acharya Kishore Kunal is currently the secretary of the Patna-based Mahavir Mandir Temple Trust. Swami Balanand constructed this temple around 1730 CE. This temple gained popularity in 1947 when a large number of Hindu refugees migrated to Patna following India’s partition. The temple was then reconstructed as a concrete residence before being razed in 1987.
Timings: 5:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Location: Patna, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: Saturdays and Tuesdays, the traditional worshipping days of Hanuman
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2. Shyama Mai Temple
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In Darbhanga, Bihar, Mother Kali’s Dham Shyama Kali shrine was constructed over a king’s pyre. All Manglik works are done and a large number of devotees visit this place. Another name for this temple is Shyama Mai’s Temple. Built on the cremation pyre of Maharaja Rameshwar Singh at the Ghat crematorium, Shyama Mai’s temple is a unique phenomenon in itself. Mother Kali is worshipped in this temple using both Tantric and Vedic practices. It is one of the best temples in Bihar.
Timings: 4 AM – 1 PM, 3 PM – 11 PM
Location: Darbhanga, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: During Navratri, which takes place during October and November
3. Mangala Gauri Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Numerous scriptures and tantric writings contain descriptions of the Mangla Gauri temple in Shakti Peetham, Gaya, Bihar, India. These include the Padma Purana, Vayu Purana, Agni Purana, Devi Bhagavata Purana, and Markandeya Purana. One among the eighteen maha shaktipeeth is this temple. The present-day temple was built in the fifteenth century. It is one of the oldest temples in Bihar. Sati is honoured at the temple. Built atop Mangalagauri hill, the shrine faces eastward. It’s accessible via roadway and a flight of steps.
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
Location: Gaya, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: During Navratri, which takes place between October & November
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4. Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi Temple, one of the biggest temples in Bihar, is among the most sacred places in Buddhism. The spot of the Buddha’s Enlightenment (Bodhi) is believed to be there. For over two thousand years, the temple has been regarded as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site. This temple is one of India’s first brick temples. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka built the first building, which was later replaced. However, a few components of the temple date back many years before the Mauryan dynasty.
Timings: 7 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Gaya, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: During Buddha Jayanti, which is normally held in April or May
5. Thawe Durga Mandir
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Maa Shakti has various names and forms. Devotees worship her by several names and forms, including Maa Thawewali. There are 52 ‘Shaktipeethas’ in India, and this location is also a Shaktipitha. Devotees worship the deity with ‘Laddo’, ‘Peda’, ‘Narial’, and ‘Chunari’ in the morning and in the evening (depending on the season). The temple was established by King Manan Singh of the Chero dynasty.
Timings: 5 AM – 7 PM
Location: Thawe in Gopalganj District
Best Time To Visit: Monday and Friday
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6. Mundeshwari Temple
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The Mundeshwari Devi Temple (also spelled Mundesvari) is a Hindu temple, protected and supervised by the Archaeological Survey of India since 1915. It is an ancient temple that is said to be dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and the god Shiva. It is the world’s oldest functioning Hindu temple. The temple is built of stone and has a unique octagonal plan. It is the earliest example of Nagara-style temple design in Bihar.
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Location: Ramgarh Village on the Mundeshwari Hills
Best Time To Visit: During the festivals of Navratri & Maha Shivaratri
7. Chandika Asthan
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It is one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas, or places of worship dedicated to the goddess Shakti. As a Siddhi-Peetha, Chandika Sthan is regarded as one of the most valuable and consecrated temples, equal to the Kamakshya temple near Guwahati. The Chandika Sthan Temple is believed to be a Shakti Peetha. The Shaktipeetha temple’s creation tale tells that when Shiva carried Sati Devi’s corpse her left eye had fallen here.
Timings: 5 AM – 6 PM
Location: Munger, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: During Navratri, between October and November
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8. Shitala Mata Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
This is a location to worship Mata Durga, also known as Maa Durga’s Shakti Peeth. The temple has a lower height, but the idols are ancient. It is said that worshipping here with a heart can cure incurable diseases. It houses Shitala Devi’s picture as well as the pindas of the ‘Saptamatrikas’ (seven mother forms). It is greatly adored and worshipped for its ability to heal smallpox and fulfil a variety of other wants. The location formerly housed multiple ancient Mauryan sculptures and arts.
Timings: 24*7
Location: Patna, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: In the month of Chaitra (April) during Shitla Puja
9. Patan Devi Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Patan Devi, also known as Maa Patneshwari, is the oldest and most sacred shrine in Patna, Bihar. It is recognized as one of India’s 51 Siddha Shaktipeethas. According to Puranic accounts, the ‘right thigh’ of Devi Sati’s corpse fell here when Lord Vishnu sliced it off with his ‘Sudarshan Chakra’. The ancient temple, originally known as Maa Sarvanand Kari Patneshwari, is believed to be the home of the goddess Durga.
Timings: 7 AM – 1 PM, 4 PM – 9 PM
Location: Patna, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: November during Durga Puja
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10. Budhimai Devi Temple
Photo: Sonika Agarwal / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Budhimai Temple is a prominent Hindu temple in Bihiya, a town in Bihar’s Bhojpur district. This temple, dedicated to Goddess Budhimai, an avatar of Goddess Durga, is a popular spiritual destination for devotees seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and protection. The temple’s ancient history along with its cultural importance make it a popular pilgrimage destination in the region. During festivals such as Navratri, hundreds of devotees flock to the temple to offer prayers and engage in traditions passed down through the generations.
Timings: 24*7
Location: Bihiya, Bihar
Best Time To Visit: November during Durga Puja
The ancient Bihar temples are more than just places of worship; they are living monuments of the state’s rich spiritual and cultural legacy. Each temple, with its unique history and architectural grandeur, gives a strong link to the past while also encouraging the present. Plan your vacation with TripXL to experience the timeless beauty and deep faith of these sacred locations.
Cover Photo: Sourav Debnath / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
