Patna with Chandika Sthan Yatra

Highlights & Route

Patna is best known to pilgrims as the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, and Takht Sri Patna Sahib is the obvious reason to come. But the old city of Pataliputra also holds two Shakti shrines of its own, the Mahavir Mandir beside the railway station that draws lakhs of Hanuman devotees, and a riverside Buddhist park that remembers the Buddha’s long association with the region. This yatra puts all of that into two unhurried days and adds a two-night excursion to Munger, 180 km downriver.

Munger is a small Ganga-side town that most tourists pass by, yet it is home to Chandika Sthan, counted among the 51 Shakti Peeths as the place where Sati’s left eye fell. The shrine stands about 2 km north-east of the town in the Basudevpur area, and local tradition links it to Karna of the Mahabharata, who is said to have worshipped the goddess here every day. The temple is small and the darshan personal, which is a large part of its charm; Navratri is the busiest time of year.

The programme is built for families and older yatris: one long drive each way with a halt in between, private vehicle throughout, and evenings free in both towns. Sikh, Vaishnav and Shakta places of worship sit side by side in the plan, and everyone is welcome at each of them.

Route

Patna → Munger (Chandika Sthan, Kastaharni Ghat) → Patna (Takht Sri Patna Sahib, Mahavir Mandir, Patan Devi, Buddha Smriti Park, Golghar) → Patna

Good to know before you book

• Price is on request and depends on the number of travellers and the hotel category you prefer; quotes are per person on twin-sharing.
• Patna–Munger is about 180 km and takes 4 to 5 hours by road depending on traffic at the Ganga bridges.
• At Takht Sri Patna Sahib, heads must be covered and shoes removed; scarves are available at the entrance. Langar is served to all visitors.
• Chandika Sthan has no entry fee. Museum and Golghar tickets in Patna are paid directly.
• October to March is the comfortable season for Bihar; April to June is very hot. Navratri brings heavy crowds at Chandika Sthan.
• Meals are pure vegetarian breakfast and dinner at the hotels.

Darshan, puja and timing notes

Chandika Sthan opens early in the morning and stays open into the evening, with aarti at dawn and dusk. We plan darshan for the morning of Day 2, when the shrine is quiet. Takht Sri Patna Sahib is open from before dawn to late night, with Asa di Vaar kirtan in the early morning and Rehras Sahib at sunset.

• Chandika Sthan: devotees believe worship here relieves eye ailments, since the shrine marks where Sati’s left eye fell. Many take home kajal prepared at the temple. A seated puja can be arranged with the priests.
• Takht Sri Patna Sahib: cover your head, remove shoes, wash hands and feet at the entrance; tobacco is strictly forbidden. Everyone is welcome at langar.
• Patan Devi: both Badi and Chhoti Patan Devi are worshipped as Shakti shrines; Tuesday and Saturday mornings are busy.
• Mahavir Mandir: the naivedyam laddoo prasad is sold at the counter inside; Tuesdays and Saturdays draw very long queues.

Festivals to plan around: Sharad Navratri (beginning around 1 October 2027) is the busiest time at Chandika Sthan and Patan Devi. The Prakash Purab of Guru Gobind Singh, held in December or January by the lunar calendar, brings sangat from across the world to Patna Sahib, with tent cities and heavy traffic. Chhath (early November) fills every ghat and train in Bihar; in 2027 it falls around 4 November. October to March is the comfortable season.

Is this yatra right for you?

This is a plains yatra with no climbs and only short walks, so it suits senior citizens and children. The effort is the two long road days to and from Munger, each 4 to 5 hours; we stop for tea and rest. It works well for Shakta families who want a lesser-known Shakti Peeth, for Sikh families visiting Patna Sahib with a day for other shrines, and for mixed groups who want both.

If your main aim is the Takhts, our Panj Takht Yatra (3N/4D from Delhi) covers Damdama Sahib, Akal Takht and Keshgarh Sahib in Punjab, and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib is part of our Aurangabad Nanded Yatra. If you want Sita’s birthplace and the Mithila shrines, see the Bihar Ramayana Yatra (5N/6D from Patna). To change the start city or add a night in Munger, use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us (numbers on our Contact page).

Getting there and nearby tirthas

Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan airport and Patna junction are the arrival points; Munger junction is on the Jamalpur line for those coming by train. From Munger, Sultanganj (about 60 km), where Kanwariyas collect Ganga jal for Baidyanath Dham in Sawan, makes an easy extra stop on the return. In Patna, Gurdwara Gai Ghat and Gurdwara Bal Lila, linked to Guru Gobind Singh’s childhood, are close to the Takht. All our Takht programmes are under Panj Takht yatras, and Goddess yatras under Shakti Peeth yatras.