Mahavir Mandir

Overview

Patna is the capital of the Indian state of Bihar, and one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world. The Buddhist, Hindu and Jain pilgrim centres of Vaishali, Rajgir (or Rajgriha), Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Pawapuri are nearby and Patna is also a sacred city for Sikhs (the tenth and last "human" guru, Guru Gobind Singh, was born here.

Patna is located on the south bank of the Ganges River, called Ganga locally. Patna has a very long riverline, and it is surrounded on three sides by rivers—the Ganga, Sone, and Poonpun (also spelt Punpun). Just to the north of Patna across the river Ganga flows the river Gandak making it a unique place having four largish rivers in its vicinity. It is the largest riverine city in the world. A historical city on the banks of Ganges was nomenclated by princess Sarika, daughter of king Patliputra. The city is approximately 25 km long and 9 km to 10 km wide. The bridge over the river Ganga, named after Mahatma Gandhi, is 5850 m long is said to be the longest single river bridge in the world. The walled old area, called Patna City by the locals, is also a major trading centre. There are 4 rivers in Patna -Ganga, Sone, Gandak and Punpun. Some say that the name Patna comes from sanskrit word “Pattan” which means port. May be the confluence of these 4 rivers served as a port. The 10th Guru of Sikhs- Shri Guru Govind Singh Ji was born here and he has spend early part of his life in Patna. Gautam Buddha passed through Patna through last year of his life.

About the temple

Mahavir Mandir is one of the most visited temple in Patna. It is situated just outside the Patna Junction. It is one of the holiest temple of North India dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Thousands of people pay visit to the temple everyday. It is managed by Mahavir Mandir Trust, which has many charitable institute and hospitals run and managed by it. The temple's earning is one of the highest in India. The temple was declared a public temple by Patna High Court in 1948 , though the temple existed there since long time. The temple went into major renovation between 1983-1985 and marbles were heavily used during renovation.

The temple has three floors, including the ground floor. The ground floor is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, where the main idol is worshiped. The first floor has life size idols of various Gods and Goddesses. On the same floor, the floating stone on water, Ramsetu Shila is on display which is believed to be a part of the stone bridge (Ramsetu) built during Lanka invasion in Ramayana by the monkey army. The third floor is meant for 'Havans' and weddings. It does not have any idol. The ground floor opens up in a big courtyard. It also has a religious book house from where one can buy the religious books. There is also a sweet shop, famous for 'Neivedyam' or ladoos at the ground floor. The temple attracts huge crowd during the festival. On Ramnavami, the queue for worshiping can be many kilometers long. On Tuesday and Saturday also, there is big rush, owing to the traditional worshiping of Lord Hanuman. The trust organizes medical camps, provide medicine and subsidized treatment to poor. The trust operates a super specialty cancer hospital, beside host of other hospitals. The temple has a dedicated website, from where the devotees can have online darshan of the Lord Hanuman. From the second floor of the temple, one can have a wonderful view of the city. On one side, the Patna Junction is there whereas on the opposite side, Buddha Smriti Park is there. The area is heavily crowded and huge traffic. From the top, the all around view is quite good. The Station market, situated beside the temple is famous for the dry food items and common household things. One should visit the temple for devotion, viewing and marketing in nearby areas.

About The Deity

God Hanuman

According to the Indian mythology the Rigvedic God Rudra incarnated himself as Mahavir Hanuman. Lord Brahma, Lord Indra, Lord Surya and other gods bestowed their cosmic power upon him and made him mighty. He as a selfless devotee extended all help to Lord Ram in searching his kidnapped wife and in killing the demon king Ravana, who had made her captive in Lanka. During Dwaper age he provided unlimited strength to the chariot of Arjun by posting himself on its flag. his name is mentioned with great reverence amongst the seven long-lived. Lord Mahavir may vanish our all grieves.

Lord Krisna and Arjun

According to the great epic Mahabharat, warrior Arjun overwhelmed with grief, abandoning his duties of a warrior was retiring from the battlefield, and then Lord Krishna piercing his ignorance delivered a sermon about knowledge in order to remove his sorrow about his kins. This sermon about knowledge inspired Arjun to follow the right path of duty shunning cowardliness. That very sacred preaching by Lord Krishna in the midst of the battlefield of Kuru-Kshetra, where armies of Kauravas and Pandavas had been arrayed against each other, removed all infatuations from the heart and mind of Arjun and he lifted his bow to fight against unjust Kauravas. This learned and sacred speech delivered by Lord Krisna has been incorporated in the great epic Mahabharat as Sri-Mad-Bhagavad-Geeta, which is today the most precious heritage of mankind in the realm of literature. Lord Krisna may inspire us also to follow the right path of the duty.

Goddess Durga

All gods having accumulated all their power and strength created women power for destruction of demons, by providing her their all lethal weapons to wipe out them to establish peace and tranquility on earth and in heaven. She is worshiped as mother of all powers. Mother Durga may do away with our all adversities.

Shiva - Parvati

The worship of Shiva-Linga as the symbol of the beam of lucent of Rigvedic God Rudra and Lord Sankar has been coming in vogue for countless epochs. Lord Shankar is on one hand terrifying, destroyer of creation whereas on the other hand He is propitious Shiva and supreme lord of all medicines as Baidyanath, curer and preserver of life. Lord Shankar may protect us from pre-mature death as also may destroy our all ailments and bless us with all happines

Goddess Parvati

Goddess Parvati is the consort of God Shankar personifying His powers, she is propitious and ever doing goods. Her other name is Gauri, the brilliant. She is the mother of Skand Or Kartikeya, who was deputed as the supreme commander of the army of gods.She is also the mother of Lord Ganesh, who is worshiped as the god of wisdom, good luck, prudence and the remover of obstacles. We offer thousands salutation to the Goddess of marital fortune of womankind.

Legend and stories

The Famous Mahavir Mandir at Patna has unknown origins in History, though some believe that it was originally established by Swami Balanand, an ascetic of Ramanandi sect in around 1730 A.D. The Temple was in the possession of the Gosain Sanyasis till 1948 A.D. In 1948 A.D. it was declared a public temple by Patna High Court. A new, magnificent temple was reconstructed between 1983 and 1985 at the old site at the initiative of Kishore Kunal with devotees’ contribution and now it is one of the most magnificent temples in the country. The entire reconstruction of the temple was carried out on war footing without asking for any subscription. Donations came voluntarily because people had faith in the persons associated with the ‘Kaya-Kalpa’ of the temple. Thousands of devotees participated in the kãr-sewa conducted during the reconstruction of the temple.

Festivals

Biraja Kshetra or modern is regarded as the synthesized cultural centre of Odisha. Apart from general festivals connected with other religious faiths observed throughout Odisha.

Aarati

Aarati of Hanumanji is very popular. It was composed by the great Religious reformer Ramanandacharya. But the prevalent aarati is not the correct comosition of the great dharmacharya.

Schedule of Aarati in Mahavir Mandir

Morning Mid-day Afternoon Evening Night
From Phalguna Purnima to Ashvina Purnima 5:00 A.M. 11:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. 11:00 P.M.
From Ashvina Purnima to Phalguna Purnima 5:00 A.M. 11:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M. 10:30 P.M.
The time of morning Arati varies 4:45 A.M. to 5:15 A.M. as per climate and the time of Sunrise.

Rituals

The temple organizes all vedic and pauranic rituals for all persons irrespective of castes. There is a long queue in the booking for performance of rituals: The following fees are received for Spiritual Services.Physical presence of Yajaman (worshiper) is not necessary for following spiritual offerings. Anyone can send fees as donnation for these offerings.
Note: The fees of some rituals and spiritual services have been revised (amount shown in red color) and some have been started new by the Nyas Samiti in the meeting held on 22nd June, 2013 and are effected from 1st September, 2013. It is probably the only temple in the country where in the performance of rituals even the dakshina to the priests is paid by the temple trust from the charges taken for rituals. Details can be obtained by mail [email protected]. These rituals are performed in a manner which is an improvement on the already established practice. Persons from the lowly born to His Excellency the Governors have participated in such rituals.

Description of rituals done at Mahavir Mandir

Rudra-Abhisek
Rudra-Abhiseka i.e the sacred bathing of Lord Shankar is a ritual as prescribed in the Vedic Sutra literature. The Abhiseka is performed in order to please Lord Shiva to bestow fortune and prosperity, fulfillment of long cherished desires and to pacify the stars, which are adverse to the fortune of a devotee affecting his/ her destiny. Keeping in view the belief, desire and demand of the devotees, Rudra-Abhishek is arranged by Mahavir Mandir. Since it is not possible for a lay devotee to identify and collect puja materials himself, as also there is dearth of Pandit i.e. the preist having expertise in such a Puja, Mahavir Mandir provides puja materials and a well-versed preist on payment of a nominal fee, the devotee informed the date and time of Rudra-Abhisheka so that he/she may turn up in time to perform the ritual, which may spread over nearly two hours.

Satya-Narayan-Puja ( Detailed)
It may be mentioned that the worship of Lord Satya-Narayan is the most popular amongst all the modes of worship offered to Lord Visnu. The Skand and the Bhavisya Puranas contain the importance and methodology of performing worship of Lord Satya-Narayan. The most appropriate book for details of methodology and mythology of this worship is Bhavisya Puran, which deals with this subject in its main text, whereas the Skanda Puran mentions its substitute in the appendix of its eastern version only. Here it may be mentioned usefully for the information of the devotees that two kinds of worship of Lord Satya-Narayan are being arranged in Mahavir Mandir, the one that may be called traditional, and another is known as Brihad (detaileds) Satya-Narayan-puja. The later one is special in the sense that this can't be performed by a lay priest rather it requires a bit of specialization. Since it is not possible for a common devotee to identify and collect puja materials himself, as also there is dearth of Pandit i-e the priest having expertise in such a Puja, Mahavir Mandir provides puja materials and a well-versed priest. On payment of a nominal fee, the devotee informed the date and time of so that he/ she may turn up in time of Satya-Narayan-Puja (detailed) to perform the ritual, which may spread over nearly two hours.

Ramarcha
Ramarcha in Mahavir Mandir is performed in accordance with the “Ramrchana-paddhati” an authentic book written by Ramanandacharya. Here it is so devotion oriented and less-offering oriented and the fees are so normal that many people doubt that it is really the true Ramarcha. But our ritual is perfect and far better than that prevalent in other temples and institutions where devotees are fleeced in the name of rituals.

Prasad

The Naivedyam of Mahavir Mandir is synonym of the laddos which are offered to Hanumanji. Naivedyam in the Sanskrit language means an offering of eatables presented to a deity or idol . It is prepared by the experts from Tirupati. It contains besan of gram, sugar, cashew, raisin, Green cardamoms, Kashmiri-saffron and other flavorings, cooked in ghee and molded into a ball shape. The kesar (saffron) use in the naivedyam obtained directly from the grower at Pampore district, well know as "Land of Gold (Saffron) in Kashmir. The naivedyam is very popular and earns surplus which is utilized for philanthropy like treatment of poor cancer patients. No sweet in the country can match the 'Naivedyam' in quality and test. It is simply superb, matchless indeed. During the financial year 2010-11, the sale of Naivedyam was to the tune of over 8 crore. The record sale and profit assumes more significance in the light of the statutory warning written on the laddoo box that "Naivedaym is for the 'bhog' of the deity and taking it without offering to the deity is impolitic". Therefore the sale of Tirupati laddoos is limited to 'prasad' only and its commercial sale is totally prohibited.

Nearby Places to visit

Places nearby include the Buddha Smriti Park (100 m), the ISKCON Temple (1 km) and the Maurya Lok Marketing Complex (1 km).

Accessibility

Airport

This temple is 6 kilometres from the Patna Airport.

Railways

It is under a kilometre from the Patna Junction.

Road

The temple is easily reachable from all part of the city by autos, bus and private vehicle. However, beside on the very busy area, parking for the vehicle can be a problem. However, the station parking area can be used for the same. This temple is 5 kilometres from Mithapur Bus Stand.

Temple Address

Mahavir Mandir, Near Patna Junction,
Patna, Bihar, India
Pincode – 800001.