Patan Devi temple is one of the oldest and most sacred temples situated in Patna, the capital city of Bihar. The name Patna is believed to be derived from Maa Patan Devi Temples also called Maa Patneshwari. Patan Devi is one of the 51 Shakti peeth temples in India. It is believed that the right thigh of Devi Sati had fallen here according to the Hindu Mythology. It is said that the part of the body of Sati fell in both Maharajganj and Chowk areas in Old Patna city. These sites are known today as Badi Patan Devi temple and Choti Patan Devi temple.
Patan Devi Temple Legends
As per the legends Sati, the consort of Shiva was the daughter of Daksha Prajaapati had married Shiva against the wishes of her father. Once Daksh Prajapati organized a grand havan and invited all the deities except his son-in-law Lord Shiva. Against Shiva's wishes, Sati attended this sacrifice and was insulted by her father. Sati was unable to bear her father's insults toward her husband and immolated herself by jumping into the havan.When Lord Shiva heard of his wife's death he was furious. Holding Sati's body he began to pace the three worlds and danced the dance of destruction throughout the Universe. Due to this the balance of the universe was in trouble. Then Lord Vishnu – preserver of the universe with his Sudarshan Chakra cut the charred body of Sati into pieces and relieved Lord Shiva from pain and agony and saved the earth from Shiva’s anger. The parts of Sati body fell at many places and later was known as Shakti Peeth. It is believed that some portion of the right thigh of Sati and the pat (cloth) fell near Maharajganj and Chowk. It is also believed that the names of the goddesses Bari Patan Devi and Choti Patan Devi are derived from the pat which fell at Maharajganj and Chowk.
Badi Patan Devi temple
Badi Patan Devi is situated in Maharajganj area of Patna City. Bari Patan Devi Temple is a magnificent shrine facing north towards Ganges River. The temple enshrines idols of Goddess Kali, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati and Bhairav. All the statues of the Bari Patan Devi Temple of Patna are made of black stone. The idols are in a standing pose on a simhasan which is about 4" square and the height being about 7 feet.
Choti Patan Devi temple
Choti Patan temple is situated in the Chowk area in Patna. It has the same goddesses as in the Bari Patan Devi. It is said that the pat or clothes of Sati fell from the sky at this place. One can also find a big image of sun-god in the northern compound. This image is broken into two parts. The temple also has images of Vishnu and Ganesh.
The temples have been reconstructed from time to time with use of marble and mosaic slabs. They are built in the Brahmanical style. The temple is open to people from all religions. Everybody is allowed to go to the temples from six in the morning, when the morning arti takes place, to ten p.m. in the night. Tuesday is a particularly important day and on this number of devotees flocking the temple is much more than other days. Many newly-weds visit the temple to seek the blessings of the goddesses. New-born babies are brought to these temples and the blessings of the goddesses are sought. Various festivals or fairs are held around these temples during the time of Vijaydashmi.
The temple attracts huge number of tourists and devotees during the days of Saptami, Ashtami and Navami.