My Journey to Religious Places: Mahaveer Mandir, Patna

One of the Oldest and Famous temples in Patna

Mahaveer Mandir, Patna

I remember, even forty years ago it was the most popular temple in Patna. The heavy wooden Chowkhats of the old temple are still in my memories near which devotees used to put off their shoes and "Chappals". But hardly they could concentrate on the worship because shoe lifting was a menace. In fact, I knew first about the "Chappal Chori" here when as a child I visited with my father in this temple. People used different techniques to save their footwear. If in groups, one person guarded them and rest peacefully went inside. If alone they would plan ahead to visit here in old footwear that nobody will be interested in. By mistake, if they come in with footwear in good condition they used to place both pieces far away so that it will be difficult for the shoe lifters to locate the pair.

This situation was changed only when the renowned former SP of Patna Mr. Kishore Kunal became the patron of the temple and the new bigger structure of the temple was erected. It is gorgeous and beautiful and the most important thing is that everything is systematic. Near the side gate (Which is used as the main gate) shoe stands are made and devotees put their shoes and take a token before entering barefooted the temple campus. Shoe keeping is free here while outside "Ram Mandir" at Bhubaneswar Rs 2.00 is charged for each pair. Devotees worship without taking tension about their footwear. Barefooted devotees go to the front portion of the campus where there is a wash place with many taps. The side entrance gate has an arch in the shape of a bow which is symbolic of "Bhagwan Rama". Two Hanumana idols are placed in the center of the temple on a high platform and are visible from outside the front gate. So the devotees can have a look at Hanuman Ji even without entering the campus. They claim that it is the only temple where two idols (Vigraha) of Hanuman are placed in the sanctum Sanctorum. Hanuman Ji on the left side is the wish-fulfilling Hanuman (Manokamna-Purna) and on the right is the grief-removing Hanuman (Dukh-Haran).
Ladies and gents have separate queues for "darshan and prasad offering". A person sits near the idols to give "Tulsi and Charnamrit" to devotees. "Prasada" which is mainly "Laddu" can be bought from shops on the right side of the temple for offering to "Mahaveer Swami". But there is also sold offered "Prasadam" in the form of "Naivedyam" in South Indian style at a counter on the left of the stairs. Holy books are also sold at this counter.

The main idols at Mahavir Mandir, Patna
Devotees think themselves fortunate with a glimpse of Mahaveer Hanuman

There is space for the "Pradakshina" of idols inside the temple. Some devotees sit near the wall of the hall and read holy books or do "Japa". On the left side of this hall is a "Shivalinga". On the first floor, Ram Darbar idols are placed. Some idols are also at the back side of the temple that can be seen from coming out of Patna Railway Station. The temple is situated just near the station on the North side.

Patna Junction Railway Station at the backside
of Mahaveer Mandir, Patna

Since Tulsidas was a great devotee of Hanuman, an idol of Tulsidas is also placed in front of the temple (Just like the "Garuda" idol in a Vishnu temple). Over it is written a 'Chowpai' of "Sri Ramcharit Manas",

"Ram bhagat priya lagahi jehi |

Tehi ur basahi sahit Vaidehi ||"

"राम भगत प्रिय लागहि जेहि ।

तेहि उर बसहिं सहित वैदेही ॥

(Whosoever likes the devotee of Rama ie Hanuman, The God Rama remains in the heart of that devotee along with Sita )
Another "Chowpai" describing the importance of 'Name of Rama' can be seen in the picture here.

Tulsidas facing Mahaveer Hanumaan
at Mahavir Mandir, Patna

There are also "Shloka" and phrases from "Sri Ramcharit Manas" on the outer side of the temple like this,

दासोअहं कोसलेन्द्रस्य रामस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः ।

हनूमान शत्रुसैन्यानां निहन्ता मारुतात्मजः ॥

and

महावीरो हनुमान विजयतेतराम ।

And above the entrance of the main temple is the famous "Chowpai" from Sri Ramacharit Manas which says why "Hanuman" is so great.

महावीर विनवऊँ हनुमाना । राम जासु जस आपु बखाना ॥

(I bow to Powerful Hanumana whose fame is described by God Rama Himself.)

Shloka from Manas is written on the yellow strip
at Mahaveer Mandir, Patna

The high structure of "Mahaveer Mandir" is visible from a distance. In fact, two high structures - One "Mahaveer Mandir" and the other a few hundred meters away "Station Masjid" are synonymous with Patna just like "Golghar". On Tuesdays and Saturdays, there is always a heavy rush here. But the most crowded day in the year is the festival of "Ram Navami" when more than a half Kilometre long queue of devotees wait for their turn. The Temple Trust makes arrangements for "Kaleen" and overhead tents throughout the queue.
I know some people who have so much faith in this temple that they visit every Tuesday or Saturday and they are doing it for decades. Mahaveer Hanuman is pleased with the person who comes here with full faith in Him.

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Edit - 16/07/2022 → Now the entrance is the front gate and the exit is on the side.

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