Bari Patan Devi Temple is located in the Indian state of Bihar. More specifically, this temple is situated in the Chowk area of Patna facing the north, towards the Ganges River. The name of the city Patna is believed to have been derived from the name of the Bari Patan Devi Temple. But there are some people who do not hold this belief. They believe that the word Patna has been derived from patan, which means a town. Evidently, the town of Patna dealt in export and import. Bari Patan Devi Temple over the years have surpassed the popularity of its counterpart namely, Chhoti Patan Devi Temple. It is important to note that this temple does not discriminate among its devotees and visitors on the basis of caste or creed. Anyone is welcomed in the temple to worship the goddess and pay offerings to Her.

Mythology Associated with Bari Patan Devi Temple
In the Hindu mythology it is highlighted that the right thigh of the Devi called Sati fell in Magadh and other parts of the body of Sati fell in both Maharajganj and Chowk areas in Old Patna city. It is in these sacred places that the Badi Patan Devi temple and the Chhoti Patan Devi temple were built. In the Tantra Charumani, it is highlighted that the Devi"s Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati are the small images of the Bari Patan Devi Temple. These are known to be the goddesses who protected Putraka, who was the founder of Pataliputra.

Architectural Design of Bari Patan Devi Temple
The Bari Patan Devi Temple has a portico at the entrance. This portico has dimensions of about 1.5` X 15`. It also has rooms dedicated to different goddesses. They are Mahakali (12"), Maha Lakshmi (6"), Maha Saraswati (12") and Bhairav (3"). Theses idols are made using black stones. These rooms are measured as 8` X 8`. All the figures are placed on simhasans (also known as thrones in English language), which have a height of about 7 feet. The first three goddesses are dressed in sarees. In a tank near the Bari Patan Devi Temple a strange stone image was found. It was then kept in the eastern veranda of the main temple. This stone is worshiped regularly in the temple.

Rituals Followed in Bari Patan Devi Temple
Daily rituals of the Bari Patan Devi Temple are marked by the deity being daily bathed in the morning and evening. Then prasada is offered to the deity. Aarti in the temple comprises of the usual reciting of the hymns by the priest. When aarti commences bells are rung in the temple.

Festivals Celebrated in Bari Patan Devi Temple
During Vijaydashmi, various festivals and fairs are organized around Bari Patan Devi Temple. During Saptami, Ashtami and Navami a plethora of visitors throng this temple. On such visits, devotees offer sweets, garlands and fruits to the deities. The prasada is also taken by the priest of the temple, who returns the rest to the devotees. The priest applies rori (also known as red powder in English) on the forehead of the devotees. The devotees can even offer dakshina in the form of money to the priest. Tuesday is considered to be a special day for the devotees. On this particular day, a plethora of devotees visit the temple. Gifts and sarees are also offered to the deities, if their desires are fulfilled by the deities.

Other Places of Attraction around Bari Patan Devi Temple
Anand Cinema, Old Opium Warehouse, Gauri Shankar Mandir, Devi Mandir, Patthar-Ki-Masjid and Paschim Darwaza are some of the other places of attraction around Bari Patan Devi Temple.

Chhoti Patan Devi Temple
There is another Patan Devi Temple called the small or the Chhoti Patan Devi Temple in the Chowk area of Patna. According to the historian namely, Buchanan, Choti Patendevi Temple held the primary position as Patna"s presiding deity during 18th and early 19th century.

Visiting Information
The nearest airport to Bari Patan Devi Temple is Lok Nayak Jaya Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna. This airport is located at a distance of about 11 km from the temple. The nearest railway station to this temple is Patna Junction Train Station. This train station is located at a distance of about 6 km from Bari Patan Devi Temple. The temple can be reached from the Patna Bus Station. The roads leading to this temple are motorable by rickshaws, taxis etc. They are available in Patna City Railway Stations and Gulzarbagh.

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