Madhepura's Badi Durga Mandir: A Pilgrimage Site Steeped in Tradition

As of September 30th, 2025, the Badi Durga Mandir in Madhepura, a town in the Indian state of Bihar, has been witnessing a surge of devotees, particularly women, since the opening of the 'paat' (a religious ritual) earlier this week. The temple, believed to be over 110 years old, has grown from a small shrine into a prominent center of devotion over the years.

The Goddess worshipped here is known as "Vaishnavi Mata," and the temple strictly prohibits any form of sacrifice. Women devotees with various wishes come to the temple to offer prayers, often accompanied by traditional music groups and band parties. A common practice in the Mithila and Kosi regions, the devotees also offer "Jhanp," a pyramid-shaped paper structure with an open base, as part of their offerings.

The temple's senior members, including Harishwachandra Sah, Lalan Kumar Singh, Ashok Somani, Manish Soraf, and Mantu Soraf, have witnessed the temple's growth over generations, with donations pouring in over the years. The Goddess is adorned with ornaments of gold and a crown made of pure silver, adding to the temple's grandeur.

The local administration has maintained round-the-clock security at the Badi Durga Mandir, with police personnel and a static magistrate deployed at the site. Madhepura's District Magistrate, Taranjot Singh, and Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Singh, have also visited the temple to review the security arrangements and issue necessary instructions regarding the upcoming idol immersion.