Patna, 25 April: Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the Sita Mahaotsav 2026 by lighting the lamp at Punauradham in Sitamarhi district on the occasion of Janki Nommi today. Addressing the program organized on the occasion of Sita Mahaotsav-2026, Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said, it is a matter of pride for me that with the blessings of Mother Sita, I have come to Mother Sita's birthplace Punauradham as the Chief Minister. It is a fortunate thing for me to come to Mother Sita's birthplace on the occasion of Janki Nommi. Mata Janki's birthplace Punauradham is being fully developed. Last year, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and then Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had come here to perform Bhoomi Pujan.

Earlier, a drought-like situation had arisen here, but it started raining at the time of Bhoomi Pujan ceremony and it continued to rain. Thousands of years ago, when Mother Janki was born here, there was a severe drought, but after her birth, there was good rain in the area, creating an atmosphere of prosperity all around. Work is being done to fully prepare Mother Sita's birthplace. In this regard, we have recently held a review meeting. Initially, the target was to complete it by June 2029, but now we have directed to complete it by December 31, 2028. He said it will be developed as a tourist destination. A grand temple of Lord Shri Ram has been established in Ayodhya. Prime Minister Modi has prepared a pathway, which is benefiting the devotees. Nitish Kumar had announced the construction of Sitapuram Township in Sitamarhi. We have approved it in our first cabinet meeting.

The Chief Minister said that all the places related to Mother Janki will be connected to Punauradham so that devotees can go there and stay for a few days. Experts can also come here for research. When Mother Janki was born, there was a lot of rain in the area, and it continued to rain after the foundation stone ceremony. Nitish Kumar had decided to build a state-of-the-art hospital here, and the construction work is ongoing. The hospital will be named Mother Sita Medical College.

A new city will be established in Sitamarhi by the name of Sitapuram. We have approved it in our first cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the country to develop, and Nitish Kumar wants Bihar to prosper. For this purpose, they have prepared a roadmap through Pragati Yatra and Samriddhi Yatra. Nitish Kumar has taken Bihar forward in the last 20 years. Similarly, we will make Bihar developed and prosperous. A large number of industries will be set up here. An investment of Rs 1 lakh 36 thousand crores has been started in Pirpainti Thermal Power Plant and Nabinagar Thermal Power Plant, etc. With the blessings of Mother Janki, Bihar is moving towards prosperity. Next year, an investment of Rs 5 lakh crores will be made in Bihar.

Our government will provide employment opportunities within Bihar, so that people are not forced to seek employment in other states. On this occasion of Janki Nommi, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all of you. May India be developed and Bihar be prosperous.

The Sita Mahaotsav was also addressed by MP Devush Chandra Thakur and BJP state president and MLA Sanjay Saraogi. The DM presented the welcome speech, and MLA Sunil Kumar Pintu proposed the vote of thanks.

Present on the occasion were Union Minister of State S P Singh Baghel, MP Devish Chandra Thakur, BJP state president and MLA Sanjay Saraogi, MLA Sunil Kumar Pintu, MLA Ms. Gayatri Devi, MLA Pankaj Kumar Mishra, MLA Rameshwar Mahato, MLA Nagendra Raout, MLA Dr. Shweta Gupta, MLA Amit Kumar, MLA Anil Kumar, MLA Vidyapati Prasad, MLC Ms. Rekhadevi, MLC Mr. Vanshidhar Barjati, Mahant of Punauradham temple Shri Koshal Kishore Das Maharaj, BJP district president Manish Kumar, JDU district president Satyendra Singh Kushwaha, Sitamarhi district council chairperson Ms. Aditi Kumari, former MP Ms. Ramadevi, former MLA Ram Naresh Yadav, former MLA Ms. Gudi Devi, former MLA Moti Lal Prasad, Chief Minister's Principal Secretary Mr. Deepak Kumar, Chief Secretary Mr. Pritya Amrit, Director General of Police Operations Mr. Kandan Krishnan, Chief Minister's OSDD Dr. Gopal Singh, Home Department's OSD Mr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation's Managing Director Mr. Nand Kishore, along with other public representatives, senior officials, and local people.