The Bihar government has inaugurated development works worth Rs 14 crore at the historic Deo Surya Mandir in Tarari block of Bhojpur district, adding a Chhath ghat, visitor facilities and a G+1 Mangal Bhavan ahead of the festival season.
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary inaugurated the works remotely through videoconferencing from Sankalp Hall at Lok Sewak Awas in Patna on Saturday. The programme coincided with the second day of Chhath, Bihar’s major festival, when devotees gather at water bodies and religious sites to offer prayers to the Sun.
The project at the temple includes construction of a Chhath ghat, a boundary wall, an access pathway and a main gate. A G+1 Mangal Bhavan has also been built for marriages, other auspicious functions and visitors’ stay. The works are intended to improve movement, access and basic arrangements for devotees visiting the temple, which houses old idols and attracts large numbers of worshippers.
Addressing the inauguration, Choudhary said the Deo Surya Mandir was an important religious and cultural site for Bihar. He linked Chhath with the state’s long-standing tradition of worshipping Bhagwan Surya, as well as with respect for nature. The chief minister said improved facilities at the ancient temple would make visits more convenient and could support religious tourism and local employment.
The upgrade is part of the state government’s Seva Sankalp evam Kayakalp Abhiyan, under which ghats are being developed to improve arrangements for Chhath vratis and other devotees. The chief minister directed officials to ensure visitor convenience, security and access to essential facilities at the site.
The project places a religious destination within the broader challenge of managing public infrastructure at sites that experience intense, seasonal footfall. Ghats, pathways, boundary walls and visitor buildings serve both ceremonial and everyday needs, but their effectiveness depends on how they are operated and maintained during peak gatherings. The report does not provide capacity figures, a detailed operating plan or an estimate of expected visitor numbers.
Tourism department secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh outlined the project during the programme and welcomed the chief minister with a green plant. Deputy Chief Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav, Tourism Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta, Chief Minister’s Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh and other senior officials attended the event.
The Bihar government has said that upgrading religious and cultural sites is intended to make them more accessible while supporting tourism and local economic activity. The immediate implementation focus at Deo Surya Mandir will be on visitor access, security and essential facilities as devotees use the newly developed infrastructure during Chhath.
