The Bihar Government has planned to develop Punauradham in line with Ayodhya Dham. Punauradham, the birthplace of Goddess Sita in Sitamarhi district, has special religious and tourism importance. Hindus worship Goddess Sita along with Lord Rama. Shri Ram Janmabhoomi has been developed in Ayodhya and it has become a center of great attraction for devotees. There is a direct connection between Ayodhya and Punauradham. In the larger public interest, keeping in mind the sentiments of the devotees and the possibility of extensive development of tourism, it is appropriate to develop the existing Punauradham as a Ramayana Circuit so that there is a direct connection with Ayodhya Dham. And since, so far very little development has taken place here. The Bihar Government has planned to develop Punauradham in line with Ayodhya Dham.

Punaura Math (Shri Sita Janm Kund Sthal (Shri Janaki Janm Bhoomi, Punora Dham Mandir) situated at Punaura Village in Sitamarhi District is a registered public trust and is functioning under the control and supervision of the Board. Whereas, the Governor of Bihar is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action to amend the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950 (Bihar Act-01 of 1951) in the manner hereinafter prescribed. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 213 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of Bihar is pleased to promulgate the following Ordinance.

(1) This Ordinance may be called the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025.

(2) This Ordinance shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Gazette.

2 Amendment of section 32. In the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950, sub-section 32(5) shall be inserted as follows-

(5) (1) Bihar Notwithstanding any provision of the Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1950 including section 32, the State Government may make a scheme for the development of Punauradham Temple, Sitamarhi, including administration of land and all assets thereof. This scheme shall, among other things, include a holistic approach to development, so as to achieve the objective of making it a place of religious and tourist attraction of national importance.

(ii) The State Government may constitute a Committee of Eminent Persons for the administration of the development scheme.

(iii) On the date of commencement of this Ordinance, the present Trust Committee of Punauradham Temple shall stand dissolved. All office-bearers shall cease to function.

Provided that the existing Mahatha of the Trust shall be included in the Committee to be constituted by the State Government.

Provided further that all employees of the Trust shall continue to serve the Trust subject to the full control of the Committee including disciplinary action.

(iv) The Committee to be constituted by the State Government shall immediately take over the full control of the management of the Trust and all its tangible and intangible assets.

(v) The Committee to be constituted by the State Government shall immediately take over the full control of the management of the Trust and all its tangible and intangible assets. The Committee shall submit reports to the State Government from time to time.

(vi) The State Government may issue directions to the Committee in the interest of proper implementation of the Scheme and such directions shall be binding.

(vii) The State Government may amend, alter or replace the present Scheme in the interest of proper development of the Trust. The State Government may at any time reconstitute the Committee, including by inducting new members or excluding existing members.

(viii) The general powers and duties of the Council under section 28 of the Act shall continue to apply to the Trust.