Patna पटना

Capital of Bihar (ancient Pataliputra) on the south bank of the Ganga. Sacred to Sikhs as birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh (Takht Sri Patna Sahib) and to Hindus for Mahavir Mandir, Patan Devi (Shakti Peetha) and Hanuman worship. Gateway city for the Gaya pitru-paksha circuit and the Vaishali-Rajgir Buddhist circuit.

Patan Devi = one of 51 Shakti Peethas (right thigh of Sati fell here per Devi Bhagavata). Mahavir Mandir = India's second-highest temple income after Tirupati (Naivedyam laddu prasad has GI tag). Gateway airport for the entire pitru-paksha pilgrim wave to Gaya (Sep-Oct).