Shyama Mai Temple : The one of the most revered temples in Bihar, the Shyama Mai Temple is located in the region of Darbhanga in the state of Bihar. The temple has been constructed on the chita (cremation spot) of the King of Darbhanga, Rameshwar Singh. In fact the whole temple campus is the cremation ground of the royal family with several other temples too alongwith the main Ma Shyama temple. This red coloured beautiful structure was built by Kameshwar Singh, son of Rameshwar Singh in 1933 AD. The sanctum of the main temple has an idol of Goddess Ma Shyama, or Ma Kali, a form of Shakti.
The imposing Ma Shyama’s black idol is about ten feet high. Dressed in a bright green silk sari, a red and gold drape over the shoulders, she looks resplendent with a gold mukut or crown placed firmly on her head. Made of ashtadhatu, the huge bell at the temple was gifted by the King of Nepal and is made to ring only at the time of arti twice everyday. The ceiling the of the temple structure carries different signs and forms used in tantra sadhana. These signs are believed to collectively create positive energy and after passing through this the devotee is said to become free of materialistic desires.
Apart from the main temple, there are other temples of different Goddesses in the premises, like that of Ma Annapurna in the north direction built on the cremation point (chita) of the elder Queen of the King of Darbhanga. The statue here is of white marble, while the other temple in the south-east direction of the main temple is called Tara temple. It is built on the cremation point of King Lakshmeshwar Singh. The temple premises also has a pond to the south, that is said to be made up of the water of seven rivers. On the occasion of Navratra, bali to Ma Shyama is offered from the house of the King of Darbhanga. Apart from this, a special prasada Shyama Bhoga is distributed.
