Choti Beriya Temple Bahraich

History of Choti Beriya Temple

Choti Beriya Temple is more than 100 years old and has served as an important centre of local faith for generations. The temple developed around the worship of Samay Mata, who is regarded as a protective village and community goddess.

The temple’s religious importance grew as families from Bahraich and nearby villages began visiting it for worship, fulfilment of vows, mundan ceremonies, marriage-related rituals, and prayers for family welfare.

According to regional traditions, the wider Bahraich area was once associated with ancient Gandharva Van, a forested region connected with sages, spiritual practices, and sacred settlements. Choti Beriya Temple became one of the local centres where traditional goddess worship continued through generations.

The annual fair held during Guru Purnima has a long history. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on this occasion to worship Samay Mata and offer ghee tikri and halwa. Newly married couples traditionally visit the shrine, perform rituals near the pond, and seek the goddess’s blessings for a peaceful married life.

The temple has also become an important place for mundan ceremonies. Numerous families bring their children here for their first haircut ritual and pray for their health, protection, and bright future.

The temple complex has been developed and renovated through the support of devotees, local residents, and civic development initiatives. A major beautification plan was approved to improve the temple premises, pond area, visitor facilities, and overall appearance of the sacred site.

Who Built Choti Beriya Temple?

Choti Beriya Temple developed as a community shrine dedicated to Samay Mata more than a century ago. Generations of local devotees, priests, and residents have contributed to its maintenance, expansion, and renovation.

The present temple structure reflects different stages of development. Traditional elements of the older shrine have been preserved, while marble flooring, a larger pavilion, decorative features, and improved facilities have been added over time.

Religious Significance of Samay Mata

Samay Mata is worshipped as a protective form of the Divine Mother. Her name is associated with divine help during difficult times and protection during important stages of life.

Devotees visit Choti Beriya Temple to pray for:

• Protection from difficulties and negative influences

• Good health and recovery from illness

• Happiness and unity within the family

• Blessings for newly married couples

• Protection and well-being of children

• Success in personal and professional life

• Fulfilment of wishes and religious vows

• Courage during uncertain circumstances

• Peace of mind and spiritual strength

Many worshippers return to the temple with prasad or special offerings after their wishes have been fulfilled.

Daily Procession of Samay Mata

One of the most important traditions of Choti Beriya Temple is the daily movement of the goddess between two shrines.

At 5:00 AM, Samay Mata is ceremonially brought from the inner temple to the grand outer temple. Devotees gather for the morning worship and receive darshan of the goddess in the main public shrine.

The deity remains in the outer temple during the morning darshan period. At 12:30 PM, Samay Mata is ceremonially taken back to the inner temple.

The movement of the deity is treated with great reverence. Devotees consider participation in the morning procession especially auspicious.

Architecture of Choti Beriya Temple

Choti Beriya Temple combines traditional North Indian temple architecture with modern construction and decorative features.

The temple’s main architectural features include:

• A tall curved shikhara above the principal shrine

• A spacious marble pavilion at the entrance

• Marble flooring and wall surfaces

• A specially designed sanctum for Samay Mata

• Religious paintings and decorative artwork

• Traditional wooden craftsmanship

• Open areas for religious ceremonies

• A sacred pond near the temple

• Space for fairs, bhajans, Dandiya, and community gatherings

The sanctum is decorated with lights, flowers, colourful clothes, and religious ornaments. During Navratri, Guru Purnima, and other festivals, the temple is decorated with flowers, lighting, flags, and devotional artwork.

The surrounding open space provides room for devotees attending fairs, mundan ceremonies, community prayers, and cultural programmes.

Choti Beriya Temple Timings

The main daily darshan and procession schedule is:

The confirmed daily religious schedule states that Samay Mata is brought to the outer temple at 5:00 AM and returned to the inner temple at 12:30 PM.

A separate fixed evening aarti and closing time is not publicly listed. Evening access and worship arrangements can change according to the season, festival, and temple programme. Devotees should confirm locally if they specifically wish to attend an evening ceremony.

During Guru Purnima, Navratri, Chhath Puja, and temple fairs, the visiting schedule may be extended.

Best Time for Darshan

The best time for darshan is between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM. Visitors arriving at 5:00 AM can witness the ceremonial arrival of Samay Mata from the inner shrine to the outer temple and participate in the morning worship.

Visitors who prefer a quieter experience can visit between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on a regular weekday.

The temple receives larger crowds during:

• Guru Purnima

• Navratri

• Chhath Puja

• Fridays

• Ashtami and Navami

• Special goddess festivals

• Marriage and mundan muhurat dates

Visitors should arrive early on festival days because the temple and pond area can become crowded.

Daily Puja and Rituals

Regular worship at Choti Beriya Temple includes:

• Cleaning and preparation of the sanctum

• Ceremonial arrival of Samay Mata at 5:00 AM

• Lighting of lamps and incense

• Morning puja and aarti

• Offering of flowers, chunri, sindoor, and sweets

• Chanting of Devi mantras

• Bhog offering

• Personal prayers and fulfilment-of-vow rituals

• Distribution of prasad

• Return of the goddess to the inner shrine at 12:30 PM

Devotees may also request special worship for family welfare, marriage, children, health, prosperity, or the fulfilment of a religious vow.

Guru Purnima Celebration

Guru Purnima is one of the most important annual occasions at Choti Beriya Temple. A large traditional fair is organised, attracting thousands of devotees from Bahraich and surrounding villages.

Important activities during Guru Purnima include:

• Special worship of Samay Mata

• Offering of ghee tikri and halwa

• Bhajan and devotional singing

• Radha-Krishna tableaux

• Dandiya performances

• Mundan ceremonies

• Worship by newly married couples

• Rituals near the sacred pond

• Distribution of prasad

• Community gatherings and fair activities

Newly married couples visit the temple to seek blessings for love, understanding, prosperity, and a long-lasting marriage.

Navratri Celebrations

Both Chaitra Navratri and Sharadiya Navratri are celebrated with great devotion. The temple is decorated, and devotees begin arriving from early morning for darshan.

Navratri worship includes:

• Special decoration of Samay Mata

• Durga Saptashati recitation

• Devi mantra chanting

• Morning and evening aarti

• Offering of chunri and shringar items

• Bhajan and kirtan

• Havan

• Kanya Pujan

• Prasad distribution

Ashtami and Navami are the busiest days. Devotees should reach the temple early to avoid long queues.

Chhath Puja at the Temple Pond

The pond near Choti Beriya Temple is an important site for Chhath Puja. A large number of devotees gather near the water to offer arghya to the setting and rising Sun.

During Chhath Puja, the pond area is decorated and prepared for worship. Families carry traditional offerings such as fruits, sugarcane, thekua, coconuts, and bamboo baskets.

The temple and pond together become an important centre of community devotion during the festival.

Mundan Ceremony at Choti Beriya Temple

Choti Beriya Temple is well known for mundan ceremonies. Families bring children to the shrine for their first haircut and seek the blessings of Samay Mata.

After the ceremony, families commonly:

• Offer flowers and sweets

• Present chunri to the goddess

• Perform puja for the child

• Distribute prasad

• Donate according to their capacity

• Pray for the child’s health and protection

Guru Purnima and other auspicious dates attract a large number of families for mundan rituals.

Worship by Newly Married Couples

Newly married couples traditionally visit Choti Beriya Temple, especially during Guru Purnima. They worship Samay Mata and perform customary rituals near the temple pond.

The couple prays for:

• A peaceful married life

• Mutual love and understanding

• Family prosperity

• Protection from difficulties

• Blessings for future children

• Long life and good health

This tradition has been followed by local families for generations.

Offerings at Choti Beriya Temple

Devotees commonly offer:

• Ghee tikri

• Halwa

• Flowers and garlands

• Red chunri

• Sindoor

• Bangles

• Coconut

• Batasha

• Puri and sweets

• Fruits

• Incense sticks

• Ghee lamps

• Shringar items

• Religious flags

Offerings should be placed only in the designated area or given to an authorised priest.

Prasad at Choti Beriya Temple

Ghee tikri and halwa are the temple’s most important traditional prasad items. These offerings hold special significance during Guru Purnima.

Devotees first present the food to Samay Mata and then distribute it among family members and other visitors. During festivals, large quantities of prasad may be prepared for community distribution.

Other prasad items can include batasha, peda, laddoos, fruits, coconut, and puri.

Entry Fee and Puja Charges

There is no entry fee for regular darshan at Choti Beriya Temple.

Devotees may make voluntary donations for temple maintenance, festivals, pond development, prasad distribution, and religious ceremonies.

Separate charges may apply for arrangements such as:

• Mundan ceremony

• Personal puja

• Special bhog

• Havan

• Chunri offering

• Group religious ceremony

• Prasad or bhandara arrangement

Visitors should confirm the applicable amount directly with an authorised priest or temple representative.

Best Season to Visit

Choti Beriya Temple can be visited throughout the year. The most comfortable period is from October to March, when the weather in Bahraich is suitable for travel.

Important periods for visiting include:

• Guru Purnima

• Chaitra Navratri

• Sharadiya Navratri

• Chhath Puja

• Ashtami and Navami

• Auspicious mundan dates

Summer visitors should prefer the early morning because temperatures can become high later in the day.

How to Reach Choti Beriya Temple

By Train

Bahraich Railway Station is the nearest main railway station. It is connected with Lucknow, Gonda and other regional destinations.

The temple is approximately 6–7 km from the railway station. Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, and taxis are available.

Visitors can ask the driver for Choti Beriya Samay Mata Temple near Police Lines or Hatheela Road.

By Bus

UPSRTC and private buses operate between Bahraich and cities such as Lucknow, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Nanpara, and Lakhimpur Kheri.

The temple is approximately 4–5 km from the main Bahraich bus station. Local autos and e-rickshaws can be used to reach it.

By Road

Bahraich has good road connectivity with Lucknow, Gonda, Shravasti, Balrampur, Nanpara, and neighbouring areas.

Private vehicles can reach the temple through the Police Lines, Nawagarhi, Ramawapur, or Hatheela Road side, depending on the starting point.

By Air

Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow is the nearest major airport. It is approximately 120–130 km from Bahraich.

Visitors can hire a taxi from the airport or travel to Bahraich by bus after reaching Lucknow city.

Distance from Important Places

Travel distance can differ according to the chosen route.

Nearby Places to Visit

Visitors can include the following places in their Bahraich pilgrimage:

• Hanuman Temple Bahraich

• Shri Siddhnath Mahadev Temple

• Mari Mata Temple

• Sangharini Mata Temple

• Gulla Veer Temple

• Mahmada Samay Mata Temple

• Chittaura Lake

• Maharaja Suheldev Memorial

• Bahraich Dargah

• Shravasti

Suggested Visit Plan

Reach Choti Beriya Temple before 5:00 AM to witness the ceremonial arrival of Samay Mata at the outer temple. Attend the morning puja and aarti, offer flowers or ghee tikri, and receive darshan.

Spend some time near the temple pond while maintaining cleanliness and respecting ritual activities. Visitors planning a mundan ceremony or special puja should speak with the temple priest before beginning the ritual.

Complete the main darshan before 12:30 PM because the goddess is taken back to the inner shrine at that time.

After visiting Choti Beriya Temple, devotees can continue to other important temples and religious sites in Bahraich.

Guidelines for Visitors

• Visit before 12:30 PM for the main public darshan.

• Reach before 5:00 AM to witness the morning procession.

• Wear clean and modest clothes.

• Remove footwear before entering the temple.

• Maintain silence near the sanctum.

• Follow the instructions of priests and temple volunteers.

• Do not enter restricted areas without permission.

• Use the pond only for authorised religious rituals.

• Keep children under supervision near the water.

• Do not throw plastic, food, flowers, or waste into the pond.

• Confirm arrangements before conducting a mundan ceremony.

• Avoid photography inside the sanctum without permission.

• Use authorised counters or representatives for donations.

• Expect larger crowds during Guru Purnima, Navratri, and Chhath Puja.

Conclusion

Choti Beriya Temple is an important centre of goddess worship and community faith in Bahraich. Dedicated to Samay Mata, the century-old shrine is known for its morning procession, sacred pond, Guru Purnima fair, Navratri celebrations, Chhath Puja, mundan ceremonies, and traditions followed by newly married couples.

The daily arrival of the goddess at the outer temple at 5:00 AM and her return to the inner shrine at 12:30 PM give the temple a distinctive religious identity. For devotees seeking protection, family happiness, good health, and spiritual peace, a visit to Choti Beriya Temple offers a meaningful and devotional experience.