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Voykit pocket guide · India
Sitamarhi
One day covers the main temples and market; add a night if you prefer a relaxed pace or want to catch evening aarti.
Sitamarhi is a small town in Bihar’s Gangetic Plains, about 120 km from Patna. Its key sights are clustered near the railway station, making a half‑day walk feasible. A single night lets you explore the market and attend temple rituals without rush.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- May–Jul (heat, occasional floods)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / All services 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea (street stall) | ₹10–₹20 |
| Balusahi sweet | ₹30–₹50 |
| Chicken dish at IStoo House | ₹120–₹180 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PAT · Patna Airport
- 120 km (75 mi), 2–2.5 h by bus or train75 mi (120 km), 2–2.5 h by bus or train
Typical fares
- Patna → Sitamarhi bus
- ≈₹350, 2–2.5 h (check)
- Rickshaw 5 km
- ≈₹150
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Cycle rickshaws are the most common; shared three‑wheelers and buses run from the railway and bus terminals. The town centre is walkable.
See and do
Known for
- Janaki Temple
- Haleshwar Sthan
- Baghi Math
- local jewellery (Sona Patti)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Janaki Temple, Punaura | Local rickshaw, ~5 km (3.1 mi) west of townLocal rickshaw, ~3.1 mi (5 km) west of town | ≈15 min |
| Haleshwar Sthan | Rickshaw, 3 km (1.9 mi) northwestRickshaw, 1.9 mi (3 km) northwest | ≈10 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Rajkumar
- Bypass Chowk, basic rooms, walk to railway station
- Hotel Aashirwad
- Near Old Ganesh Talkies, budget-friendly
- Hotel Sitayan
- Close to railway station, simple amenities
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is it? | यह कितना है?yeh kitna hai? |
| Where is the railway station? | रेलवे स्टेशन कहाँ है?railway station kahaan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Heat in summer; carry water.
- Limited English signage; ask locals for directions.
- Pickpocketing can occur in crowded markets; keep valuables secure.
Sitamarhi is generally safe for day visits; stay alert in crowded markets, keep valuables hidden, and avoid isolated streets after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Sitamarhi yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Janaki Temple
- Haleshwar Sthan
- Baghi Math
- local jewellery (Sona Patti)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Sitamarhi, revision 5128078 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5128078
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Sitamarhi
इस पते पर ले चलिए
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / All services112
US consulate is in Patna; Indian visa info at /india/visa-requirements
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/sitamarhi). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.