get variable in ejs on submit on same page

getting data from post

app.post("/places", function(req, res) {
//Get all places from the DB
Place.find({}, function(err, places) {
    if(err) {
        console.log(err);
    } else {
        res.render("/places", {places: places});        
    }
});
});

i want something like if(variable is passed then below code will work on same page) otherwise i face errors "undefined variable places" if i render to a new page, get that variable it works fine, but i want on same page

 // ejs file
 <div class="row text-center">
     <% places.forEach(function(place) { %>
    <div class="col-md-4 col-sm-6">
        <div class="thumbnail">
            <img src="<%= place.image %>">
            <div class="caption">
                <h5><strong><%= place.name %></strong></h5>     
            </div>  
        </div>
    </div>
    <% }); %>       
</div>