Janakpur is also known as Janakpurdham has been mentioned in Ramanayana as birthplace
of goddess Sita. Janakpur is situated in Nepal and is just 20 kilometers from the Indian
border and can be easily reached by car. It is a beautiful, calm place, located in the foothills of Himalaya. It is forested and marshy
terrain at the base of the Himalaya mountain range with few rivers
like Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Balan and Kamala crossing the area at various
places. It is famous for its temples and the numerous ponds of religious
importance.
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| Janakpur Main Temple, Nepal |
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| Janakpuri Main Temple, Nepal |
The city is famous for Ram Janaki Temple
which is in the center of the city that draws allusions to the famous Hindu
epic Ramayana. Statues of
Rama and his half-brothers Lakshman, Bharat and Satrughna stand by Sita. Early
evenings are the best times to visit, for then the temple is lit with colorful
lights and filled with hundreds of pilgrims expressing devotion for Sita and
Rama. The temple is particularly popular with women, who wear their best
clothes when visiting the shrine. Adjacent to the Janaki Mandir is the Rama
Sita Bibaha Mandir, a building that marks the place where Rama and Sita were
married.
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| Ram & Sita Statues at Janakpuri Temple, Nepal |
September to April is pleasant and
several festivals fall during this period. Regular bus / Car services are
available from Kathmandu and other Indian cities. Tens of thousands
of pilgrims visit Janakpur to pay homage to Sita at the time of Vivah Panchami,
the marriage day of Sita and Ram (the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha or waxing
phase of moon in November/December) and on Ram Navami.
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| Janakpuri Temple, Nepal |
Another important religious site nearby
is Dhanushadham, its reference again dating back to the Ramayan era. It is
believed to be the place where the broken remains of the divine Shiva bow fell
after Ram broke it to obtain Sita's hand in marriage.
If you are visiting Bihar than Janakpur
should be in your itinerary list.
Tourist Services:
Luxury hotels to budget accommodation and food
facilities are available in Janakpur city. Dharamshalas (accommodation for
pilgrims) are also available. Food is delicious with Indian touch. Varieties of
sweets and vegetarian specialties are available. Other tourist facilities are
also available in Janakpur city