Located in south central Nepal Janakpur is revered as a birthplace of Janaki or Sita, consort of Lord Rama. It is one of the important pilgrimage for hindu devotees and very appropriate place to look into ancient hindu culture. In ancient times, Janakpur was the capital city of the Kingdom of Mithila and the centre of Maithil culture during the Treta Yug, or period, nearly 12,000 years ago.
Janaki Mandir
Janakpur has important religious important for Thai royal families. Thai royal family still receives mangoes from orchards of Janakpur.
Janaki Mandir:
The Janaki Temple built in 1874 with blend of Mughal and local architecture is named after daughter of king Janak. It is one of the magnificient temple in Nepal and attracts great many pilgrims from all over India and world. The temple is three-storey high incorporating 60 rooms.The temple houses an idol of Sita which was found near Ayodhya, the kingdom of Ram. The marriage anniversary of Lord Rama and Sita is celebrated in Janakpur every year on Vivah Panchami day which falls in December.
In the southwest corner of Janaki Mandir is the Vivah Mandap. The site is believed to have been the place where the marriage of Ram and Sita took place. Another well-known temple in the vicinity is Ram Mandir, built in pagoda style, and hence is different from the other temples in Janakpur which generally bear resemblance to Mughal architecture. It houses a female statue, said to be of Yogamaya, which has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful images of female forms in Nepal. Other holy sites of interest include the Laxman Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple and Hanuman Temple.
The Mithila region prides itself in having a large number of ponds. Janakpurdham is said to have as many as 115 ancient ponds of historical and mythological importance. Among the ponds, Ganga Sagar, Parshuram Kunda and Dhanusha Sagar are held extremely sacred.
Mithila Culture:
Mithila culture is found in the Terai region of Nepal such as the Janakpur region and also found all the way upto the Northern Bihar state of India. As legend has it Janakpur was capital of Mithila state headed by King Janak, goddess Sita father. Often Sita is known by many names such as Janaki or Mythili. Mithila culture is rich with its own language known as Maithili, and with its own traditions, customs, arts and music. Many Mithila arts and paintings have historical and religious meanings, such arts are produced by many villagers specifically women’s draw paintings having colorful and thought provoking objects such as animals, Gods and Goddess which are painted on the walls of homes using simple colors such as clays and mud.
Mithila paintings