Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various destinations for holistic living. One such place is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, which provides a serene environment for individuals seeking a holistic lifestyle. If you are planning to visit Shekhawati, consider staying at Piramal Haveli for a comfortable accommodation experience. For a luxurious pilgrimage, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa in the city of Pushkar is a great option. Experience the vibrant Lucknow life by staying at Clarks Awadh. Janakpur Dham, the venue of Ram Janaki's wedding, is an ancient capital of Mithila that now falls within the political boundaries of Nepal but still holds cultural significance in Mithilanchal. This district, which includes Janakpur, is called Dhanush, named after the bow that was broken during the Ramayana era.
The story of Ramayana revolves around two journeys, known as Yatras. The second journey, in which Sri Ram travels southwards and engages in a battle with Ravana of Lanka, is the more well-known and widely remembered by the public.
He embarks on his initial journey to Janakpur alongside his mentor Vishwamitra. It is in a garden there that he encounters Sita Ji for the first time. Afterwards, he successfully breaks the Dhanush of Shiva in order to earn the privilege of marrying Sita. Alongside his three brothers, he becomes wedded to Sita and her three sisters in Janakpur.
Goswami Tulsidas provided a detailed description of the wedding between Sri Ram and Janaki in his book Ramcharitmanas. The festival of Vivah Panchami, which commemorates the date of their wedding, is still celebrated in Janakpur and Ayodhya.
The tale of Ma Sita begins when Raja Janak of Mithila discovered her in a field after performing a worship to Haleshwar Mahadev. The location of this event is now known as Sitamarhi. Sita was then brought up in the palace of Raja Janak in Janakpur.
During the preparations for her wedding, Raja Janak declared that anyone who could successfully break Shiva's bow, known as the Dhanush, would be granted the opportunity to marry Sita. The day before the Swayamvara, which is the ceremony where the groom is chosen, Sita and Sri Ram coincidentally crossed paths in a garden. Although they did not exchange any words, they both felt a strong connection and understood that they were destined to be together.
Sita offers her prayers to Gauri or Parvati and quietly expresses her desire to marry Sri Ram. As fate would have it, Sri Ram successfully breaks the bow and they are wedded. In addition, his brothers Bharat, Lakshman, and Shatrughan also marry Sita's sisters Mandovi, Urmila, and Shrutikirti, respectively.
The intricate traditions of a wedding in the Maithili culture are connected to the story of the Ramayana, just like the welcoming nature of Janak. The women of Mithila feel proud that Sri Ram is their son-in-law and enjoy playfully teasing him. The folk songs of Mithila also commemorate this special bond.
I had always wanted to visit Janakpur Dham after my exploration of Ayodhya and translation of the Ayodhya Mahatmya. I have visited many places connected to the Ramayana, including various sites in Sri Lanka, but I had yet to visit Mithila for a long time.
Before, I had seen pictures of a massive temple dedicated to Janaki in Janakpur. However, now there is another equally magnificent temple being constructed for Janaki in Ayodhya. It made me realize that it was about time to visit her temple in her original birthplace.
The temple is enormous and it immediately brought to mind the Haveli of Srinathiji in Nathdwara. The architectural style of Rajasthan is clearly visible upon first glance. I attempted to find a connection between the two, but it was during a conversation with the priest at this temple that I discovered it was actually built by the saints of Galata Ji temple in Jaipur.
The temple, known as Naulakha Mandir, was constructed in 1910 CE by Rani Vrish Bhanu of Tikamgarh, who spent approximately nine lakh gold coins for its construction. It was built on the site where a golden statue of Ma Sita was found in the 17th CE. According to the UNESCO website, the oldest sections of the temple can be traced back to the 11th and 12th CE.
Outside the main entrance of the temple, there is a spacious area covered in white marble. As you approach the door, you respectfully remove your shoes. The surroundings are bustling with devotees, among them numerous newly married couples dressed in their elegant wedding attire.
Upon entering Janakpur Dham, one immediately encounters a stunning temple situated within a spacious courtyard. The temple is encircled by a corridor that runs along all sides, resembling the architectural style of a Shekhawati Haveli.
The white temple is adorned with lively and vivid colors. As I ascended the temple steps, I was greeted with the magnificent sight of the Ram Darbar. The four brothers and their four wives from Mithila were all present, showcasing their splendor. On the day of my visit, the golden shringar enhanced the temple's ambiance with its radiant glow.
The first floor of the temple corridor is home to a cultural museum that narrates the story of Sita. This museum includes dioramas that visually portray different parts of the story. One particular highlight is the Badhai Geet, which is played when visitors reach the scene depicting Sita's birth. However, the most famous and celebrated moment in the museum is the depiction of Sri Ram breaking the Dhanush.
Various dresses and pieces of jewelry belonging to Sita Ma are being showcased.
The walls surrounding the area are adorned with Mithila or Madhubani Paintings, which usually illustrate the wedding ceremonies of Ram Janaki. However, there is also an intriguing painting called Mithila Parikrama Dola, which showcases the path of the parikrama that encircles Janakpur. Additionally, there are paintings that portray the everyday activities of the locals, such as an ironsmith at work.
After leaving the museum, you emerge onto the temple's rooftop. From this vantage point, you can admire a complete panoramic view of the temple situated in the center. This spot is highly popular among visitors for capturing picturesque photographs.
The Saligrama Mandir is a temple that is well-known for its use of Saligrama stones, which are sourced from the Gandaki river in Nepal. Interestingly, the stone used to create the Sri Ram Murti at the new temple in Ayodhya was also obtained from Janakpur. If you visit the temple complex, you will notice a large Shila that resembles the one used in the construction of the temple.
Inside the temple, there is a special room designated for the preservation of countless Saligramas. These sacred stones are stored in a multi-tiered container, which can only be observed through a mesh. Even in complete darkness, one can marvel at the diverse range of shapes and sizes that the Saligrama stones come in.
Every day, these beings are revered and honored, as shown by the presentation of newly picked flowers. Certain individuals among them are even embellished with adornments such as jewelry and garments.
The Ram Dhun, a religious song dedicated to Lord Ram, is being sung continuously at an outdoor platform near the Saligrama room, similar to how it is performed at the temples in Ayodhya.
One can easily participate and chant the Ram Naam, which is considered the easiest form of worship, particularly in the present age of Kaliyuga.
Located within the temple complex but separate from the main temple, there is a Vivah Mandap. This structure has a sloping roof in the Nepalese style and is essentially an open pavilion. Inside, there is a depiction of a royal wedding scene.
There are four small temples located on each corner of the platform, which are dedicated to the four royal couples who were married at this location. Without the names mentioned on the temples, it would be difficult to determine which temple belongs to which couple.
Take a stroll through the Janaki Mandap and the garden surrounding the temple. Make a stop at the Gau Shala where you have the opportunity to feed the cows if you wish.
On one of the platforms, there is a visible trail of footprints. These footprints represent the path taken by the Utsav Murtis when they go out for parikrama.
In the area, there is a compact temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. Inside the temple, there is a unique arrangement of eleven lingas, which are symbolic representations of Shiva, all gathered together in
The Janaki Mandir in Janakpur hosts various festivals throughout the year, with the most significant one being Vivah Panchami. This festival, which takes place on the fifth day of the bright half of the Nepali month of Margsheesh, holds great importance as it commemorates the wedding that occurred in Janakpur.
The festival of Ram Navami, which commemorates the birth of Sri Ram and takes place on the ninth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, is observed with immense enthusiasm. I had the opportunity to visit the temple a few days prior to Ram Navami, and it was evident that preparations were in full swing for the upcoming celebration.
Dashain, also known as Dussehra, is a significant celebration in Nepal. If you want to know more about this festival, you can find detailed information in our book titled "Navaratri – When Devi Comes
Janakpur, similar to Ayodhya, is a city abundant with temples and ponds. In fact, there are approximately 70 ponds scattered throughout the region. Additionally, there are numerous temples that visitors can explore in Janakpur.
The Ram Mandir is a small temple situated near the Janaki temple and across from the Dhanush Sagar pond. Constructed by Amar Singh Thapa, this temple showcases stunning Nepali architectural style. The temple's exquisite wood carved panels are sure to captivate anyone who visits.
There are several Shivalingas surrounding the Ram Mandir. Additionally, there is a representation of the Devi in the form of a Pindi.
During my visit, I encountered a gathering of women who were engaged in singing Bhajans.
The Raj Debi Temple is positioned adjacent to the Ram Mandir and is specifically devoted to the Kuldevi of Janaka, known as Raj Debi. Situated in a corner of the spacious courtyard, the temple is accompanied by a triangular Yagna kunda. The presence of lions along the pathway signifies that Raj Debi is regarded as a manifestation of Durga.
Located between Janaki Mandir and Ram Mandir, there is a vibrant orange temple situated in the middle of the road. This temple is specifically devoted to Raja Janak, also known as the king of Janakpur. Raja Janak is referred to as Rajrishi, which means the Saint King.
The Lakshman Mandir is situated at the very beginning of the Janaki Mandir.
Janakpur has several other temples apart from the mentioned ones, such as the Sankat Mochan Temple that is devoted to Hanuman ji, the Kapileshwar Temple, and the Bhootnath Mandir.
Janakpur's Ponds
Gangasagar is situated near Vivah Mandap, just across the road. According to local belief, the water in this pond was brought all the way from the sacred Ganga river.
The name "Ram
Dhanush Sagar is situated in proximity to the Ram Mandir.
Ratna Sagar is
Dashrath Kund is a
Kamal Kund is a
Sita Maiyya, please clap your hands.
The Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a significant temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva. It is situated approximately 16 kilometers away from Janakpur, along the route to Sitamarhi.
Dhanush Dham is a sacred site located about 24 km North East of Janakpur. It is dedicated to the broken bow of Shiva, which was shattered by Sri Ram. To visit this site, it is advisable to stay in Janakpur.
Parikrama is a religious practice known as Panch Kosi Parikrama, which involves circling around the Janakpur Dham. While this Parikrama can be undertaken on any day, it is commonly performed by devoted individuals on the occasion of Holika Dahan.
Due to lack of time, I was unable to visit the Gangasagar Public Library and Handicrafts Museum, which are also worth seeing.
If you are planning to travel to Janakpur Dham, it is important to note that the nearest airport and train station is located in Darbhanga, which is approximately a two-hour drive away. Alternatively, Janakpur also has its own airport, providing connections to Kathmandu within Nepal.
The time it takes to cross the border varies from 20 to 40 minutes, which depends on the amount of traffic present. If you are traveling to Janakpur, you have
The currency used in Janakpur is the Indian currency.
There are not many choices for food, but there are plenty of sugary treats and fresh fruits to choose from. The temple holds a bhandara, or community meal, every day during lunchtime, and you are invited to enjoy a meal
It is recommended to allocate approximately 2-3 hours in order to fully enjoy and explore the attractions I have
I came across your article on Janakpur Dham and the Janaki Temple in Nepal, and I have to admit, it caught my interest. Your brief but insightful explanations of the temple and its importance created a clear image in my head. I appreciate you sharing this remarkable cultural treasure!
This blog is truly amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the story of Ramayana. Thanks to your blog, I was able to easily comprehend the tale of Ram and Sita.
Please click on the cancel button if you wish to leave a comment. Also, please remember to save my name, email, and website in this browser for future comment submissions.
In this code snippet, we are using the `getElementById` method to select an element with the ID "ak_js_1" from the document. Then, we are using the `setAttribute` method to set the value attribute
Get updates
Trending articles
Understanding the economic significance of the Mahua flower in Chhattisgarh
A comprehensive guide to the traditional festivals in Hong Kong by month
Exploring George Calombaris' appearance on MasterChef Australia in Colombo
Discovering Hua Hin, a luxurious coastal town in Thailand
Unveiling the top tourist attractions in Pelling, West Sikkim
Categories
Related blogs
