My first trip in Nepal was to Janakpur , the birth place of Goddess Janaki (Sita), daughter of King Janaka and wife of Lord Rama. Janakpur is located 128 km southeast of Kathmandu. It is closeby to Indian border Bhittamore, around 1 hour drive.Janakpur was the capital of the ancient state of Mithila, which used to be part of India. The Maithili language is spoken here. It has its own script
and is spoken by around two million people.
As Janakpur is the terai region of Nepal it’s too hot and humid with temperature of 45 degrees in summers. For the most part motorized traffic is banned from the city center and there is almost no tourist hustle. So it is a peaceful place. The main attraction of Janakpur is Janaki temple, Lord Hanuman’s (Bajranbali) wooden statue,Ram Mandir, Dhanus Sagar, Ganga Sagar and Sankat Mochan Temple. AnInternational Railway is situated at Janakpur. Two narrow-gauge lines end at Janakpur, one going east to Jaynagar, just over the Indian border, and the other northwest to Bijalpura. Both train lines are about 30km long. Taking a train is a nice way to see the countryside.
The BibhahaPanchami festival re-enacts the wedding of Rama and Sita. Over 100,000 pilgrims come for this festival. There is a procession with elephants, horses, and decorated chariots with beating drums. It is on the fifth day of the waxing moon in November or early December.
Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, in March-April, is an important festival that draws over 100,000 people. Dipawali in Oct/Nov is a festive time to visit. There is an annual one-day Parikrama (circumambulation) of the city on the full moon day of February/March. Many people offer
prostrated obeisances along the entire 8km route. It is at the same time as the Holi festival.The Janakpurdham/janakpur, an important tourist destination of Terai plain, is located in Dhanusa district of janakpur Zone within the Cenral Development Region. The historical town housing
ancient temples, monasteries, arts and craft of numerous deities is also regarded as an important center. The town that used to be the capital of the ancent Mithila kingdom is alos home to many important pilgrimage sites, Janakpur is the birthplace of the ideal woman of all Hindus, Mother Sita, consort of Lord Ram, the idea man. Each and every square of the town hosts at least on deity related to the epic Ramayana, which adds to the town’s attraction.
The huge Ram temple resembling the Mugal palaces of India has hundreds of rooms, stages, prayer rooms, store-rooms and sitting rooms. The temple adorned with exquisite artistry never fails to astonish the visitors. Apart from the Janaki temple, the Ram Mandir, Vivaha Mandap, Janak Mandir, Laxman temple, and the sarcred sagar (ponds) are the other holy sites.
There are wide range of hotels and lodges (inexpensive ones) so rest assured that you can test good food mostly the veggie. Day and night buses are available from Janakpur to Kathmandu.
Prepare yourselves with warm clothes in December and if you have decided to travel in other months, light clothes is a must.
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