Mata Janki Temple, Janakpurdham (Janakpur), Dhanusha, Nepal.

Mata Janki Temple, Janakpurdham (Janakpur), Dhanusha , Nepal

Location

Mata Janki temple is located at Janakpur (also called Janakpurdham), district Dhanusha in Nepal. It is an important tourist destination in tarai plain of Himalaya.

Janki Temple

The temple is situated in the centre of the town. Janakpur is called DHAM indicating this religious place in the category of Hindu pilgrimage.

As he name indicates, this temple is dedicated to Mata Janki (Sita), who was the consort of Lord Rama. Janki temple is regarded as the most important religious site of the town. Janakpur is also characterised by the presence of numerous ponds and are considered sacred. At present most of them dried up or were encroached due to mismanaged urbanization, killing the beauty of the ancient heritage.This historical town houses many ancient temples,monasteries, arts and crafts of many deities.

The temple is also known as Naulakha temple as nine lakhs rupees of that time was the construction cost of the temple.

Importance of this Region

Janakpur is the region from where the famous Mithila culture originated. In the ancient time Janakpur was the capital of the Mithila kingdom, ruled by King Janak who was also named as Videha.

This place is rich in terms of cultural and religious heritages from the ancient time. It is known as the birthplace of Mata Sita. Mithila is deeply associated with our Hindu holy epic Ramayana.

Mithila has given many legend like Vidyapati, Mandan Mishra, Nagarjuna. Madhubani paintings  of Mithila is famous world wide. The spoken Maithili is heart touching with pleasant in hearing even without knowing the meaning. Chhat Puja (worshiping Sun God) was originated from Mithila.

A Saint Shurkishore Das Nepali was the founder of modern Janakpur. He was a great poet and devotee of Goddess Sita. He wrote Sita upnishad which contains the process of Puja and rituals.

About the Temple

The kingdom of Nepal and Queen Vrish Bhanu of Tikamgarh provided aid to Gorkha soldier General Amar Singh Thapa to build the temple in 1910 AD. It is called that Goddess Sita was found from the earth at the very spot and to commemorate her birth a temple was constructed at this place.

The architects of the temple resembles to Mogul – Rajput architecture style in Nepal. The huge temple has 60 rooms, stages, prayer rooms,stores, and sitting rooms. Fully built in bright white marble and constructed in the area of 4860 sft. The domes of the temple are in mixed style of Islamic and Rajput culture. It is a three story temple being 50 m in height.

All the rooms inside the temple are well decorated .The temple is adorned with artistic engravings, paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets.

The sactum houses the idols of Lord Rama, Mata Sita and other related deities..

Legend

The legend is narrated in Hindu epic Ramayana. According to it Mata Janki is described as the daughter of Earth Goddess and adopted by King Janak and Queen Sunaina.

King Janak found her while ploughing as a part of Yagna. Mata Janki is also known as Vaidehi, Maithili, Sita and she is the central female character in Hindu epic Ramayana. Lord Ram is supposed to be the Avatar of Lord Vishnu and Sita as Avatar of Mata Lakshmi.

Sita is an ideal example of dedication, self sacrifice, courage and purity. According to Rigveda Sita is a Goddess who blesses the land with good crop.

Festivals

There are many festivals organised here in which the devotees from India Nepal and locals gathers in large numbers. The main festivals are -Ram Noami - is the birthday of Lord Ram, Vivah Panchami – the day commemorates the marriage of Lord Ram and Mother Sita 

The idol of Ram and Sita in the form of a procession is circulated around the town with joy and vigour. The devotees in thousands from India and Nepal participate in these procession every year.

Best time to visit

September to March is the best season to visit Janakpur as the weather is pleasant and several festivals fall during this period.

Places to Visit Nearby

Ratna Sagar Temple

Ratna Sagar pond is situated at a walking distance from Ramanand chowk, a landmark of the town. It is supposed to be the most sacred pond having a beautiful garden all around. Ratnasagar temple is on the bank of the pond in which beautiful idols of Ram-Sita are installed.

Shri Sankatmochan Temple

At a distance of 10 Mt's walk, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is famous in the surrounding area. The people believe that worshipping at the temple fulfils the desire of the devotees.

Dulha Dulhi Temple

[ Ram Sita as Bride-Groom ]

The idols of deities Ram Sita in form of bride- groom is installed here.The idols are kept in a huge glass box looks attractive.

Ram Mandir

The temple is located in between Janki temple and Dhanush Sagar. Huge fairs are organised here on Ram Nawami, Vivah Panchami and Chhat Puja.

Vivah Mandapam

This is the place where marriage ceremony is celebrated every year on Vivah Panchami. 

[ Vivah Mandapam ]

Dhanusha Dham

A huge rock, in the shape of a part of a bow is believed to be the part of the broken Shiv Dhanush. There is also a huge pond here called Dhanush Sagar

How To Reach

By Rail

[ Janakpur Railway Train as usually seen ]

Jaynagar is a railway station of Indian railway connecting Delhi and rest of India. From Jaynagar a narrow gauge train for Janakpur is operational being the only train connecting India and Nepal. Travelling by this train may be a unique experience in one's life.

By air

Janakpur has a domestic airport with most of the flights connects it to Kathmandu.

By Road

Nepal has good roads. One can enter Nepal by any check post on the boarder. Buses from every major cities of Nepal are available for janakpur.

Where To Stay

Janakpur has many good hotels and restaurants which offers food and accommodation on genuine rates. Some of them are- Hotel Manaki, Hotel Welcome, Hotel Rama, Hotel Sita Palace, Hotel Adarsh, Hotel Sitasaran, Hotel Janki Batika Palace.etc.

There are also cheaper lodges and Dharamshalas, available for stay. Pagal Baba Dharmshala is famous one at Janakpur.

Angrabadi Temple (Amreshwar Dham), Khunti, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Angrabadi (Amreshwar Dham )Temple, Khunti, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

Location

Angarabadi Temple is located in a village near Khunti, a district HQ of Jharkhand and only 35 km away from the State capital Ranchi on Khunti – Torpa road.

[ Angrabadi Temple] 

[ Temple Campus ] 

Khunti is a new district carved from Ranchi district, is a terrorist effected area. For the fast development and to control the terrorist activity it was felt necessary to make it an independent district.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shivlingam is situated in a hollow space of a mango tree. It is believed to be a self created Lingam by the locals.

Sage Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati renamed the temple as Amreshwar Dham.

The temple campus is very specious and houses, small temples of Lord Rama - Sita, Lord Hanuman, Lord Ganesha and other Gods.

The campus comprises of several big and small trees giving peace to your eye and heart. It is popular among the locals due to its spiritual enrichment and natural beauty.

In the Hindi month Shrawan large numbers of devotees from Ranchi visits the temple  carrying water from Swarnarekha river and offer it on Lingam. Many of them cover the distance bare footed. The numbers of devotees are increasing day by day.

On Mahashivratri the temple witnesses large gathering of devotees from different regions of Jharkhand.

Popular Places of Khunti

Khunti is a place situated in the lap of nature and have many falls parks, picnic spots, falls and many places of tourist importance. Some of them are - 

Panchghagh Waterfall

[Panchghagh Water Fall]

It is located at a distance of approx 15 km from Khunti on Khunti – Chaibasa road. There are five streams of water looks like ornament on the body of the hill. The river generating water fall is known as Banai river.

The site around this fall is a beautiful picnic spot. The tourist enjoys a unique experience of bath in gushing water. There is a proper cemented pathway constructed by the tourism department to reach very near to the flowing water.

Hirni Fall

It is at a distance of 20 km from district headquarter Khunti. It is a beautiful spot favoured by nature with a dense forest and greenery, The height of the water cascade is 120 ft. Although the fall is small one but is in a dense forest adding to the aura of peace and tranquillity to ones experience. 

Deer Park

On the half way from Ranchi to Khunti, the Deer Park is situated. It is surrounded by the forest, is a picturesque site. The Park is beautifully developed by the tourism department with gardens, Jhoola, Sliders for children.  Tea, coffee and break fast are available in the restaurant. It is a beautiful park a few kilometer away from Ranchi. People of Ranchi prefer to come here on Sunday or holiday.

Perwaghagh

It is one of the most beautiful water fall in Jharkhand hidden in the lush green forest and very near to Torpa block of Khunti district. In New year and Chris mas it is the most liked place of picnic.

How to Reach

By Rail

Khunti is not connected by railway network. Ranchi is the nearest rail head. Ranchi is well connected by railway network to major cities of India.

By Air

Nearest airport is Birsa Munda Airport Ranchi only 30 kms away from Khunti. Taxis are available at airport. 

By Road

Khunti is well connected by road from all major cities of Jharkhand and roads are good.

Where to Stay

Ranchi is the state capital of Jharkhand. There are many hotels of every budget are available here for comfortable stay.

Mata Deori Temple, Tamar village,Bundu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Maa Deori Temple, Tamar village, Bundu, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India

Location

Mata Deori temple is located in village Tamar near Bundu subdivision of district Ranchi (Jharkhand) on Ranchi -Tata road at a distance of 70 km from Ranchi. It is almost the midpoint and almost equidistant from Ranchi orTata. 

[ Deori Mandir ] 

[ Tieing Sacred Thread ]

The temple is situated just on road side, hence easily approachable and one can park the vehicle very near to the temple.

The main Deity inside the temple is Mata Deori, believed to be the incanation of Mata Durga. Normally Maa Durga is Ashta bhuja Goddess but Mata Deori is a Goddess having sixteen arms (Solahbhuja devi as named among the locals ). The idol is small in size and said to be 700 yrs old. It is believed that the original temple was built by the tribal having walls and pillars made of sand stone. The head priest of the temple is a tribal with five tribal priests with him.

Perhaps this is the only temple where tribal priests known as PAHAN performs Puja and rituals and offer prayers.

 The deity of the temple is believed to be very powerful and praying her with true devotion fulfils the desires of her devotees. The devotees ties yellow and red sacred threads on bamboos for the fulfilment of their desire. After fulfilment they again come to the temple and untie the thread. Prasad and Puja materials are available in shops outside the temple.

Renovation

The original temple which was in time worn condition due to negligence from a decade is now being renovated.

This all happened due to the belief and devotion of M. S. DHONI towards Maa Deori. According to Manoj Panda the footfall numbers of the devotees increased amazingly from 50 per day to 1500 per day, increasing the income of the temple. Apart from the temple income donations received by the VIP’S and Mahi is being used to renovate the temple. 

The new structure is being constructed  includes domes and sculpted with colourful artistic images of Gods and Goddesses, keeping the original temple intact. Artists from Odisha are working and carving out the images giving special effect.

Jharkhand State Tourism Department have acquired one acre of land for the beautification of the surrounding of the temple. An ATM has come up to cater to the needs of the devotees.

Devotion of M S Dhoni

The captain of the Indian cricket team Mr Dhoni is an ardent devotee of Deori Mata. He visits the temple whenever he comes to Ranchi. He used to visit the temple from his school time.

A fruit seller recall the time, when Dhoni used to come here as an unknown personality a decade ago. But now he comes as a star in his SUV car. Is it not a big change,I think all this happens by the blessings of Mata.                       

[ Mahi at Deori Temple ]

Now many VIP like congress M.P.Sri S. K. Sahay and former C. M.Sri Arjun Munda are among the regular visitors. The Pandas of the temple accept it as the charisma of Mr Dhoni for increasing numbers of foot falls to the temple. Narsingh Panda, the president of Deori Mandir Puja Samittee agrees ‘ Dhoni has turned around our fate after 2004.'

Places to Visit Nearby

There are many falls, temples and tourist places nearby Ranchi. But on the way to Deori temple one can visit a few without devoting extra time.

Sun Temple

The sun temple is situated on the way to Deori temple near Bundu on NH 33. It is an elegant Sun temple fashioned in the form of a huge chariot with artistically decorated 18 wheels and seven life sized horse looks ready to move. It is really worth visiting.

[ Sun Temple ]

Dasam Fall

Dasam Fall is located near a village Taimara in Bundu subdivision of Ranchi. The tourist visiting Deori Mandir muset are adviced to visit Dasam Fall. It is only 45 mts drive from Deori.

Water falls from a height of 144 ft. it is also called the small version of Niagra Fall.

[ Dasam Fall] 

Where to Stay

Ranchi or Jamshedpur is the most suitable place to stay. Hotels and rest house of every budget are available for a comfortable stay. There are many line hotels and restaurants on the road side for lunch or breakfast.

How to Reach

By Air

Ranchi and Jamshedpur are the nearest airport. From the airport one can hire a taxi for Deori temple.

By Rail

Ranchi and Jamshedpur both cities are well connected by railway. Super fast trains are available from Delhi Kolkata and major cities of India.
By Road

Jharkhand has now good roads. All types of buses are available from major cities of Jharkhand and Bihar are available for Ranchi.
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