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.