Janakpur

Janakpurdham, is one of the historical and religious city of Nepal. Janakpur is situated Dhanusa District of the Janakpur Zone and has a population of approximately 80,000.The city is located about 400 km south-east of Kathmandu, 20 km from the Indian border.Janakpur has a substantial tourist industry due to its significance in the Hindu religion and is home to the only operational railway in Nepal.Janakpur, historically called Mithalanchal is the centre of the ancient Maithil culture, which has its own language and script.The most important historical reference to Mithila/Janakpur is in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama's wife Sita Devi (also called Janaki).Janakpur is located in the Terai. The major rivers surrounding Janakpur are Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Balan and Kamala. Janakpur is famous for its temples and the numerous ponds which carry significant religious importance.One can see all the six seasons in Janakpur. Basant ritu (Spring-February/March), Grisma ritu (Summer- April/May/June), Barsha ritu (Rainy - July/August), Sharad ritu (Autumn- September/October), Hemanta ritu (Autumn-winter: November/December), Shishir ritu (Winter: December/January). The best time to visit Janakpur is from September to March. The foreigner should visit Janakpur during deepawali (Laxmi pooja or Tihar in nepali or deewali in hindi). One should consult the Nepali people before planning. After six days of Deepawali, the chhath festival (worship of God Sun) is celebrated. Janakpur is famous for both festivals and one can have the opportunity of this beautiful festival only in Janakpurdham in Nepal and not in any other places either in Nepal or in India. This would be the lifetime memory for a foreigner.The centre of Janakpur is dominated by the impressive Janaki Mandir to the north and west of the bazaar. This temple, one of the biggest in Nepal, was built in 1898 by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarm.Major religious celebrations include the major Hindu festivals such as Diwali, and Dhashara followed by specacular Chhath Puja (worship to sun) 6 days after Diwali. On the full moon day of February/March before the festival of Holi, a one-day Parikrama (circumambulation) of the city is celebrated. Two other festivals honour Rama and Sita. Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama, in March-April, draws over 100,000 people. Over 100,000 pilgrims come for a procession with elephants, horses, and decorated chariots with beating drums.