Jankpur

 

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Janakpur

janakpur is the capital of the ancient  state of Mithila and the Janaki Temple, located in the center of the city is well known in the Hindu kingdom . Sita is the wife of  the legendary hero Ram who was born in  Janakpur through out the year, many pilgrimes come to pay: their respects to Ram and sita who are the main religious attraction in Janakpur. The city is thronged by worshipers and visitors a like especially during the festival of Bibah panchami . This annual festival is celebrated on the occasions of Ram and Sita's marriage and their wedding ceremony is enacted throughout the week. During this period the city enlivened by the wedding festivities.

Ram and Sita (Janaki) are the two central character of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. In the story, Ram strings a bow that originally belonged to lord shiva the Destroyer and in the process, the bow breaks into three pieces. one piece flies up to heaven. Another falls down into the depths of the underworld. Today, there is a huge pond called  Dhanush sagar above the very spot. The third piece lies to present day Dhanushadham, about 40 KM from Janakpur. There visitors will see huge rocks shaped liked a bow. Thus, after Ram's successful attempt to string the bow, Janaki's father, king Janak gives his daughter's hand in marriage to the brave prince of Ayodhya.

Dhanushadham

Dhanushadham, a historical and religious site, dates back to the time of the great epic- Ramayana. The Dhanusha Temple here was constructed in 1939 A.D. Located 18 km north-east of Janakpur in the south-central region of Nepal, Dhanushadham is said to be the place where Lord Rama had broken Shiva's divine bow in order to win the hand of Sita in marriage. The epic describes how one of the three pieces of the bow fell in the present day Dhanushadham; hence its religious significance. There is a large pond here and lovely walks around this site.

Source:Nepal Tourism Board

Video of Janakpur

source:- SANGRILA MAGAZINE

 JANAKPUR

a tryst with time- Janakpur is an experience of living traditions. Each of the innumerable temples, ponds, and lanes resound with the drama of mythology. The first ray of sunlight is welcomed with devotional songs dedicated to the Hindu god Rama. This is the land where Sita- the epitome of womanhood and wife of lord Rama was born. This is also the land that resounds with prayers, humans and chants in the glory of the legendary and divine love story of Rama and Sita.

Couples throng the temples for blessing and weddings take place in temple courtyards with the participation of all present, whether family or complete strangers. A sudden lull descends during noon when Janakpur goes into siesta. Evenings welcome spectacular sunsets. 

TEMPLES

Janki temple built in the architectural style of Rajasthan; the Janaki temple spreads dramatically across huge grounds. The temple is called the Naulakha Mandir, a name derived from its origins. Queen Brashbhunu Kunwari of Tikamgagh, India, built the temple more than a century ago at a cost of nine hundred thousand rupees (or rupees nine lakhs). Within the temple precincts are many other temple that are symbolically linked to this magnificent shrine. Outside numerous stalls selling flowers, fruits, sweets, bangles and vermillion create a fusion of sound and colour.

RAM MANDIR

a huge banyan tree with sacred thread tied around it catches the attention immediately upon entering the temple courtyard. Dedicated to lord Rama, the temple is built in pagoda style architecture. An adjoining courtyard resonates with Sanskrit verses that is part of the training of a young group of Brahmin scholars. 

VIVAH MANDAP

a visula enactment of the wedding ceremony of lord Rama with Sita in delicately hand crafted sculpture with great emphasis on detail. each pillar within the marriage canopy is painstakingly carved to bring alive moments of the royal wedding amidst deities, sages, kings and queens.

Numerous other temples built on the edges of ponds, amidst settlements, in bazaar cowks (market places)and bylanes beckon the visitor. to name a few are the temples of

Rajdevi, Lakshman, King Janak, king Dashrath, Sankat Mochan, Lord Shiva and hanuman.

PONDS

there are as many ponds as temples in Janakpur, locally called Sars, each with a historical and religious significance.

GANGASAGAR

the water of Gangasagar are believed to contain all the purity and holiness of major sacred Hindu rivers and seas. Built on the banks are various temples and shrines. The pond comes alive to prayers and ceremonies during the chhat festival throonged by pilgrims and devotees.

DHANUSHAKSHETRA SAR

The origin of this water body has an interesting history. The suitors for Sita's hand had to break lord Shiva's (one of the gods of the Hindu trident) bow. a task that many tried, but only lord Rama achieved. One of the pieces of the broken bow in believed to have fallen at the point creating the Dhanushkshetra pond. 

AGINIKUND

it is believed that Sita's father, king Janak held sacred ceremonies (Yagna) at the banks of this deep pond called Agnikund. There are many ancient temples located alongside the banks of this pond.

ART

Maithali art has caught the imagination of many worldwide. The life of mythological deities, religious ceremonies and incidents from daily life are captured on walls, handmade paper, pottery and cloth in varying hues and textures. Women excel in this art form and the Jankpur women's development center (tel: 521080) is worth a visit to explore the nuances of this art form. Products from this center, which supports the development of this art and works towards the empowerment of the local women, can be purchased in Katmandu at Hastakala or Mahaguthi, both located in Kupondole.

Janakpur

janakpur is the capital of the ancient  state of Mithila and the Janaki Temple, located in the center of the city is well known in the Hindu kingdom . Sita is the wife of  the legendary hero Ram who was born in  Janakpur through out the year, many pilgrimes come to pay: their respects to Ram and sita who are the main religious attraction in Janakpur. The city is thronged by worshipers and visitors a like especially during the festival of Bibah panchami . This annual festival is celebrated on the occasions of Ram and Sita's marriage and their wedding ceremony is enacted throughout the week. During this period the city enlivened by the wedding festivities.

Ram and Sita (Janaki) are the two central character of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. In the story, Ram strings a bow that originally belonged to lord shiva the Destroyer and in the process, the bow breaks into three pieces. one piece flies up to heaven. Another falls down into the depths of the underworld. Today, there is a huge pond called  Dhanush sagar above the very spot. The third piece lies to present day Dhanushadham, about 40 KM from Janakpur. There visitors will see huge rocks shaped liked a bow. Thus, after Ram's successful attempt to string the bow, Janaki's father, king Janak gives his daughter's hand in marriage to the brave prince of Ayodhya.