Janakpur Dham – Venue of Ram Janaki Marriage ceremony
Janakpur Dham is the traditional capital of Mithila. Right this moment, it falls inside the political boundaries of Nepal, however culturally it stays an integral a part of Mithilanchal. This district of Nepal that has Janakpur, is named Dhanush after the Dhanush or bow that was damaged right here in the course of the Ramayana period.
Ramayana and Janakpur
There are two Yatras or travels that kind the core of Ramayana story. Of those the later one the place Sri Ram travels southwards and fights with Ravana of Lanka is extra well-known within the public reminiscence.
The primary journey he does is to Janakpur along with his Guru Vishwamitra. That is the place in a backyard he first met Sita Ji. Then, he went on the break the Dhanush of Shiva to win Sita’s hand. He and his three brothers get married to Sita and her three sisters in Janakpur.
Goswami Tulsidas in Ramcharitmanas describe the marriage of Sri Ram and Janaki in nice particulars. Vivah Panchami, the date on which the marriage occurred remains to be celebrated as a competition in Janakpur in addition to in Ayodhya.
Story of Ma Sita
Sita was discovered within the area by Raja Janak of Mithila after he worshipped Haleshwar Mahadev. The place at this time is recognized as Sitamarhi. She was raised in his palace at Janakpur.
When it was time for her marriage, Raja Janak introduced that whoever can break the bow or Dhanush of Shiva will win the hand of Sita. A day earlier than the Swayamvara, or selecting of the groom, Sita ji and Sri Ram occurred to return throughout one another in a backyard. They don’t communicate however know that they’re meant to be collectively.
Sita prays to the Gauri or Parvati and silently tells her want to marry Sri Ram. As future would have it, Sri Ram broke the bow and was married to Sita. His brothers Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan have been respectively married to Sita’s sisters Mandovi, Urmila and Shrutikirti.
The flowery rituals of a Maithili wedding ceremony are part of the Ramayana story, as is the hospitality of Janak. Girls of Mithila take delight in the truth that Sri Ram is their son-in-law they usually have the correct to tease him. Folks songs of Mithila do have fun this relationship.
Janakpur Dham
Janakpur Dham was on my want checklist because the time I explored Ayodhya and translated Ayodhya Mahatmya. I’ve been to most locations related to Ramayana, together with most of Ramayana websites in Sri Lanka, however Mithila eluded me for a very long time.
I had seen visuals of an enormous Janaki temple in Janakpur. Now that and equally grand temple is arising for Janaki in Ayodhya, I feel it was time to see her temple in her maiden house.
Temple is big and instantly jogged my memory of the Haveli of Srinathiji in Nathdwara. The Rajasthani structure is clear within the first website. I attempted connecting the 2, nevertheless it was in a dialog with the priest right here that I learnt that certainly the temple was constructed by the saints of Galata Ji temple of Jaipur.
The temple can be referred to as Naulakha Mandir as Rani Vrish Bhanu of Tikamgarh spent near 9 lakh gold cash to construct this temple in 1910 CE. It was constructed at a spot the place a golden murti was Ma Sita was found within the 17th CE. As per the UNESCO website, the oldest elements of the temple date again to 11-12th CE.
There may be ample area with white marble floor outdoors the primary door of the temple. You are taking off your footwear and stroll to the door. The place is filled with devotees, together with many newly wed {couples} of their wedding ceremony finery.
Inside Janakpur Dham
As you step inside the primary door, you see a fantastic temple in the course of a courtyard. It’s surrounded by a operating hall on all sides, just about like a Shekhawati Haveli.
The temple in white is painted with shiny and vibrant colours. I climbed the steps of the temple and the Ram Darbar was proper in entrance of my eyes in full glory. You see all of the 4 brothers with their 4 wives from Mithila. The day I visited, it was a golden shringar that added its personal gentle to the aura.
Cultural Museum
A museum telling the story of Sita is housed on the primary ground of the temple hall. It has dioramas to depict the story. I cherished the Badhai Geet which might be performed if you attain the scene of Sita’s start. Breaking of Dhanush by Sri Ram stays probably the most celebrated scene right here.
There are clothes and jewelery of Sita Ma on show.
Surrounding partitions are made from Mithila or Madhubani Work. They usually depict the marriage rituals of Ram Janaki wedding ceremony. Nevertheless, Mithila Parikrama Dola was an attention-grabbing portray that depicts the parikrama path that goes round Janakpur. There are work depicting the every day life of individuals like ironsmith.
From the museum, you come out on the roof of the temple. From right here you get a full panoramic view of the temple within the center. It’s favourite place to click on footage.
Saligrama Mandir
Everyone knows that Saligrama stones come from Gandaki river in Nepal. The truth is, the shila or stone for the making of Sri Ram Murti at new temple in Ayodhya was additionally despatched from Janakpur. You possibly can see an analogous large Shila within the temple advanced.
A room within the temple is devoted to hundreds of thousands of Saligramas. They’re stored in a tiered container that may solely be considered by means of a mesh. You possibly can see Saligrama stones in pitch black, in all types of sizes and shapes.
They’re worshipped on daily basis as is clear from the recent flowers provided to them. A few of them are adorned with jewellery and garments.
Ram Sita Dhun
Identical to the temples of Ayodhya, Ram Dhun is repeatedly being sung at an open platform subsequent to the Saligrama room.
You possibly can take part and sing the Ram Naam, that’s the easiest option to worship, particularly on this Kaliyuga.
Ram Janaki Vivah Mandap
Inside the temple advanced however outdoors the boundary of primary temple, on a aspect is the Vivah Mandap. This construction with the slanting Nepalese roof is sort of an open pavilion. Inside it, you see the scene of royal wedding ceremony depicted.
On the 4 corners of the platform are 4 small temples devoted to the 4 royal {couples} who acquired marries right here. Bit for the names talked about on them, you wouldn’t be capable to make out which one belongs to whom.
Stroll across the Janaki Mandap and the temple backyard. Cease on the Gau Shala and you’ll feed the cows for those who like.
At one of many platforms, you may see the footprints. That is the place the Utsav Murtis are stored after they step out for parikrama.
There’s a small Shiva temple with Ekadash linga, i.e. 11 lingas collectively in pne Shivalinga.
Festivals at Janaki Mandir Janakpur
Vivah Panchami that’s celebrated on Margsheesh Shukla Panchmai is a very powerful competition right here. It’s apparent as Janakpur was the venue for this wedding ceremony.
Ram Navami, the start of Sri Ram, that falls on Chaitra Shukla Navami is well known with nice fervour. I visited the temple a number of days earlier than Ram Navami and the temple was on the brink of have fun it.
Dashain or Dussehra is a giant competition in Nepal. Learn extra about it in our ebook – Navaratri – When Devi Comes Home.
Different Temples in Janakpur
Identical to Ayodhya, Janakpur can be stuffed with temples and ponds. There are as amany as 70 ponds within the area. A few of the temples you can see
Ram Mandir
This small temple situated near Janaki temple and reverse Dhanush Sagar pond. Constructed by Amar Singh Thapa, extraordinarily stunning temple is made in typical Nepali structure. It has wooden carved panels that depart you mesmerized.
Surrounding the Ram Mandir there are various Shivalingas. There may be Devi current within the type of a Pindi.
After I visited, a gaggle of girls have been singing Bhajans.
Raj Debi Temple
Positioned proper subsequent to the Ram Mandir, this temple is devoted to the Kuldevi of Janaka referred to as Raj Debi Temple. It’s situated in a single nook of the big courtyard that has a triangular Yagna kunda. Lions guard the walkway, indicating her to be a Swaroop of Durga.
Janak Mandir
In between Janaki Mandir and Ram Mandir, proper in the course of the street is a temple in shiny orange. That is devoted to the king of Janakpur or Raja Janak. He’s referred to as Rajrishi or the Saint King.
Lakshman Mandir
It’s situated proper on the entrance of the Janaki Mandir.
Different temples in Janakpur embody Sankat Mochan Temple devoted to Hanuman ji, Kapileshwar Temple and Bhootnath Mandir.
Ponds of Janakpur
Gangasagar – situated near Vivah Mandap throughout the street. It’s believed that the water for this pond was introduced from Ganga.
Ram Sagar
Dhanush Sagar – Positioned near Ram Mandir
Ratna Sagar
Dashrath Kund
Kamal Kund
Sita Maiyya Taliayya
Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple – This is a crucial Shiva temple situated about 16 km from Janakpur on option to Sitamarhi.
Dhanush Dham – It’s devoted to the Shiva’s Dhanush or Bow that was damaged by Sri Ram. That is about 24 km North East of Janakpur. You would wish to remain in Janakpur to have the ability to go to it.
Parikrama
There’s a Panch Kosi Parikrama that goes across the Janakpur Dham. Though you are able to do this Parikrama any day, common devotees do it on the day of Holika Dahan.
You may as well see the Gangasagar Public library and Handicrafts museum that I needed to miss die to paucity of time.
Journey Ideas for Janakpur Dham
Janakpur is about 2 hours drive from Darbhanga, which is the closest airport and prepare station. On the Nepal aspect, there may be an airport at Janakpur that connects to Kathmandu.
Border crossing takes 20-40 minutes relying on the visitors. You possibly can take your private automobiles or taxis to Janakpur.
Indian foreign money works in Janakpur.
Meals choices are restricted, although numerous sweets and fruits can be found. The temple has a bhandara on a regular basis round lunch time and you’re welcome to eat there.
You want about 2-3 hours to comfortably see the issues I discussed.