Janaki Mandir Janakpur

Janaki Mandir is a Hindu temple in Janakpurdham, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of Koiri Hindu architecture. Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,480 square metres (15,930 sq. feet) in the Mithila Kingdom, it is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble.

Janaki Mandir, also known as Janaki Temple, is a sacred Hindu temple located in Janakpurdham, Nepal. It holds immense historical and cultural importance as it is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, according to Hindu mythology.

The walls of the temple have beautiful Mithila (Madhubani) paintings. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, coloured glass, engravings, and paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets. According to legends and epics, King Janak ruled Videha Kingdom from this part of Janakpur which stood as first capital city of Mithila during the Ramayana period. His daughter Janaki (Sita), during her swayambar (marriage), had chosen Lord Rama as her husband and become the queen of Ayodhya. Their marriage ceremony had occurred in the 5th Century constructed ancient Vivaha Mandap attached to this temple, which was later reconstructed for repair by Amar Singh Thapa. The site was designated as a UNESCO tentative site in 2008.

History

It is one of the renowned Hindu temples which is dedicated to Hindu Goddess Sita. It is also named as Nau Lakha Mandir by the locals as the cost for the construction of the temple was nine lakhs. Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh, India built the temple in 1911 AD. It is constructed in the mixed style of Mughal and Hindu architecture. It is a three-storied structure and it is made entirely of stone and marble. There are 60 rooms that are decorated with flag of Nepal, colored glass, engravings and Mithila paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets. In 1657, a golden statue of the Goddess Sita was found and Sita is said to have lived there. Janaki or Sita, had chosen Lord Rama as her husband during her engagement.

Their marriage ceremony had occurred in the nearby temple which is called as Vivaha Mandap. Pilgrims and travelers from all the corners of the world visit this sacred Hindu Temple especially during November and December for Vivah Panchami. It is the city’s annual festival in which the marriage of Sita and Rama is celebrated with numerous sacred rites and rituals. During the festival, the temple is decorated with special arts, lights and bhajans are sung daily. We can experience the euphoric as well as the spiritual atmosphere around the temple’s premises.

As of 26 April 2015, the temple is reported to have partly collapsed from the earthquake in April 2015.

Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands of pilgrims from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and other countries visit Ram Janaki Temple to worship Lord Ram and Sita. Many worshippers visit the temple during the festivals of Ram Nawami, Vivaha Panchami, Dashain and Tihar.