Janakpur’s Temple

Janakpur teems with famous and attractive temples, shrines and ponds (kunds and sagars). These are vividly described in the Jain scripture, Mithila Tirthakalpa, Mithila Mahatmya and Bhoo 'Parikrama' written by the Great Maithil Poet Kokil Vidyapati in the 14th century:

Janaki Temple
Janaki Temple, popularly known as Naulakha, is the most renowned pilgrimage of Janakpur. The legend had it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas had found the images of Goddess Sita. In fact, Shurkishordas was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about the 'Sita - Upasana' philosophy. The present mahantha (chief or head) of the temple is the 14th descendant of the shishya (disciple-tradition). This temple was built by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarh (Central India) in AD 1911. It is originally an illustration of 'Hindu-Rajput' architecture with a blend of hte Moghul architecture. This is the only attractive model of hte Moghul architecture in Nepal. There is a grand Ram - Janki 'Vivah Mandap' is an excellent example of Neplease architecture. It has several panoramic and standard roof structures in the form of mandaps (pavilions)

propped on the smooth and ornamented columns of marble, which are erected on the square platforms. This building is a major attraction for the tourists for its location amidst bewitching landscape (garden). Besides, there are many ancient (big and small) temples and hermitages in janakpur. A few of them are described below: Janaki Temple is dedicated to the goddess Sita.

This temple is centrally located in Janakpur. Legend has it that King Janak performed the worship of 'Shiva - Dhanus' on this vey site. This temple has preserved the broken idol of King Janak and other beautiful idols.

Ram Mandir

'Ram Mandir' is the oldest temple of Janakpur so far its construction is concerned. It was built in famous Neplease (Pagoda) style by General Amar Singh Thapa in AD 1782. Initially, it was established by Sannyasi Chaturbhuj Giri under a buyan tree. Visitors can see the image of Shree Ram Pamchayatan and ancient images of laxmi Narayan Vishnu simultaneously. The pit is a storehouse of artistic images sculpted in black stone during the reign of the Guptas. The temple of the family deity of Rajarsi Janak- 'Rajdevi'- is situated in the campus of the main temple.

Dulha-Dulhan Temple

This temple is also called Shree Ramananda Ashram and 'Shree Mithila Kanak Bhawan'. Lord Ram is believed to have stayed here in the 'Kohvar - Kunj' (room separated for the first night) as the bridegroom as per the Mithula tradition. This temple also houses the images of Ram - Sita in their traditional wedding robes. The architect has displayed through magnificent glasses the shades of Ram - Sita performing a wedding rite called Bhanwar. The temple has also preserved the images and charn - paduka (special wooden slippers) of Shree Sampradayacharya Shree Ramananda.

Other famous temples include Hanumangarhi, Shiva Temple (at Shiva Chowk), Kapileshwar Mahadev (at Kapileshwar) and Kusheshwar Mahadev (Kuwa).

Laxman Temple

This temple is situated in the campus of Janaki Temple. It houses the images of Ram - Sita and Laxman as well the images of the twin sons of Sita - Lava and Kush.

Sankat Mochan Temple

This famous temple of Hanuman (monkey god) is situated northwest to the Rangbhumi stadium.

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