Janakpur is a major city of religious and historical importance in the Eastern Terai region of Nepal. It is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus from all around the world and a major tourist attraction in the region. It is the capital of ancient Mithila Kingdom, the land of the wise and righteous King Janak of legend, and also the legendary birthplace of the goddess Sita. The people of that place also speaks Maithili.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Janakpur Municipality is the District HQ of Dhanusha and a busy historic religious centre with an estimated population approaching 90,000 people. It is home to the historic 200-year old Janaki Temple, a major attraction for Indian Hindu pilgrims and international tourists. Janakpur is also the birthplace of the Goddess Sita and place of her marriage to the God Ram while the “city of ponds” is also home for Nepal's only railway and railhead (a tourist attraction for steam international locomotive enthusiasts), and many annual colourful festivals.
Once you reach the town, there are a number of options available locally to reach your destination, or just to tour the city. The most basic and traditional means of transportation are human-powered rickshaws, but they have been replaced, to a large extent, by the more efficient E-rickshaws (electronic rickshaws), tempo, auto-rickshaws. They are the best way to reach the heart of city, market areas, and perfect for narrow streets. Taxi and cabs are not available as yet. City buses also run on the outer edges of the town on major (wider) roads, and the ring road at cheap fares. However, when you board a rickshaw be wise to bargain and move on if they don't agree.
1 Janaki Mandir. The major landmark and the centre of attraction, heart of Janakpur city. It is a 19th-century temple dedicated to the great daughter of the holy land of Mithila Kingdom and her consort Lord Ram. The temple was built by the Queen of Tikamgadh, now in Madhya Pradesh, India, as a reverence towards the birthplace of Goddess Sita, and the temple is a great example of Sikh and mougal architecture. (updated Jun 2025) Bivahmandap (Vivah Mandap) Alongside the Janaki Temple (to the north), stands the Bivahmandap amidst a beautiful, scenic, lush green garden to symbolize the wedding spot of Lord Ram and Sita.
Being a religious and historical city, it is primarily a place of pilgrimage and religious tourism. And as the centre of the distinct Mithila Culture, it acts as an open university for people and scholars interested in culture, anthropology, religion and social sciences. The Hindu tourists and pilgrims come here to worship in the numerous temples and to take holy dip/bath in one of the numerous sacred ponds. Particularly, there is a huge gathering of devotees and pilgrims on festivals and purnima (Full Moon Day).
1 Roof-Top Restaurant. (updated Jun 2025) 2 Sky Family Restaurant. (updated Jun 2025)
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Nov, Janakpur typically sees ~27°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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