JANAKPUR

             The Janakpurdham, an important tourist destination of Terai plain, is located in the Dhanusha district of Janakpur Zone within the Central Development Region. The historical town housing ancient temples, monasteries, arts and craft of numerous deities is also regarded as an important religious centre. The town that used to be the capital of the ancient Mithila Kingdom is also home to many important pilgrimage sites. Janakpur is the birth place of the ideal woman of all Hindus, Mother Sita, the consort of Lord Ram, the ideal man. Each and every square of the town hosts at least one diety related to the epic Ramayan, which adds to the town's attaraction. The town named after sage-king Janak has developed as an important destination for religious tourists. The numerous holy sites originating in different stages of the history have spread the fame of Janakpurdham not only within the borders of Nepal but throughout the world. The Janaki temple is regarded as the most important and popular religious site of the town.

           The huge temple resembling the Mugal palaces of India has hundreds of rooms, stages, prayer rooms, store-rooms and sitting rooms. The huge temple adorned with equisite artistry never fails to astonish the visitors. Apart from the Janaki temple, the Ram Mandir, Vivaha Mandap, Janak Mandir, Laxman temple and the sacred Sagars(ponds) are the other important holy sites. Huge fairs are hosted here on the Ram Nawami, Vivaha panchami and Chhath festivals. Ram Nawami is the birthday of lord Ram while the Vivaha panchami commemorates the marriage of lord Ram and Mother Sita. The idols of Ram and Sita are circulated around the town at the head of a procession in the Vivaha panchami. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from around Nepal and India participate in these processions and festivals every year. The religiously important ancient town has helped in spreading the grandeur of Nepal's identity around the world. There are numerous hotels and lodge of varying standards in the region located 375 km from the Kathmandu. Day and night buses are available to Janakpur from Kathmandu, while flight from Kathmandu takes 40 minutes. The town of Jaleshwor at the Nepal-India border is located at a distance of 20 km from Janakpur.

             Some of the religious Heritages of Janakpurdham are mentioned below.

1.JANAKI  TEMPLE

           Janakpur's main attaraction, the Janaki temple, a temple dedicated to Mother Sita, is located at the centre of Janakpur. An architectural style resembling that of the Mugal palaces of India is used in the construction of the temple adorned with lovely artistry. The temple is also known as the Naulakh temple or Nine Hundered Thousand Temple as nine hundered thousand rupees was spent in the construction of the temple. The temple sanctum houses idol of Lord Ram and Mother Sita as well as other related dieties. Major festivals are hosted at the temple on Ramnawami, Vivaha panchami, Chhath, Holi and other festivals. Devotees numbering in hundreds of thousands throng at the temple to participate in the festivals. Situated adjacent to the Janaki Mandir are the Vivaha Mandap, Ram temple, Laxman temple and Dharmashala. It takes 10 minutes on a rickshaw to reach the temple from Janakpur Buspark or Ramananda Chowk.

2.RATNA  SAGAR  TEMPLE

          The Ratna Sagar Temple can be reached by walking for about 10 minutes from Ramananda Chowk. The temple is also dedicated to Lord Ram and Mother Sita and houses the idols of the deities. The temple is quite tall and is surrounded  by a pretty garden. The sacred pond called Ratna Sagar is located near the temple and is considered one of the most sacred ponds of Janakpur.

3.SHREE  SANKATMOCHAN  TEMPLE

           The Sankatmochan Temple that is believed to relieve the devotees from any trouble is famous not only in Janakpur but also in surrounding districts. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the Monkey God. It is traditonally believed that worshipping at the temple will relieve from all the troubles and will fulfil any wish. Large number of worhippers gathers at the temple every saturday and tuesday and also on other Hindu festivals. People from far away places also arrive at the temple to offer worship. The temple is situated at a distance of 10 minute's walk from the Janaki Temple.

4.VIVAH  MANDAP

           The famous mandap that was the site of marriage between Lord Ram and Mother Sita in Treta era of the Vedic period is one of the most important tourist attaractions in Janakpur. The attaractive temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The marriage of Lord Ram and Mother Sita is depicted clearly within the temple. The temple is located near the Janaki Mandir.

5.DULAHA  DULAHI  TEMPLE

          The temple is called Dulaha-Dulahi Temple because of the idols of the deities in the guise of bride-groom. The temple is situated at the Ramananda Chowk. The idols surrounded in a glass box are really attaractive. The deities housed in the temple are Lord Ram and Mother Sita.

6.RAM  MANDIR

          The Ram Mandir is located in between the Janaki Temple and the holy Dhanush Sagar. The temple dedicated to Lord Ram is one of the famous temple of Janakpur. Huge fairs are hosted here on Ramnawami, Vivah Panchami and Chhath festival. The temple sanctum houses idols of Lord Ram and Mother Sita.