Janakpur Dham, Nepal – Complete Travel & Pilgrimage Guide (2026)

Published On : 2nd Feb, 2026 By Himalayan Dream Team

Introduction: Why Janakpur Is One of Nepal’s Most Sacred Cities

Table of Content

Janakpur Dham is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in Nepal and South Asia, and is considered the birthplace of the Hindu goddess Sita, also called Janaki. Janakpur is an important place of worship for Hindus as it is the land where the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita was said to have taken place, and worshippers come from all over the world to visit Janakpur. As the town is home to Janaki Mandir, it is often called the Ramayan heartland of Nepal.

Janakpur also serves as the cultural capital of Mithila, where Janakpur's customers gives life to Mithila Art and paintings, as well as the Maithili language and literature. There is also an abundance of sacred ponds, or Sagars and Kundas, as well as the the rich in ancient lore. Festivals like Vivah Panchami, Ram Navami, Holi, and Chhath Parva also make the city a vibrant

What Is Janakpur Famous For?

Janakpur is famous for:

Birthplace of Goddess Sita (Janaki)
Janaki Mandir – one of Nepal’s most beautiful temples
Ram–Sita Wedding Site (Bibaha Mandir)
Mithila art & handicrafts
Ancient sacred ponds (Sagars & Kundas)
Major Hindu festivals like Vivah Panchami and Ram Navami

What Is Special in Janakpur?

It is the spiritual heart of the Ramayan in Nepal
Capital of the ancient Mithila Kingdom, ruled by King Janak
Center for Mithila painting, culture, and Maithili civilization
Unique blend of religion, art, village life, and festivals

Why Is Janakpur Important in the Ramayan?

Janakpur holds immense Ramayan significance because:

Goddess Sita was born here
Sita–Ram wedding (Vivaha) was performed in Janakpur
King Janak, Sita’s father, ruled Mithila from here
Sacred sites like Dhanushadham are directly linked to Ram breaking Lord Shiva’s bow

Janakpur vs Mithila – What’s the Difference?

Janakpur: A city and pilgrimage hub in today’s Nepal
Mithila: A historical-cultural region spanning parts of southern Nepal and northern India

👉 Janakpur is the spiritual capital of Mithila, not the same thing but deeply connected.

Where Is Sita’s Birthplace?

Sita (Janaki) was born in Janakpur, Nepal
Specifically associated with the sacred area around Janaki Mandir
Mithila is the broader region of her origin

❌ Sita was not born in Lanka—Lanka is linked to her captivity by Ravana, not her birth.

Top Places to Visit in Janakpur

Janaki Temple

In Janakpur Dham, Janaki Temple is perhaps the biggest temple devoted to Sita (Janaki) the daughter of King Janak and wife of Ram. Constructed in 1898 A.D. by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwar of Tikamgarh, The beautiful temple is built using white marble and includes fusion Mesopotamian architecture and classic Mughal. The temple is also known for its silver doors. The temple is Janakpur's central hub during religious festivals like vivah panchami and Ram Navami. People from all around the Hindu world, including Nepal and India flock to the temple during the festivals. Janaki Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in Nepal.

Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir

Ram Sita Bibaha Mandir is one of the most important places of worship in all of Janakpur and is the exact place where the marriage of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita is believed to have taken place, according to the Ramayan, and is also where the Janaki Mandir is located. This temple, which is designed in the traditional pagoda fashion, is an important place of worship for Hindu people. Since thousands of people come to celebrate and reenact the wedding of Ram and Sita, the temple is a spiritual center for the Vivah Panchami Festival and is one of the most important pilgrimage places in Janakpur Dham.

Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar, and Parshuram Kunda

Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar, and Parshuram Kunda, are all ancient, sacred and also a unique body of water in Janakpur. All three of them have deep significance in Hindu mythology and rituals, and the water is used for religious bathing, rituals for the deceased ancestors, and for various religious celebrations and festivals. This is especially true for Vivah Panchami and Chhath Parva. Legendary stories surrounding all three of these Kunda's explains their significance and why they are important in relation to King Janak and the traditions of the wedding of Ram and Sita. It is believed that Parshuram Kunda is the location where Sage Parshuram, calmed his anger after Lord Ram broke Shiva's bow, and Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar are associated with King Janak and the Ram and Sita wedding traditions.

Ram Mandir

The Ram Mandir temple in Janakpur is Nepal's oldest temple built by Gorkhali General Amar Singh Thapa during Nepal's unification period. The temple was built in classic Nepalese pagoda style and is dedicated to Lord Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya. The temple is located southeast of Janaki Mandir. Ram Mandir is of tremendous historical and religious importance. Ram Mandir is a pilgrimage site for the Ramayan-linked locations in Janakpur and the greater Mithila region.

Jaleshwar Mahadev

Jaleshwar Mahadev is a temple the other side of the India-Nepal border in Janakpur and is one of the most interesting and powerful Shiva temples. The temple is known for a Shiva Lingam that is submerged in water 20 feet below ground level. Devotees must show humility and devotion by descending the narrow stone steps. Jaleshwar, meaning Lord of Water, is one of the most important temples for the Shaivite in the Janakpur region.

Dhanushadham

Dhanushadham is an Indian village that is located 18 km north-east of Janakpur and has great religious significance. Dhanushadham is an important site from the Ramayana because it is believed to have pieces of the bow that broke when Lord Ram exhibited his power to win his wife Sita. Even today a fossilized piece of the bow is worshipped. Dhanushadham is one of the most prominent religious sites in the Mithila region. During the month of Magh (January–February) thousands of devotees attend the Makar Mela at Dhanushadham to worship the bow.

Traditional Mithila Villages

The Mithila villages that surround Janakpur are characterized by mud houses adorned with Mithila paintings. These villages are amongst the finest representations of the Mithila civilization. They provide a true cultural experience of the Mithila civilization and its teachings. These paintings depict many Hindu fables, gods, folklore, and fauna. Fables and paintings are created using naturally sourced colors with symbolic patterns. The ability to walk through the villages and experience the true Maithili way of life, rituals, folklore, and art is a vital facet of a Janakpur visit.

What Is Janakpur Famous to Buy? (Shopping Guide)

Mithila paintings (authentic & handmade)
Clay statues of Ram–Sita
Sacred beads & puja items
Handwoven textiles and local fabrics
Traditional jewelry & souvenirs

📍 Best places: Local markets near Janaki Mandir & Mithila Art Centers

Janakpur Famous Food

Maithili Thali
Dahi–Chura
Peda & sweets
Litti–Chokha
Seasonal festival foods during Vivah Panchami & Chhath

Best Hotels to Stay in Janakpur

Near Janaki Mandir:

Luxury: Hotel Manaki, Hotel Welcome
Mid-range: Mithila Yatri Niwas
Budget: Pilgrim guesthouses & dharamshalas

(We recommend temple-area hotels for easy walking access.)

How to Reach Janakpur from India

Best Travel Routes:

By Train: India → Jaynagar → Janakpur Dham Railway
By Road: Patna / Varanasi / Delhi → Janakpur
By Air: Kathmandu → Janakpur (domestic flight)

Transportation Options:

Train + taxi combo
Private vehicles
Tourist buses (via border towns)

Local Transport in Janakpur

Cycle rickshaws
E-rickshaws
Taxis for temple circuits

Janakpur Distance & Practical Info

Kathmandu to Janakpur: ~225 km (6–7 hrs by road)
No direct train from Janakpur to Kathmandu
Taxi cost Janakpur–Kathmandu: varies by season & vehicle

Janakpur Municipality Facts

Janakpur Dham Up-Mahanagar Palika
Population: ~200,000+
Languages: Maithili, Nepali, Hindi, Bhojpuri
Major rivers: Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Kamala

Popular Festivals in Janakpur

Vivah Panchami (Ram–Sita Wedding)
Ram Navami
Holi
Dashain & Tihar
Chhath Parva

Is Janakpur Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Janakpur is perfect for:

Hindu pilgrims
Culture & history lovers
Festival travelers
Photographers & slow travelers

Guided Janakpur Tours with Himalayan Dream Team

With Himalayan Dream Team, you can:

Book guided temple tours
Combine Janakpur with Kathmandu, Lumbini & Mithila villages
Enjoy culturally sensitive, well-organized pilgrimages
Customize Nepal temple & heritage itineraries

📩 Contact Himalayan Dream Team for Janakpur pilgrimage packages and cultural tours.

FAQs – Janakpur Travel Questions

Is Janakpur in India or Nepal?
Janakpur is in Nepal, near the Indian border.

Are Janakpur and Mithila the same?
No. Janakpur is a city; Mithila is a larger cultural region.

What was the old name of Janakpur?
Anciently associated with Mithila Nagari, ruled by King Janak.

Did Nepali people come from India?
Nepal has multiple ancient civilizations; Mithila culture spans both sides of today’s border.

Which place is very close to Nepal from India?
Jaynagar (Bihar) is the closest Indian rail gateway to Janakpur.

Conclusion

With every step taken in Janakpur Dham, one walks further into the unfolding story of the eternal epic, the Ramayan. It is here in Janakpur, the spiritual and cultural center of the Mithila Civilization - one of the oldest, continuous civilizations in the world, - the love of Ram and Janaki (Sita) is immortalized. Janakpur is home to the beautiful Janaki Mandir and a multitude of temples and sites linked to the Ramayan, a vast collection of ancient sacred sites and ritual ponds, and charming, traditional Mithila villages. Janakpur is a one-of-a-kind destination that embodies the centuries of devotion and heritage that remain intact from the Treta Yug. Himalyan Dream Team transforms your journey to Janakpur into a respectful, authentic, and local guided immersion into the devotion, faith, and culture of the Mithila Civilization.