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Janakpurdham or Janakpur ( ne, जनकपुर, ) is a sub-metropolitan city in Dhanusha District, Madhesh Province, Nepal. The city is a hub for religious and cultural tourism. A headquarter of Dhanusha district, ''Janakpur'' is also the capital for Madhesh Province. The city was founded in the early 18th century. According to tradition, storyteller indicates an earlier city known as Janakpurdham existed in the area, which was supposedly the capital of the
Videha Videha ( Prākrit: ; Pāli: ; Sanskrit: ) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of north-eastern South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The population of Videha, the Vaidehas, were initially organised into a monarchy but la ...
dynasty that ruled the Mithila region in ancient times.Burghart, R. (1978). The disappearance and reappearance of Janakpur. Kailash: A Journal of Himalayan Studies 6 (4): 257–284. Janakpur is located about southeast of
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Provi ...
. , the city had a population of 173,924. The city had a population of 195,438 in
2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...
. Janakpur is currently the most populated sub metropolitan city of Nepal. Janakpur is located about 18 km away from the Bhitthamore border of India. Nepal Railways operates between Janakpur and
Jaynagar Jaynagar Majilpur () is a town and a municipality of the South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the southern suburbs of Kolkata. As an urban setup in the vicinity of Kolkata, the town is within the ar ...
of India.


History

Accounts from
ascetic Asceticism (; from the el, ἄσκησις, áskesis, exercise', 'training) is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their p ...
s, pandits, and
bard In Celtic cultures, a bard is a professional story teller, verse-maker, music composer, oral historian and genealogist, employed by a patron (such as a monarch or chieftain) to commemorate one or more of the patron's ancestors and to praise ...
s indicate that Janakpur was founded in the early 18th century. The earliest description of Janakpur as a pilgrimage site dates to 1805. Earlier
archaeological Archaeology or archeology is the scientific study of human activity through the recovery and analysis of material culture. The archaeological record consists of artifacts, architecture, biofacts or ecofacts, sites, and cultural landscap ...
evidence of the presence of an ancient city has not been found. King
Janaka Janaka is a character who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is an ancient Hindu king of Videha, which was located in the Mithila region. His name at birth was Sīradhvaja, and he had a brother named Kushadhvaja. His father's name was Hrasva ...
's palace is thought to have been located in ancient Janakpur as it is believed to be the capital of the
Kingdom of the Videhas Videha ( Prākrit: ; Pāli: ; Sanskrit: ) was an ancient Indo-Aryan tribe of north-eastern South Asia whose existence is attested during the Iron Age. The population of Videha, the Vaidehas, were initially organised into a monarchy but later ...
. According to '' Ramayana'', he found a baby girl in a furrow, named her Sita, and raised her as his daughter. When she was older, he offered her in marriage to anyone who was able to lift the bow of Shiva, left near Janakpur a thousand years earlier. Many royal suitors tried but only Rama, the prince of
Ayodhya Ayodhya (; ) is a city situated on the banks of holy river Saryu in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya, also known as Saketa, is an ancient city of India, the birthplace of Rama and setting of the great epic Ramayana. Ayodhya wa ...
, could lift the bow. According to an old song, this bow was found northeast of Janakpur. Until the 1950s, Janakpur was a cluster of rural hamlets inhabited by farmers, artisans, priests, and clerks who worked for the monasteries that controlled the land. After the Independence Act in India, Janakpur expanded into a commercial center and became the capital of the Dhanusa District in the 1960s.Burghart, R. (1988.) Cultural knowledge of hygiene and sanitation as a basis for health development in Nepal. Contributions to Nepalese Studies 15 (2): 185–211. As Rama and Sita are major figures in Hinduism, Janakpur is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. According to the
first millennium BC The 1st millennium BC, also known as the last millennium BC, was the period of time lasting from the years 1000 BC to 1 BC (10th to 1st centuries BC; in astronomy: JD – ). It encompasses the Iron Age in the Old World and sees the transition ...
text, ''
Shatapatha Brahmana The Shatapatha Brahmana ( sa, शतपथब्राह्मणम् , Śatapatha Brāhmaṇam, meaning 'Brāhmaṇa of one hundred paths', abbreviated to 'SB') is a commentary on the Śukla (white) Yajurveda. It is attributed to the Vedic ...
'', the Maithil king Videgha Māthava crossed the Sadānirā ( Gandaki River), led by his priest Gotama Rahugana, and founded the Kingdom of Videha with Janakpur as the capital city. As Gotama Rahugana composed many hymns of the Rigveda, these events must date to the Regvedic period.
Gautama Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition, he was born in L ...
and Vardhamana
Mahavira Mahavira (Sanskrit: महावीर) also known as Vardhaman, was the 24th ''tirthankara'' (supreme preacher) of Jainism. He was the spiritual successor of the 23rd ''tirthankara'' Parshvanatha. Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6 ...
, the 24th and final ''
Tirthankara In Jainism, a ''Tirthankara'' (Sanskrit: '; English: literally a ' ford-maker') is a saviour and spiritual teacher of the ''dharma'' (righteous path). The word ''tirthankara'' signifies the founder of a '' tirtha'', which is a fordable passa ...
'' of the
Jain Jainism ( ), also known as Jain Dharma, is an Indian religion. Jainism traces its spiritual ideas and history through the succession of twenty-four tirthankaras (supreme preachers of ''Dharma''), with the first in the current time cycle being ...
religion are said to have lived in Janakpur. The region was an important center for the history of Mithila during the
first millennium File:1st millennium montage.png, From top left, clockwise: Depiction of Jesus, the central figure in Christianity; The Colosseum, a landmark of the once-mighty Roman Empire; Kaaba, the Great Mosque of Mecca, the holiest site of Islam; Chess, a new ...
.Rastriya Samachar Samiti (2004)
"More Indian tourists visit Janakpurdham"
. Himalayan Times, 17 January 2004.


Demographics

, the Janakpur municipality had 19,195 households and a population of 98,446 people with a density of 4,000 people per square kilometer. In 2015, it was declared a sub-metropolitan city that incorporates 11 surrounding villages. The current population is 173,924 people, making it the sixth largest city in Nepal. Maithili is widely spoken in the area as the first language and is also used as the lingua franca. Nepali, Hindi, Marwari, and English are well understood. Languages like
Bhojpuri Bhojpuri (;Bhojpuri entry, Oxford Dictionaries
, Oxford U ...
and
Awadhi Awadhi (; ), also known as Audhi (), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in northern India and Nepal. It is primarily spoken in the Awadh region of present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The name ''Awadh'' is connected to Ayodhya, the ancient city, ...
are understood but less frequently used. More than 90 percent of the total population is Hindu, with the rest being Muslims and
Buddhists Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gr ...
.


Economy

Janakpur is one of the fastest developing cities of Nepal and is the largest sub-metropolitan city in the country. The city has good health care facilities, a number of parks, private schools, colleges, and internet service providers. There are medical, engineering, and management colleges that are affiliated to
Tribhuvan University Tribhuvan University (TU; ne, त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालय) is a public university located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Established in 1959, TU is the oldest university in Nepal. In terms of enrollment, it is ...
. The economy is mostly based on tourism, agriculture, and local industries. The paintings on pottery, walls, and courtyards made by Maithili women are known as Mithila art. Janakpur attracts migrants from the surrounding area, moving to the city for medical care, education, and jobs. The largest employers were the Janakpur Cigarette Factory Limited and Janakpur Railway until they closed in 2013 due to political corruption and heavy loans. By the end of 2018 service was resumed. Zonal Hospital, Zonal Police, and the Banking Sector help the locals live a relatively easy lifestyle. The city has many commercial banks, such as Nepal Rastra Bank, the State Bank of India, Nepal, Everest Bank LTD. Machhapuchhare, NIC Bank, Nepal Bank LTD, and Agriculture Development Bank.


Geography and climate

Janakpur is located in the
Terai , image =Terai nepal.jpg , image_size = , image_alt = , caption =Aerial view of Terai plains near Biratnagar, Nepal , map = , map_size = , map_alt = , map_caption = , biogeographic_realm = Indomalayan realm , global200 = Terai-Duar savanna ...
, where the climate is humid subtropical: the months of March and April are hot, dry, and windy. The wet season lasts from May to September, followed by mild dry autumn from October to November. It is a cold winter from December to February. The major rivers surrounding Janakpur are Dudhmati, Jalad, Rato, Balan, and Kamala.


Transport


Roadways

Frequent bus services operate between Janakpur and Nepalese cities. Within the city, cycle rickshaws, electric rickshaws, tempos (three-wheeled vehicle), and buses are available. A few Bus services operate for Indian cities of
Sitamarhi Sitamarhi is an Indian city and the district headquarters of the Sitamarhi district in the Mithila region of Bihar and is a part of the Tirhut Division. It dates back to the time of Ramayana and is considered as the place where Janaka found ...
, Patna, Delhi and
Ayodhya Ayodhya (; ) is a city situated on the banks of holy river Saryu in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya, also known as Saketa, is an ancient city of India, the birthplace of Rama and setting of the great epic Ramayana. Ayodhya wa ...
as part of the Ramayan Circuit to promote religious tourism in Nepal and India.


Railways

Nepal Railways is the only operational railway in Nepal. It connects Janakpur to
Siraha Siraha (Nepali: , ) is the headquarters and municipality of Siraha District, a part of Madhesh Province , Nepal. Siraha had a population of 28,442 according to the census of 2011. and a population of 82,531 as of 2015.The current population of Sira ...
at the Nepal-India border and goes further to the Indian city of
Jaynagar Jaynagar Majilpur () is a town and a municipality of the South 24 Parganas district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the southern suburbs of Kolkata. As an urban setup in the vicinity of Kolkata, the town is within the ar ...
,
Bihar Bihar (; ) is a state in eastern India. It is the 2nd largest state by population in 2019, 12th largest by area of , and 14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West Ben ...
. There is a customs checkpoint in Siraha for goods.


Airways

Janakpur has a domestic airport with most flights connecting to
Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Provi ...
.


Culture


Religious sites

The
Janaki Mandir Janaki Mandir ( ne, जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple in Janakpur, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of mixed Hindu Nepali architecture Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,4 ...
temple is in the centre of Janakpur, northwest of the market. It is one of the biggest temples in Nepal and was built in 1898 (1955 in the Nepali calendar) by Queen Brisabhanu Kunwari of
Tikamgarh Tikamgarh is a town and a tehsil in Tikamgarh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The city serves as a district headquarters. The earlier name of Tikamgarh was Tehri (i.e., a triangle) consisting of three hamlets, forming a rough ...
. It is also called ''Nau Lakha Mandir'' after the cost of construction, said to be nine
lakh A lakh (; abbreviated L; sometimes written lac) is a unit in the Indian numbering system equal to one hundred thousand (100,000; scientific notation: 105). In the Indian 2,2,3 convention of digit grouping, it is written as 1,00,000. For ...
gold coins.Mishra, K. C. (1996). Pilgrimage centres and tradition in Nepal. In: D. P. Dubey (ed) Rays and Ways of Indian Culture. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi. The temple is architecturally unique in Nepal: its inner sanctum contains a flower-covered statue of Sita that was found in the Sarayu near Ayodhya. Statues of Rama and his half-brothers Lakshman, Bharat, and Satrughna stand by Sita. Adjacent to the Janaki Mandir is the Rama Sita Vivaha Mandir, a building that marks the event in which Rama and Sita were married. The oldest temple in Janakpur is Sri Ram Temple, built by the
Gorkhali The Gurkhas or Gorkhas (), with endonym Gorkhali ), are soldiers native to the Indian Subcontinent, chiefly residing within Nepal and some parts of Northeast India. The Gurkha units are composed of Nepalis and Indian Gorkhas and are recruit ...
General
Amar Singh Thapa Amar Singh Thapa Chhetri distinguished as Badakaji Amar Singh Thapa( ne, बडाकाजी अमर सिंह थापा क्षेत्री), or Amar Singh Thapa The Elder, (also spelled Ambar Simha) also known by the honorific nam ...
. Pilgrims also visit the over 200 sacred ponds in the city for ritual baths. The two most important ponds – Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar, are located close to the city center. Srisita ram laxman hanuman manor.JPG, Deities of Sri Sita Devi (far right) and Sri Rama (centre) (with Sri Lakshmana (far left) and Sri Hanuman (below seated)) Mani mandap.jpg, Pond in front of Mani mandap, Rani Bazar. The place where the marriage of Ram and Sita actually happened. Ram Janaki Biwaha mandap.JPG, Ram Janaki Biwaha Mandap Hanuman Temple-Kadam chowk-Janakpurdham-IMG 6839.jpg, Hanuman Mandir, Kadam Chowk Janaki Temple Janakpur-Holi 060315 MG 39110337.jpg, Janaki Mandir Ram Mandir, Janakpur, Nepal.jpg, Ram Mandir, Janakpur, Mithila


Other religious sites

* Vivah Mandap temple is situated next to the Janaki Mandir * Ram Tower is also next to Janaki Mandir. It was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, located to the south of Ram Temple. * Kapileshwar Temple


Festivals

Major religious celebrations include the Hindu festivals Vivaha Panchami,
Dipawali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali (IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is o ...
, and
Vijayadashami Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hind ...
, followed by Chhath Puja, which is celebrated six days after
Diwali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is o ...
and
Makar Sankranti Makar(a) Sankranti (), also referred to as Uttarayana, Maghi, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 14 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sag ...
. On the night of the full moon in February and March, before the festival of Holi, a one-day Parikrama (circumambulation) of the city is celebrated. Many people offer prostrated obeisances along the entire route. Two other festivals honour Rama and Sita:
Rama Navami Rama Navami () is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Rama, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu. people from different parts of Jharkhand attended the world famous international Hazaribagh procession organized in the city every ...
, the birthday of Lord Rama, and the Vivah Panchami that re-enacts the wedding of Rama and Sita at the Vivah Mandap temple on the fifth day of the waxing moon in November or early December.


Education

Janakpur has educational facilities where several of the country's elites went to school, including the first president of the Federal Republic of Nepal,
Ram Baran Yadav Ram Baran Yadav ( mai, डा. राम वरण यादव) is a Nepali politician and physician who served as the first president of Nepal from 23 July 2008 to 29 October 2015, following the declaration of a republic in 2008. Previously he ...
. There are many private and government schools and colleges located in Janakpur. The oldest government school for higher studies is Ramsworup Ramsagar Bahumukhi Campus (RR Multiple Campus), which is affiliated with
Tribhuvan University Tribhuvan University (TU; ne, त्रिभुवन विश्वविद्यालय) is a public university located in Kirtipur, Kathmandu. Established in 1959, TU is the oldest university in Nepal. In terms of enrollment, it is ...
. Some of the prominent private colleges are Rajarshi Janak Campus, and
Model Multiple College A model is an informative representation of an object, person or system. The term originally denoted the plans of a building in late 16th-century English, and derived via French and Italian ultimately from Latin ''modulus'', a measure. Models c ...
. Janakpur also has a medical college,
Janaki Medical College Janaki Medical College and Teaching Hospital is a medical school located in Ramdaiya-Bhawadi, Chireshwarnath municipality. The college operates two hospitals: a smaller 150 bedded hospital at Ramdaiya and a bigger 350+ bedded hospital at Bramhapu ...
, which is also affiliated with Tribhuvan University.


Libraries

Gangasagar Public Library was established in 1955 and is situated between two historical ponds of Janakpur—Dhanuschatra Pond and Ganga Sagar. The library was reopened to the public in 2012. In recent times, a team of active and committed local youth workers has contributed to the revival of this library by organizing public book collections for the library. It is open daily for three hours, mainly for newspaper-reading but has few daily visitors. Ramswaroop Ramsagar Multiple Campus Library is also accessible to the general public.


Media

The local media of Janakpur primarily consists of several community radio stations, some TV channels, and a few print newspapers, such as Janakpur Today. Local Janakpur media primarily consists of radio shows, such as ''Mithila Jagaran''.


2015 Nepal earthquake

According to Colin Stark at Columbia University, during the earthquake on 25 April 2015, " part of India slid about one foot to 10 feet northwards and underneath Nepal in a matter of seconds. The part below Bihar slid under Nepal along a zone from Bharatpur, through Hetauda, to Janakpur."


Sister cities

*
Ayodhya Ayodhya (; ) is a city situated on the banks of holy river Saryu in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya, also known as Saketa, is an ancient city of India, the birthplace of Rama and setting of the great epic Ramayana. Ayodhya wa ...
, India


Gallery

Janaki Mandir, Janakpur 20211009.jpg, Night view of Janaki Temple Janaki Temple Janakpur-Janakpur030315 MG 36720063.jpg, Inside view of Janaki Temple Vivah Mandap, Janakpur-September 22, 2016-IMG 7332.jpg, Way to Vivah Mandap Vivah Mandap, Janakpur-September 22, 2016-IMG 7327-Pano.jpg, Vivah Manadap Senior leader Nidhi in Janaki temple.jpg, Former Deputy Prime minister and NC Vice president
Bimalendra Nidhi Bimalendra Nidhi ( Maithili/ Nepali/Devanagari: बिमलेन्द्र निधि ) is a Nepali politician who serves as a member of the House of Representatives and a senior leader of Nepali Congress. He is the former Deputy Prime ...
at
Janaki Mandir Janaki Mandir ( ne, जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple in Janakpur, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of mixed Hindu Nepali architecture Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,4 ...
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at Janaki Mandir, in Janakpur, Nepal on May 11, 2018 (3).JPG, Indian PM Modi in Janakpur wearing famous Maithili cap,
Paag The Paag is a headdress in the Mithila region of India and Nepal worn by Maithil people. It is a symbol of honour and respect and a significant part of Maithil culture. History and style The Paag dates back to pre-historic times when it was m ...
Sunset_and_vacant_rails_in_lock-down.jpg, Sunset over railway track near Janakpur Vedi.jpg, Vedi, mani mandap, Janakpur Janakpur Station, Nepal Railways-20160923-IMG 7914.jpg, Abandoned Old Train at Janakpur station Atrts of janakpur.jpg, Mithila art Arts of janakpur@@.jpg, Puctue depuctin King Janak ploughing to discover Sita Mata 2009-03 Janakpur 36.jpg, Janakpur in 2000's Janakpur Visit1.jpg, First president of Republic Nepal,
Ram Baran Yadav Ram Baran Yadav ( mai, डा. राम वरण यादव) is a Nepali politician and physician who served as the first president of Nepal from 23 July 2008 to 29 October 2015, following the declaration of a republic in 2008. Previously he ...
visiting Janakpur The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri K.P. Sharma Oli flags off the bus service from Nepal’s Janakpur to Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya, at Janakpur, Nepal on May 11, 2018.JPG, Janakpur-Ayodhya bus 2009-03 Janakpur 24.jpg, Old picture of Janaki High School JanakpurMuraliChowk.jpg, Murali Chowk in 2000's Janakpur Airport Tower New.jpg, Construction of New Airport buildings


See also

* List of cities in Nepal *
Bimalendra Nidhi Bimalendra Nidhi ( Maithili/ Nepali/Devanagari: बिमलेन्द्र निधि ) is a Nepali politician who serves as a member of the House of Representatives and a senior leader of Nepali Congress. He is the former Deputy Prime ...
* Janakpur–Jaynagar Railway *
2022 Janakpur municipal election Municipal election for Janakpur took place on 13 May 2022, with all 127 positions up for election across 25 wards. The electorate elected a mayor, a deputy mayor, 25 ward chairs and 100 ward members. An indirect election will also be held to elect ...


References


External links

{{Authority control Populated places in Dhanusha District Populated places in Mithila, Nepal Dhanusha District Places in the Ramayana Nepal municipalities established in 1962 Submetropolitan municipalities of Nepal Nepalese capital cities