Hello everyone,I am here along with RECAP of our recently finished “Ram Janaki Temple Meet-up”.
Chilly weather made worse by cold breeze has continued to adversely affect daily life of many people in different parts of our area for the past few days. Cold wave conditions continue to hit Rautahat with 24 deaths reported here, taking the toll to 70 in the Tarai district so far this winter . The smog hovers some 300-400 meters from the ground, especially in the morning resulting in low visibility and instant drop in temperatures. Winter for Nepalese is all about biting cold and life frozen all around.
Many of our friends had denied to participate in this Meet-up, due to biting cold followed by cold wave along with the thick fog. Most of the day, In the morning blocking sun light and warmth for many hours and sometimes the entire day.
I am very glad to share my photo walk “RECAP Ram Janaki Mandir Temple Meet-up” organized by Mid Nepal Local Guides and Hosted by me. Myself, as a organizer, that was my responsible to continued this “Meet-up” as its purpose time. Our Meet-up place and venue was very far (approximately 100 kilo miters) from Chandranigahpur, Rautahat. That’s why on the day of Meet-up early in the morning at 6 am , our place, I found remain covered in a thick blanket of fig I got a bus for Janapur and reached 9 am on the spot .
Early in the Morning in front of Ram Janaki Mandir
As I have already mention that most of the members from Mid Nepal Local guides were unable to join the Meet-up. I found some local guides in Jankapur, with the help of them , I completed my Meet-up. Its really very nice to meet with them, they were very helpful to me.
Janakpur Municipality has taken historical, religious and cultural importance of Nepal. Janakpur’s excellent capital Maharishi Janak in past is now being developed as a unique religious and tourist destination.
According to Vedic literature, the present Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpur is located at the birthplace of Goddess Sita, consort of Lord Rama. As mentioned in the great epic of the Ramayana, the area belonged to the realms of King Janak. The Ram Janaki Temple is one of the most holy places for Hindus. Various vestiges of the 11th and 12th Century AD can be found. The temple architecture is of a much later period, however its style is unique; a blend of classical and neo-classical design with elements of fortification within a unique environmental setting.
Janakpur is the Capital of Ancient Mithila and Pilgrims of Hindu. The Ram Janaki Temple and cultural heritages are its backbone and is rich in local art.Janakpur situated in the Terai region of Nepal, is one of the historic cities of Nepal and lies 20 km south of the (East-West Highway) Mahendra Highway. Janakpur, most famous cities of Nepal is associated with a rich historical past. Janakpur is a beautiful and historic city dating back to ancient times. It was the capital city of the kingdom of Mithila in the past. Mithila was the capital of the Videha (bodyless) spiritual Janakas, the rulers who were the embodiment of spiritual attainment. Legend has it that Sita, heroine of the Hindu epic Ramayana, was born here and later married the equally revered Lord Ram. Sita, who was the wife of the legendary hero Rama of the epic ‘Ramayana’ was born in Janakpur. A great centre of learning for scholars in ancient times, Janakpur once had hundreds of sages who contributed substantially to Hindu philosophy, with one of their oldest works being the famous Upanishad Brihadarandyaka written in the form of a dialogue which deals with the gods, the nature of Brahma, the supreme reality and the introduction to the self.
Ram Janaki Mandir Temple is an example of Hindu-Koiri Nepali architecture. It is often considered the most important model of Koiri architecture in Nepal. Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 4,860 sq. feet in a mixed style of Mughal and Koiri domes, the temple is 50 meters high. It is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, colored glass, engravings and paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets.
Inside the Ram Janaki Temple
Within the period of meet-up I discovered many interesting places and things beside, inside and within the Ram Janami Temple .I requested to, Ram Janki Mandir organizing comity to allow me to go to upstairs and take picture in side the temple, which is rarely possible…
I explained them about Google Maps, Local guides program and our Meet-up. Surprisingly, they understood and allow me to go and take photos even in restricted area too. That’s why, you will find many things within this “RECAP”.
Cultural Museum and Janaki Animation.
Underground Ancient ornaments and cultural dresses.
Mithila Art.
Besides the religious importance, Janakpur is also the center for the revival of the ancient Mithila art and craft. This colorful took the Maithila Art known as Madhubani painting.
As a tradition, Mithila women have always been decorating the walls of their houses with paintings depicting figures from Hindu mythology in abstract forms, sometimes resembling a mandala. Predominantly inhabited by Maithilis, it has its own language, script and a rich artistic tradition and culture. The religious Mithila art is well known in the local and international art world.
Janakpur is a city of dozens of holy pools, with a number of ancient sites, some of which have yet to be identified.
“BIWAHA MANDAP”
" Ram-Janaki Marriage Hall : “One of the great evidence of Hindu mythology. It is the spot or place where lord Rama and Sita got married. The place is totally religious and historical. still those foot prints, sign and symbols are same and reflects truly historical and religious place.” Ram,Laxman,Bharat,Shatrughan all 4 brothers were married here. There are dedicated small temples for all 4 with their spouses. This is a wonderful place, Beautiful Garden. A lot of Hindu marry is done here. Only thing in janakpur that’s well maintained!!! Beautiful garden and temple .The temple is topped by a modernist interpretation of a tiered pagoda roof and the walls are glass so you can peer in at the kitschy life-sized models of Sita and Rama.
Every year, thousands of peoples, pilgrims, saints and devotees from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and other countries visit Ram Janaki Temple to worship Lord Ram and Sita. Many worshippers visit the temple during the festivals of Ram Nawami, Vivaha Panchami, Dashain and Tihar. Pilgrims have been coming to Janakpur since the 4th Century BC.Specially, these people visit the temple in November/December for ‘Bibaha Panchami’ ( marriage over 5 days ), the town s major annual festival, when the marriage of Sita and Rama is celebrated with various re-enactments. It is popular place for modern day weddings. This is a predominantly Hindu place. Every year, millions of tourists come here to pay their tribute to Lord Rama and Sita. ‘Bibaha Panchami’ is a popular festival which commemorates the marriage of the two epical characters mentioned above.
Nepal Government has submitted to “ The Advisory Bodies” and “The World Heritage Committee” for nominate The Ram Janaki Mandir Temple as a Cultural heritage site. We hope, with our this little effort , this temple will get approve as UNESCO cultural heritage site very soon.
At the End…
Thanks a lot for taking your time to read this “Ram Janaki Mandir Temple Meet-up Recap” post. I would just like to gratitude, all of you ,those who motivate, encourage and support me. My sincere thanks to the Local Guides Team for providing me this great opportunity by approve in time.
Video:- https://youtu.be/mXXoXeqOvWc
Photo Album:- https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lNSVO8J9xOm6G8-0DxBv_6rjQe2MtK8i
