Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Matihani
A small Mithila town south-west of Janakpur, linked in tradition with the wedding of Ram and Sita.
Chitwan & Teraiजलेश्वर महादेव मन्दिर
Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
The Shiva temple that gives Jaleshwar its name, with a lingam set below ground level in water.
- Altitude
- 75 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Mahottari, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Jaleshwar Mahadev is the principal temple of Jaleshwar, the headquarters of Mahottari district, which lies close to the Indian border south-west of Janakpur. The temple is dedicated to Shiva as Jaleshwar, the lord of water, and the town takes its name from it.
The lingam is set in a sunken sanctum below the level of the surrounding floor, where it is usually covered by water, and worshippers descend to make their offerings. This unusual arrangement is the main reason for the temple's fame. Around the shrine are courtyards, smaller temples and ponds used for ritual bathing.
Jaleshwar is a market town with a strong Maithili character. A visit to the temple can be combined with Janakpur and the other sacred sites of the Mithila plains, including Matihani to the south-west.
History and culture
Jaleshwar is one of the important Shiva shrines of the Mithila region, and pilgrims from Nepal and Bihar come throughout the year. Tradition associates the area with the Ramayana landscape around Janakpur, and the temple is visited by pilgrims following circuits of sacred sites in the region.
Maha Shivaratri, usually in February or March, is the biggest festival, when devotees queue through the night. The month of Shrawan in the monsoon is also busy, as pilgrims carry water to pour over the lingam on Mondays.
The town of Jaleshwar developed as a district centre and a crossing point to the Indian side of the border, and its bazaar serves the surrounding farming villages. Most visitors find that an hour or two at the temple, followed by a walk through the bazaar, is enough before returning to Janakpur.
Things to do in Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Temple visit
See the sunken sanctum and watch worshippers make offerings, ideally in the morning.
Shivaratri
Visit at Maha Shivaratri for the night-long festival, prepared for very large crowds.
Mithila circuit
Combine Jaleshwar with Janakpur and Matihani on a day of temple visits.
Weather and the best time to visit Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Weather in Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Forecast for 75 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are comfortable and dry.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and foggy in the mornings; Shivaratri often falls in late winter.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet; Shrawan Mondays bring pilgrims despite the rain.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Jaleshwar has a few simple hotels; Janakpur has a wider choice and is a common base.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Jaleshwar is reached by road from Janakpur, and connects north to the East-West Highway and Bardibas.
Nearest hub: Janakpur
- roadJanakpur to Jaleshwar by bus, jeep or taxi.
- roadFrom Bardibas on the East-West Highway, roads lead south to Jaleshwar.
- flightKathmandu to Janakpur by scheduled flight, then by road.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit the temple.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Jaleshwar, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain between June and September can flood low ground and roads in southern Mahottari near the border.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is the hot season in the Terai, with daytime temperatures that make midday sightseeing tiring; travel early or late in the day.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
In December and January dense fog and spells of cold weather are common in the Terai, which can slow road travel and delay flights.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering the temple.
- The steps to the sanctum can be wet and slippery.
- At Shivaratri, arrive early and keep valuables secure.
Questions about Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
Why is the temple called Jaleshwar?
Shiva is worshipped here as the lord of water, and the lingam sits in a sunken, water-filled sanctum.
When is the temple busiest?
At Maha Shivaratri and on Mondays in the month of Shrawan.
How do I get there?
By road from Janakpur or from Bardibas on the East-West Highway.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 74 m
Janakpur
The capital of Madhesh Province and a centre of Mithila culture, built around the white marble Janaki Mandir and dozens of sacred ponds.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Janaki Mandir
The white temple to Sita at the heart of Janakpur, built in the early twentieth century and the focus of the Vivaha Panchami festival.
Town or village · 150 m
Bardibas
A highway junction town at the foot of the Chure hills, where the BP Highway from Kathmandu meets the East-West Highway.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Jaleshwar, Wikipedia, Mahottari District, Wikipedia