National park or conservation area
Chitwan National Park
Nepal's first national park, in the inner Terai lowlands: sal forest, tall grassland and rivers home to one-horned rhinoceros, tigers and gharials.
Chitwan & Teraiजनकपुरधाम
Janakpur
A temple city of the eastern Terai and a centre of Mithila art and culture.
- Altitude
- 74 m
- Best months
- Oct-Feb
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Dhanusha, Madhesh
- Suggested stay
- 1-2 days
- Budget per day
- about US$25-35 a day (indicative)
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Janakpur, officially Janakpurdham, is a city in the eastern Terai about 225 km south-east of Kathmandu and a short distance from the Indian border. It is the capital of Madhesh Province and the main centre of Maithili language and Mithila culture in Nepal. For Hindus it is the traditional birthplace of Sita and the place of her marriage to Rama, which makes it one of the country's major pilgrimage cities.
The heart of the city is the Janaki Mandir, a large white temple in a blend of Mughal and Rajput styles with domes, turrets and carved marble screens, completed in the early 20th century. Around it lie the Ram Mandir, the Vivah Mandap marking the wedding site, and many ponds such as Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar, which earn Janakpur the name of a city of ponds. Evening aarti at the ponds and temples is a highlight.
Janakpur is also the place to see Mithila painting, the bold, colourful art traditionally painted by women on the mud walls of homes during festivals and weddings, now also made on paper and canvas. Visitors usually spend one or two days here, combining temple visits with walks through the bazaars and a trip to the surrounding villages.
The story
King Janak, ploughing a ritual furrow, is said to have found a baby girl in the earth. She was Sita, born of the soil. Her marriage to Ram is re-enacted every year at Vivaha Panchami, when pilgrims arrive from across Nepal and India.
History and culture
In the Ramayana, King Janaka of Videha found the infant Sita in a furrow, and Rama later won her hand by breaking Shiva's bow. Janakpur is identified with Janaka's capital by tradition, although historians note that no archaeological evidence has yet linked the modern city with ancient Videha, and accounts suggest the present town was founded in the early 18th century by ascetics. The Janaki Mandir was commissioned by a queen of Tikamgarh, in present-day India, and completed around 1910-1911.
The city's biggest festival is Vivaha Panchami, in November or December, when the wedding of Rama and Sita is re-enacted with processions and pilgrims arrive from across Nepal and India. Ram Navami, Chhath, Holi and Diwali are also celebrated with great energy. Most residents speak Maithili, and more than 90 percent are Hindu.
Things to do in Janakpur
Mithila art workshopBookable locally
Visit a women's art cooperative and try painting in the Mithila style. Work sold there supports the artists.
indicative, about US$10-15
Evening at Janaki MandirFree
Visit the temple at dusk for the evening aarti, when it is lit up and busy with worshippers.
Janaki Mandir
Visit the temple in the early morning or at evening aarti; a small museum and the courtyards can be explored on foot.
Pond circuit
Walk or take an e-rickshaw between Ganga Sagar, Dhanush Sagar and other ponds, where evening rituals take place.
Mithila art
See Mithila painting at craft centres and in villages around the city, and buy work directly from artists.
Dhanushadham
A pilgrimage site in Dhanusha district north of the city, linked by legend to a fragment of Shiva's broken bow.
Weather and the best time to visit Janakpur
Weather in Janakpur
Forecast for 74 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-Feb
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are warm and dry; Diwali, Chhath and Vivaha Panchami fall around this time.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is mild by day but foggy and cold in the mornings, a comfortable time for sightseeing.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is pleasant and brings Holi; April and May are very hot, often above 35 C.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is hot, humid and wet, with waterlogging in parts of the city.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Hotels and guesthouses near the Janaki Mandir are convenient for the temples and ponds.
A range of hotels and guesthouses in the city; book ahead for Vivaha Panchami and other big festivals.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Eat and drink
Mithila thali, with rice, lentils, vegetables and pickles, is served across the city. Look for Terai sweets such as peda, and litti chokha (baked wheat balls with spiced mash).
Getting there
Janakpur has daily flights from Kathmandu and good bus links via the BP Highway. A cross-border railway links the city with Jaynagar in India.
Nearest hub: Janakpur airport
- flightKathmandu to Janakpur, about 20-30 minutes.
- roadKathmandu to Janakpur by bus via the BP Highway, Sindhuli and Bardibas, roughly 220-230 km and 7-9 hours.
- roadFrom the East-West Highway at Dhalkebar, about 25 km, under an hour.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed. Some temples and museums may charge small entry or camera fees.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Janakpur, Wikivoyage.
Practical tips
- Remove shoes before entering temples, dress modestly and follow any photography restrictions inside the Janaki Mandir.
- Summers are very hot; visit temples early in the morning or in the evening and carry water.
- Mobile signal and ATMs are widely available in the city.
- E-rickshaws are the easiest way around the narrow streets; agree the fare before setting off.
- Mosquitoes are common, especially near ponds in warm months; use repellent.
Safety
From April to June temperatures often pass 40 C. Dress modestly at temples and remove shoes where asked.Questions about Janakpur
How do I get to Janakpur from Kathmandu?
Fly in about 20-30 minutes, or take a bus via the BP Highway, roughly 7-9 hours.
What is Janakpur famous for?
The Janaki Mandir, its association with Sita in the Ramayana, sacred ponds, Mithila painting and the Vivaha Panchami festival.
When is the best time to visit Janakpur?
October to February. Vivaha Panchami in November or December is the busiest and most colourful time.
Do I need a permit to visit Janakpur?
No permit is required; small entry or camera fees may apply at some sites.
What is Mithila art?
A painting tradition of the Mithila region, traditionally made by women on the walls of homes for festivals and weddings, with bold lines and bright colours. It is now also painted on paper and cloth.
Nearby
Town or village · 1,627 m
Ilam
A hill town in Nepal's far east, surrounded by tea gardens, with sunrise viewpoints towards Kanchenjunga and a sacred wetland lake.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Janakpur, Wikipedia, Janakpur, Wikivoyage, Wikipedia: Janaki Mandir, Wikipedia: Madhubani art