Janakpur Dham – Venue of Ram Janaki Wedding

Janakpur Dham is the ancient capital of Mithila. Today, it falls within the political boundaries of Nepal, but culturally it remains an integral part of Mithilanchal. This district of Nepal that has Janakpur, is called Dhanush after the Dhanush or bow that was broken here during the Ramayana era.

Ramayana and Janakpur

There are two Yatras or travels that form the core of Ramayana story. Of these the later one where Sri Ram travels southwards and fights with Ravana of Lanka is more famous in the public memory.

The first travel he does is to Janakpur with his Guru Vishwamitra. This is where in a garden he first met Sita Ji. Then, he went on the break the Dhanush of Shiva to win Sita’s hand. He and his three brothers get married to Sita and her three sisters in Janakpur.

Goswami Tulsidas in Ramcharitmanas describe the wedding of Sri Ram and Janaki in great details. Vivah Panchami, the date on which the wedding happened is still celebrated as a festival in Janakpur as well as in Ayodhya.

Story of Ma Sita

Sita was found in the field by Raja Janak of Mithila after he worshipped Haleshwar Mahadev. The place today is identified as Sitamarhi. She was raised in his palace at Janakpur.

When it was time for her marriage, Raja Janak announced that whoever can break the bow or Dhanush of Shiva will win the hand of Sita. A day before the Swayamvara, or choosing of the groom, Sita ji and Sri Ram happened to come across each other in a garden. They do not speak but know that they are meant to be together.

Sita prays to the Gauri or Parvati and silently tells her wish to marry Sri Ram. As destiny would have it, Sri Ram broke the bow and was married to Sita. His brothers Bharat, Lakshman and Shatrughan were respectively married to Sita’s sisters Mandovi, Urmila and Shrutikirti.

The elaborate rituals of a Maithili wedding are a part of the Ramayana story, as is the hospitality of Janak. Women of Mithila take pride in the fact that Sri Ram is their son-in-law and they have the right to tease him. Folk songs of Mithila do celebrate this relationship.

Janakpur Dham

Janakpur Dham was on my wish list since the time I explored Ayodhya and translated Ayodhya Mahatmya. I have been to most places associated with Ramayana, including most of Ramayana sites in Sri Lanka, but Mithila eluded me for a long time.

I had seen…