Janaki Mandir

Janaki Mandir
Janaki Mandir
जानकी मन्दिर
	Front view of Janaki Mandir
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Dhanusa District
Province	Madhesh Pradesh
Deity	Sita and Rama
Festivals	Vivaha Panchami, Rama Navami, Dashain and Tihar
Location
Location	Janakpurdham
Country	Nepal
	Location in Nepal
Geographic coordinates	26°43′50″N 85°55′32″E / 26.73056°N 85.92556°E
Architecture
Type	Hindu-Kushwaha
Creator	Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh
Completed	1967 BS (1910 AD)
Specifications
Temple(s)	70
Monument(s)	27
Elevation	78 m (256 ft)

Janaki Mandir (Nepali: जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple in Janakpurdham, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of Koiri Hindu architecture.^[1] ^[2] ^[3] Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,480 square metres (15,930 sq. feet), it is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble.^[4]

The walls of the temple have Madhubani paintings. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, coloured glass, engravings, and paintings, with lattice windows and turrets.

The Sita Swayamvara (groom choosing ceremony) of Janaki (Sita) and Rama as described in the Ramayana is believed to have occurred here at the wedding mandapa attached to this temple. The site was designated as a UNESCO tentative site in 2008.^[5]

History

The mandir is also popularly known as the Nau Lakha Mandir (meaning "nine lakhs"). The cost for the construction of the temple was about the same amount of gold coins: nine lakhs or nine hundred thousand gold coins, hence the name. Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Orchha State (also known as Urchha, Ondchha and Tikamgarh) built the temple in 1910 AD. This temple lies at Janakpur, Nepal.

In 1657, a golden statue of the Goddess Sita was found at the very spot, and Sita is said to have lived there. The legend said it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas had found the images of Goddess Sita. In fact, Shurkishordas was the founder of modern Janakpur and the great saint and poet who preached about the Sita Upasana (also called Sita Upanishad) philosophy. Legend has claimed it that King Janak (Seeradhwaj) performed the worship of Shiva-Dhanus on this site.

As of 26 April 2015^[update], the temple is reported to have partly collapsed from the earthquake in April 2015.^[6]

Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands of pilgrims 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.