Mithila

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Mithila (Sanskrit: मिथिला, mithilā) was a kingdom in ancient India. It existed in the eastern Gangetic plains in areas which is today spread over more than half of Bihar state of India, and parts of adjoining Nepal. Mithila was the capital of Videha Kingdom as per epic Ramayana. This city is identified as modern day Janakpur in Dhanusa district of Nepal. The country of Videha is sometimes referred as Mithila though it was the capital city, much the same way as Kosala Kingdom is referred as Ayodhya though Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala kingdom.

According to D.D. Kosāmbi, Śatpath Brāhmana tells that Māthava Videgha, led by his priest Gotama Rahugana, was the first king who crossed Sadānirā (supposed to be Gandaka) and founded a kingdom, where the people named videhas lived at the time of composition of Śatpath Brāhmana. Gotama Rahugana was a vedic rishi who composed many hymns of the first mandala of Rgveda. Most notable Rgvedic hymns of Gotama Rahugana are those which praise Sva-rājya, which was indisputably the State of Videgha which later became Videha due to phonetic change. Māthava Videgha, therefore, must belong to the Rgvedic period and must have preceded the period of Śatpath Brāhmana by a considerable gap. Rgveda also mentions hymns by Kāśirāja Pratardana in tenth mandala. Hence, Mithilā and Kāśhi formed part of the region in which Rgvedic peoples lived. Descendandants of Gotama Rahugana were called Gautama. One such sage lived near Ahilya-sthāna during the age of Rāmāyana.

The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both Gautama Buddha and Vardamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila. It also formed the center of Indian history during the first millennium, and has contributed to various literary and scriptural works.

Maithili is the language spoken in Mithila. Linguists consider Maithili to be an Eastern Indic language, and thus a different language from Hindi, which is Central Indic. Maithili has previously been considered a dialect of both Hindi and Bengali. In fact Maithili is now a part of the Eighth Schedule of Indian official languages.

The most important reference to Mithila is in the Hindu epic, Ramayana where Lord Rama's wife Sita is said to have been the princess of the land, born to King Janaka, who ruled Mithila from Janakpur. Other famous kings of Mithila during ancient period are King Bhanumath, Satghumanya, Suchi, Urjnama, Satdhwya, Kriti, Anjan, Arisnami, Srutayu, Supasyu, Suryasu, Srinjay, Sourmabi, Anena, Bhimrath, Satyarath, Upangu, Upgupt, Swagat, Snanand, Subrachya, Supraswa, Subhasn, Suchurut, Susurath, Jay, Vijay, Critu, Suny, Vith Habya, Dwati, Bahulaswa, Kriti Tirtiya.1

Mithila is also the name of a style of Hindu art created in the Mithila area. It started as ritual geometric and symbolic decorations of households done by women, especially before a marriage, on the walls and floors of a house, and not known to many outside the region. After paper was brought to the area, women began to sell their artwork and expand their subjects to popular and local Hindu deities as well as to the depiction of everyday events. Ganga Devi is perhaps the most famous Mithila artist; she illustrated traditional ritual Mithila decorations, depictions of popular deities, scenes from the Ramayana, and events in her own life.

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[edit] Geography and climate

The Mithila region is situated in the northern plain of Ganges. Main places in this region are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur, Samastipur, Madhepura, Begusarai, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Purbi Champaran, Paschim Champaran, Munger, Bhagalpur and Janakpur. Janakpur is now in Nepal's region. The climate in this region is mainly dry and cool. In summers the temperature wanders around the 35 to 45 degree Celsius range and in winter it is 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. This area is very near to the mean sea level hence the winter becomes uncomfortable. The months of February to March and then October to November are the best ones to roam around.

The soil is suited for agriculture, which is the region's main economic stake. Rainfall is sufficient for agriculture.

This area is flooded every year causing terrific problem in the life of peoples and loss of billions of rupees. Dams on various rivers are felt by some people to be urgent necessary for the people. But others fear that large dams in an earthquake-prone zones will be more disastrous than annual floods.

[edit] Economy

Agriculture is the main economic stake of the region. Main crops are paddy, wheat, pulses, moong, urad, arhar, jute (with a recent decline in its production), and maize. These days, with agriculture not able to compete with other parts of the country, it's becoming one of the most backward regions. Flood destroys enormous amounts of crop every year. Due to absence of Industries, weak educational infrastructure and criminalized politics, the majority of youth has to relocate for education and earnings. At the bright side of this relocation, it has made them key players in leading sectors and locations of India.

Mithla Painting is now gaining market share back. Now, government is also supporting this as national heritage.

[edit] People and life

This part of the land is rich with culture and traditions. People here respect their parents and believe in peaceful life. With a strong belief in God, they generally live in larger families. Main cultural extravaganza happens during marriages and festivals; Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, Chhath, Shivratri, Madhushravni (mainly concerned with newly married couples), and Muharram are the most celebrated ones.

A small film industry also exists. Of the many movies produced in Mailthili, "Sasta Jingi Mahag Senoor", "Mamta Gabe Geet" is perhaps the best known.

Natives of this region are called Maithil.

Mundan is very popular tradition in Mithila. In mundan, the shaving of child's hair is done for the first time in his life. This is accompanied with bhoj(party) and celebration. Sometimes, it become very extravagant.

Mundan ceremony in mithila

The most unusual and important custom in Mithla is its Marriage tradition. It include four days marriage chautrthi, Barsait, Madhushravni, Kojagara , and finally duragman (First time home coming of bride).It is traditionally fixed using complex genealogical tables called Panchang among Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas.

The Story of Gonu Jha, is most favorite among grandmother stories to their grandchild. Maithili is so sweet and soft to listen and speak that it's tough to guess hot discussions among them.

[edit] Kings of Mithila

[edit] External links

* The Portal on Mithila Culture & Happenings

Historical regions of North India
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