Janaki Mandir

Janaki Mandir

Abode temple of Maithali people
Janaki Mandir
Location in Nepal
Name
Other names Nau Lakha Mandir
Proper name Janki Mandir
Geography
Coordinates 26°43′50″N 85°55′32″E / 26.73056°N 85.92556°ECoordinates: 26°43′50″N 85°55′32″E / 26.73056°N 85.92556°E
Country NepalNepal
District Dhanusa District
Location Janakpurdham
Elevation 78 m (256 ft)
Culture
Primary deity Sita (Janaki)
Consort Rama
Important festivals Vivaha Panchami, Rama Navami
Architecture
Architectural styles Nepalese Architect (Hindu-Rajput Style)
History and governance
Date built 1967 B.S (1910 AD)
Creator General Amar Singh Thapa
Website Janakitemple.gov.np

Janaki Mandir (Nepali: जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple in Janakpur, Nepal, dedicated to the goddess Sita.[1] It is the primary temple of Maithali native indigenous to Nepal.

It is an example of 'Hindu-Rajput' Nepali architecture. It is often considered the most important model of Rajput architecture in Nepal. Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 4,860 sq. feet in a mixed style of Islamic and Rajput domes, the temple is 50 meters high. It is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, colored glass, engravings and paintings, with beautiful lattice windows and turrets. According to legends, King Janak ruled this area (called Mithila Desh) during the Ramayana period. His daughter Janaki (Sita), during her swyambar, had chosen Lord Rama as her husband, and become queen of Ayodhya. There marriage ceremony is believed to have occurred in the nearby Temple.

History

The temple is popularly known as the Nau Lakh Mandir (meaning Nine Lakhs). The cost for the construction of the temple was about the same amount of money: Rupees Nine Lakhs or Nine Hundred Thousands and hence the name. Government of Kingdom of Nepal and Queen Vrisha Bhanu – of Tikamgarhm, India provided aid to Gurkha Soldier General Amar Singh Thapa to build the temple in 1910 AD. 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 had it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi 'Shurkishordas Nepali 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 performed the worship of Shiva-Dhanus on this site.

Pilgrimage

Every year, thousands of pilgrims from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and other countries visit Ram Janaki Temple to worship Lord Ram and Sita. During the festivals of Ram Nawami, Vivaha Panchami, Dashain and Tihar, there is presence of even more worshipers.

Photographs

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://janakpurdham.com/janaki-temple/

External links