Overview
The largest temple in Nepal, at Janakpurdham in the Mithila country, marking the traditional site of Sita's discovery and of the Svayamvara at which Rama won her. On UNESCO's Tentative List since 2008.
History
The standing building is not ancient: it was constructed in 1910, funded by Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh at a reported cost of about nine lakh rupees, which is why it is also called Naulakha Mandir. The sanctity of the place is old; the fabric is Edwardian. Three storeys, built entirely in stone and marble, painted brilliant white, covering about 1,480 square metres. 2015 earthquake. Partly collapsed in the April 2015 earthquake. The sources consulted give no detail on which sections.
Spiritual Significance
Janakpur is Mithila, the kingdom of Sita's father Janaka, and this temple is the centre of the Ramayana's Mithila episodes. For pilgrims on the Rama circuit it is the counterpart to Ayodhya: the bride's city rather than the groom's. It is distinct from the Mithila Shakti Peetha, which is covered separately on this platform and honours Uma Devi. Pilgrims frequently conflate the two, but the sources separate them clearly.
Prayers at Janaki Mandir, Janakpur
आरती श्री रामायण जी की
श्री रघुबीर भक्त हितकारी।सुनि लीजै प्रभु अरज हमारी॥
अस्य श्रीरामरक्षास्तोत्रमन्त्रस्य। बुधकौशिक ऋषिः। श्रीसीतारामचन्द्रो देवता। अनुष्टुप् छन्दः। सीता शक्तिः।
श्री रामचन्द्र कृपालु भजुमन हरण भवभय दारुणं।
रां रामाय नमः
Pilgrimage Information
No entry restriction on non-Hindus was documented in the sources consulted. Nepal restricts entry to several major temples, sometimes only to the inner sanctum and sometimes to the whole compound. Where this page records a restriction it is what sources state; where sources conflict it says so. Confirm locally before travelling a long way.
Sources
- Janaki Mandir other
About this page
Researched and written by YatraBeyond from published sources, and not yet confirmed by the temple. Facts here are cross-checked against at least two independent sources, never written from memory, and every source is listed above.
Last reviewed by us: 2026-09-17. Timings, entry rules and access can change without notice; treat anything time-sensitive as a starting point and confirm before you travel.
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