JANAKI MANDIR, Janakpur (June, 2007) About the origin of Janakpur and Janak dynasty (videha), we get a detailed description in the Vishnu puran. It had been mentioned in the Vishnu puran (1961, part IV , ch.v pp. 310-312) that the son of Ikshwaku was Nimi once he instituted a sacrifice and for that he appealed to vasistha to offer the oblations. Since, Vasistha was preoccupied with some assignment for God Indra. He said that if the king would wait for some time he would com and officiate as supertending priest. However, when Vasistha returned he found that king Nimi had retained Gautama and other priests to minister at his Sacrifice. This made vasistha angry and he cursed the king saying that Nimi should thence fourth cease to exist in corporal form.
Nimi abandoned his bodily condition. When the sacrifice was concluded the priest applied to the gods, who had come to receive their portions that they would confer a blessing upon the author of the sacrifice. The Gods were willing to restore him to bodily life, but Nimi declined its acceptance saying “O deities, who are the alleviators of all worldly sufferings, there is not in the world a deeper cause of distress than the separation of soul and body. It is therefore my wish to dwell in the eyes of all beings, but never more to resume a corporal shape. To this desire the Gods asserted and Nimi was placed by them in the eyes of all living creatures, in consequence of which eye – lids are ever opening and shutting. As Nimi left no successor the Munis apprehensive of the consequences of the earth being without a ruler, agitated the body of prince and produced from it a prince who was called Janak, for being without a body (Videha), he was termed also vaideha the son of bodiless and he further received the name of mithi, from having been produced by agitation (Manthan).
This temple is situated almost in the heart of the city. Its largeness, the magnificence of its look and the calmness of the atmosphere pervading around arrest the heart of its visitors. The idols installed in the temple are those of Vasistha, Satananda, Sunayana, Sita and of the four brothers Rama, Laxman, Bharat and Shatrughan. The temple is surrounded on all its four sides by large two storeyed whitewashed building , right above in gaffe, are two gigantic stone images of the lions. This temple is the tallest among all. This is also called Janaki Mahal. Janaki temple is also called Shish Mahal (Glass house). It is massive marble temple in the centre of town of Janakpur. This temple was built by the queen Brikha Bhanu of Tikam Garh of India. If is said that she had come to Janakpur for seeking the blessing of Goddess Janaki for being gifted with a son. At the time she had visited Janakpur having this wish, in place of the present huge majestic looking temple, there was only small old temple with the golden idols of Rama and Sita. When her wish of getting son had been fulfilled, she had constructed the present temple in dedication to the Goddess. It is believed to be where King Janak found Sita lying in a farm field which he was ploughing himself due to famine. The present Janaki temple which is said to have been constructed in 1968 B.S. (1911 A.D.). The temple is architecturally unique in Nepal, showing Moghul influence though it remained by and large outside the Muslim domain. Pilgrims pay homage to Goddess Janaki on the auspicious occasions of Vivaha Panchami and Ram Navami. This temple is open to every Hindu devotee of the world.
This is a newly constructed temple where the marriage ceremony of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita is solemnized every year on the auspicious occasion of Vivah Panchami. Lord Rama and Sita are in full make up and wedding attire. It is nearby the Janaki Mandir. A suitable and beautiful place for several gods and goddesses, saints and sages who are installed here. They represent Janakpur and Ayodhya respectively. This is a new marriage canopy which is very attractive. Dasharath and Janak are seen seated in the centre with their family priests. This canopy represents the Nepalese architectural style.
This custom of circumambulation around certain centres of Hindu pilgrimage is considered very auspicious according to the Hindu Scriptures. There are three Parikaramas which are undertaken in the sacred complex of Janakpur in which about 10,0000 people ‘Join on the full moon day of Falgun (February/March). Many of the devout devotees perform prosfrations along in 8 kms route. This pilgrimage coincides with the festival of Holi, a festival of flying colours. There are three types of Parikramas.1. Birhad(Big) 2. Madhyarn (Middle) 3. Laghu (Lower)
It has been recorded that there are three months viz. Kartik, Phalgun and Baisakh when the parikrama can be undertaken. The Parikrama of Phalgun is very popular. The Brihad Parikrama is of 268 kms a round whole Mithila. It is started from Kausiki. From Kausiki they reach Singheshwarii and then this Parikrama ends. The Mithila Mahatamyo records that those who are unable to undertake Brihad Parikrama should participate in Madhyam Parikrama is of 40 kosas (128 kms). The orthodox Hindu pilgrims completed this within five days. However, this is completed in 15 days by ordinary Hindu devotees. It starts on the first day of the light fortnight of Phalgun and comes to an end on Poornima. This is called Antargrih Parikrama. The third type of Parikrama is called Laghu which is of 8 kms. This is also known as Antar griha Parikaroma and it takes about 4 to 5 hours to complete. Besides, there is also a Malmas and Mandali Panchkoshi Parikrama. If is nothing but the organization of a grand feast called Bhandare which is arranged by collecting subscriptions both in a cash and kinds from various groups of pilgrims called Mandali. contd........