Historical and Religious site: Dhanushadham

Dhanushadham is a historical and religious site, its reference dating back to the great Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed to be the place where fell broken remains of the divine shiva bow that Ram broke to obtain Sita’s hand for marriage. A fossilized fragment of the broken piece is still believed to be seen and is worshipped by devotees.

Nearby is Janakpur, the capital of ancient Mithila culture, and famous as birthplace of Sita believed to be incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi of the Hindu mythology. It is also believed to be the place where lord Ram and Sita met for the first time, fell in love and were married to each other. A temple in janakpurdham known as Janaki Temple dedicated to Sita, is the prime attraction of this region.

Janaki Temple Janakpur

Dhanusha offers religious sightseeing, rich Terai flora and fauna, semi-rural charm of the Janakpur suburbs and the colorful art and culture of south Nepal. Janakpur also falls on the holy route of Parikrama carried out by the Hindus as a form of worship in Ayodhya, Kashi and Brij in India as well.

Access: Dhanushadham is in Dhanusha district and Janakpur zone. Janakpur is approximately 390 kilometers and 10 hour drive from Kathmandu. Buses to district headquarters Janakpur city leave from Central Bus Station, Gongabu, in Kathmandu. One can also take a 40-minute flight to Janakpur city from Kathmandu. Dhanushadham which is 18 kilometers is an hour drive from Janakpur. Public transportation is available to Dhanushadham from the city area.

Food and Accomodation: Luxury hotels to budget accommodation and food facilities are available in Janakpur city. Dharmashalas are also available for pilgrims at Dhanushadham site. Food is delicious with Indian culinary touch. Varieties of sweets and vegetarian specialties are available for devot Hindus. Other tourist facilities are also available in Janakpur city.

 
When to Visit: The best months to visit Dhanushadham is between October-March. The weather is hot, humid during summers and pleasant during winters, with maximum rain between June-August.

Festival celebrated with much pomp and joy are: Ram Navami during Dashain in October, Vivah Panchami that celebrates Ram-Sita union in November, the famous Terai festival of Chhat Parba also in November, Maghe Sankranti in January, and Falgun Purnima in February or March when thousands of devotees carry out Parikrama of Janakpur and nearby sacred sites.

 
Predominant Culture: Diverse cultural groups live in the district of Dhanusha. Yadavs, Teli, Brahmins, Kayastha, Tharu, Musahar, Rajput, and Chhetri, are the main inhabitants of these villages. Most are farmers by occupation. The whole region is also considered center of the Maithali culture, therefore Maithali art and culture is predominant in this area.

 
Places to Visit:

• Janaki Mandir also known as Naulakha Mandir is dedicated to Sita who is also known by the name Janaki. A rare blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the temple is the first and only example of its kind in Nepal. The temple has a beautiful garden and an adorned Vivah Mandap or wedding courtyard dedicated to Ram and Sita. The temple is in Janakpur city, the headquarters of Dhanusha district.

• Dhanusha Mandir in Dhanushadham is a historical temple constructed in 1939 A.D. Dhanushadham falls on the resting place of Parikrama route that has special significance to Hindus. It is situated 18 kilometers north east of Janakpurdham and only 10 kilometers from Dharapani on East-West Highway.
• Dhanusha Forest: near Dhanusha Temple is ideal for picnic or leisurely walk in the shade. The forest is lush with trees, bushes and a big pond. There are possibilities of carrying out sports in the lake in future. The forest is near by Dhanusha Temple.
• Parashuram Kunda: previously known as Janak Sarobar holds historical as well as cultural significance. It is believed to be the pond where Rishi Parashuram bathed to quell his anger after his confrontation with Ram over breaking of the sacred bow. The lake is also picturesque, with lotus flowers growing on it and lush trees on its southern banks. The lake in Mithileshwor Nikas VDC is 4 kilometers west from Dhanushadham. It falls on the way to Dhanushadham from Janakpurdham.

 
Prigrimage Sites: There are several other pilgrimage sites in and around Dhaunsha area. Among the many temples are Ram mandir, Ganesh Mandir, Shiva mandir, Hanuman Mandir, Ram Krishna Mandir, Panchamukhi Hanuman Mandir, Baba Makhandada Kuti, Subba Kuti, and others. Jaleshwor Mahadev in Jaleswor is another popular temple in the nearby area. The temple of Jaleswor Mahadev was built by the King Girban Bir Bikram Shah Dev in 1867 B.S.

Some other popular pilgrimage sites are: Maithani, where there are 12 temples and 8 ponds dedicated to different deities; Madai, where the temple of Muneswor Mahadev is situated; Kanchan Ban, where popular temples in the area are situated; Parbata, where a temple of Hanuman is situated; Karuna, where the famous temple of Ram Janaki is a major attraction.