| Janaki Mandir | |
| Map Type: | Nepal |
| Coordinates: | 26.7306°N 85.9256°W |
| Native Name: | जानकी मन्दिर |
| Country: | Nepal |
| Province: | Madhesh Pradesh |
| District: | Dhanusa District |
| Locale: | Janakpurdham |
| Elevation M: | 78 |
| Deity: | Sita and Rama |
| Festivals: | Vivaha Panchami, Rama Navami, Dashain and Tihar |
| Architecture: | Hindu-Kushwaha |
| Temple Quantity: | 70 |
| Monument Quantity: | 27 |
| Year Completed: | 1967 BS (1910 AD) |
| Creator: | Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh |
Janaki Mandir (Nepali: जानकी मन्दिर) is a Hindu temple in Janakpurdham, Nepal, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sita. It is an example of Koiri Hindu architecture.[1] [2] [3] Fully built in bright white and constructed in an area of 1,480 square metres (15,930 sq. feet) in the Mithila Kingdom, it is a three-storied structure made entirely of stone and marble.[4]
The walls of the temple have Mithila (Madhubani) paintings. All its 60 rooms are decorated with the flag of Nepal, coloured glass, engravings, and paintings, with lattice windows and turrets.
According to the Ramayana, King Janaka ruled the Videha Kingdom from the region of Janakpur, which was the first capital of Mithila during the period. His daughter, Janaki (Sita), during her svayamvara (groom choosing ceremony), chose Rama as her husband, and become the queen of Ayodhya. Their wedding ceremony is believed to have occurred in the 5th century constructed ancient wedding mandapa attached to this temple, which was later reconstructed for repair by Amar Singh Thapa. The site was designated as a UNESCO tentative site in 2008.[5]
The mandir is also popularly known as the Nau Lakha Mandir (meaning "nine lakhs"). The cost for the construction of the temple was about the same amount of gold coins: nine lakhs or nine hundred thousand gold coins, hence the name. Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Orchha State (also known as Urchha, Ondchha and Tikamgarh) built the temple in 1910 AD. This temple lies at Janakpur, Nepal.
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 said it that it was built on the holy site where Sannyasi Shurkishordas 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 (Seeradhwaj) performed the worship of Shiva-Dhanus on this site.
, the temple is reported to have partly collapsed from the earthquake in April 2015.[6]
Every year, thousands of pilgrims from Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and other countries visit Ram Janaki Temple to worship Lord Ram and Sita. Many worshippers visit the temple during the festivals of Ram Nawami, Vivaha Panchami, Dashain and Tihar.