Heart of Janakpur The Janaki Temple

At the heart of Janakpur lies the exquisite marble Janaki Mandir, one of the finest pieces of architecture in Nepal. Built in extravagant baroque Mughal style, the Janaki Mandir is Janakpur’s most important temple and is dedicated to Sita, the wife of Rama and heroine of the Ramayana. It’s believed to stand on the exact spot where King Janak found the infant Sita lying in the furrow of a ploughed field. The temple only dates from 1912, but it feels much older with its white marble arches, domes, turrets and screens. It looks a little like a glorious wedding cake, designed for a maharajah.

A steady stream of pilgrims file in through the gatehouse to worship the Sita statue in the inner sanctum . The temple is particularly popular with women, who wear their best and most colourful saris for the occasion. Early evening is the most atmospheric time to visit, as the temple is draped with colourful lights and pilgrims arrive in their masses.