Dhanusha
Sacred city of Janakpur, Mithila art and the land of Sita
Dhanusha is the spiritual centre of Madhesh Province, home to Janakpur, revered as the birthplace of the goddess Sita and one of Hinduism's major pilgrimage cities.
The district's sacred sites, Dhanushadham, linked to Lord Ram's divine bow, and Dhanusa Kunda, a pond tied to the Ramayana, extend Janakpur's religious landscape across the wider district.
Dhanusha is also the heartland of Mithila art, the distinctive folk-painting tradition still practised in villages surrounding Janakpur.
Curated Experiences
Our journeys in Nepal.
Popular Attractions
3 places
Culture
People & Culture
Dhanusha is predominantly Maithili-speaking, with Janakpur serving as the cultural capital of Nepal's Mithila region. The Janaki Mandir hosts the major Vivaha Panchami festival, re-enacting the wedding of Ram and Sita, drawing pilgrims from across Nepal and India. Mithila (Madhubani) wall and floor painting, practised for generations by local women, remains one of the district's most recognisable living art forms.
Activities
Things to Do
Visit JanakpurDham and the Janaki Mandir, birthplace of Sita
See Dhanushadham, linked to Lord Ram's divine bow
Visit Dhanusa Kunda, a sacred pond from the Ramayana
See traditional Mithila art in villages around Janakpur
Travel Information
Best Time to Visit
October, November, February, March
Other Districts in Madhesh Provinces
Stories from Dhanusha
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