Janakpurdham

Vivah Panchami 2022

January 21, 2023January 21, 2023 by Mon

Mon

Vivah Panchami celebrates the marriage of Lord Ram with Goddess Sita, and the connection between Janakpudham and Ayodhya. The city is said to be decorated “as a bride” for the festival. The sacred geography of the city is renewed through religious rituals and public events performed in key locations, mostly…

The material presence of the divine in Janakpur

June 3, 2022July 4, 2022 by Mon

Mon

As I go through pictures of my fieldwork in Janakpur to prepare a presentation, the performative culture of the city stands out in astonishing ways. It is not only the Mithila paintings that adorn the walls, some still showing the bright colours of a recent addition, others fading, and witnessing…

“Mithila” murals everywhere

April 21, 2022May 2, 2022 by Mon

Mon

What is usually described as "Mithila paintings" are omnipresent in Janakpur public spaces. A full wall painting welcomes travellers at the airport. The hall of the newly constructed railway station also displays them. You can find them along the wall of the Janaki temple compound, but also in the wall…

The city of ponds

April 19, 2022April 28, 2022 by Mon

Mon

In Janakpurdham there are 72 ponds that are historically and mythologically important. Besides Mithila murals, ponds are probably the most unique marker of place in the city. Ganga Sagar is an important holy site for the devotees who come to take ritual baths and one of the best kept ponds.…

Ramnavami and Ram Mandir

April 11, 2022April 28, 2022 by Mon

Mon

Rama Navami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of god Ram, the seventh avatar of the deity Vishnu. Ram Temple is one of the oldest in Janakpur, built at the beginning of the 18th century by Amar Singh Thapa. One of the reasons why I travelled to Janakpur…

Janakpur’s train and the border

April 8, 2022April 27, 2022 by Mon

Mon

This morning I walked along the railway as a shortcut to a meeting. Yesterday I saw the new train to India pass by. The border is so important for this city. However, it seems that over the last ten years, Nepal border control officers have been creating problems to Indian…

Colours of Janakpur

April 3, 2022July 5, 2022 by Mon

Mon

A short 20 minute flight (after a 2 hour delay) brings me to Janakpur. What strikes me most at first is the heat and the colours of the city. Janakpurdham or Janakpur is a sub-metropolitan city in Dhanusa District and capital of the newly named Madhes Province (former Province 2).…