॥ जनकनन्दिनी सीता ॥
Salutations to Janaki, daughter of King Janak
Welcome to Sitamarhi
The sacred birthplace of Goddess Sita. King Janak found her as a child in a furrow while ploughing these fields. Sitamarhi: Sita Janmabhoomi, heart of ancient Mithila.
Land of Sita, Heart of Mithila
Sitamarhi, the sacred birthplace of Goddess Sita, sits in northern Bihar's Mithila region, the land of Sita. Her name and "Mahi" (land) together mean the land of Sita. The city is a major pilgrimage destination for devotees visiting Punaura Dham and Janaki Sthan Mandir.
Punaura Dham marks the exact spot where King Janak found Sita during a yagna. The plough uncovered her, and he raised her as his daughter. Temples, sacred tanks, and annual fairs surround this site. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit Sitamarhi for Ram Navami Mela and other festivals at Punaura Dham and Janaki Sthan.
Pilgrimage & Heritage
Sitamarhi temples, sacred tanks, and festivals across the Mithila district. Complete pilgrimage guide to Sita Janmabhoomi.
Holy Site
Punaura Dham
Birthplace of Sita. King Janak found her in a golden pot while ploughing during a yagna. Sage Pundrik's ashram stood here. Sita Kund: sacred tank with 108 ponds marking her exact birthplace. Sita Rasoi (free kitchen since 2019) for pilgrims from outside district. Daily bus to Haleshwar Sthan, Panthpakar & Janakpur (Nepal) by Mahavir Mandir Trust. Janaki Janmasthali Mandir: grand temple under construction on 67 acres (foundation: CM Nitish Kumar 2023, Home Minister Amit Shah 2025).
Temple
Janaki Sthan Mandir
Main temple in town center (~1.5km from station). Built ~100 years ago. Land donated in 1599 by King Narpati Singh of Raj Darbhanga. Founder was Hiraram Das of Revasa Math (Rajasthan). Follows Ramanuja tradition. The Urvija Kund adjacent is where King Janaka bathed baby Sita. Massive crowds during Navratri and Ram Navami. Every year: Sitamarhi Dham Parikrama on Janaki Navami covering major religious centres.
Math
Bagahi Math (Bagahi Dham)
19th-century monastery on Darbhanga road. First Shiva Panchayatan Mandir in North Bihar. Founded by Baba Tapasvi Narayan Das. Known for 10-day grand Sitaram Naam Jap Mahayajna drawing devotees from India & Nepal. Maithil brick architecture with curved roofs, tulsi courtyard. Current Mahant: Baba Sukhdev Ji Maharaj.
Sacred Tank
Janaki Kund & Sacred Tanks
Ancient stepped tanks: Janaki Kund, Sita Kund at Punaura (108 small ponds representing 108 names of Durga). King Janaka bathed baby Sita here. Used for ritual bathing during festivals. Water believed to have healing properties.
Festival
Ram Navami Mela
Month-long fair during Ramanavami (March-April). Cultural programs, Ramayana discourses, food stalls, village crafts, Jhijhiya & Domkach folk dances. Draws devotees from Bihar, Jharkhand, UP. Sitamarhi cattle fair is the largest in Bihar state. Pottery, spices, brassware trading.
Ancient Shiva Temple
Haleshwar Sthan Mandir
Ancient Shiva temple situated 3 km north of Sitamarhi town. Mythologically founded by King Janak after invoking Lord Shiva while ploughing the fields for the Putrakameshti Yajna. Special celebrations and massive gatherings on Maha Shivratri and Shravan Somwar.
Sacred Heritage
Panthpakar & Deokuli Dham
Panthpakar (8 km): The sacred spot where Goddess Sita's wedding palanquin (doli) was placed under an ancient banyan tree on her journey to Ayodhya. Deokuli Dham (19 km): Ancient Shiva temple linked to Guru Dronacharya and Draupadi's heritage.
Mithila Circuit
Janakpur & the Mithila Circuit
Just 75 km north lies Janakpur (Nepal), the royal city of King Janak and childhood home of Sita. The Janaki Mandir (9248x6936px marble palace, largest in Nepal) is her wedding venue. Together with Sitamarhi's Punaura Dham, they form the Mithila pilgrimage circuit. Extend west to Ayodhya (350 km), holy city of Lord Rama, and trace the full Ramayan journey.
📍 Sitamarhi (birth) → Janakpur (75km, wedding) → Ayodhya (350km, Ram Mandir)
🛕 4th leg: Sita Samahit Sthal, Prayagraj (400km). Sita merged into earth near Valmiki Ashram on the Ganga. 108ft Hanuman statue. One of 5 great Teerths of Purvanchal.
Mithila's Living Heritageमिथिला की संस्कृति
Heart of Mithila. Land of Madhubani paintings, poet Vidyapati, and Sita's own traditions. Maithil culture lives through its art and festivals.
Madhubani (Mithila) Art
GI-tagged. Painted by women using fingers, twigs, natural colors (turmeric, indigo, vermilion). Styles: Bharni, Kachni, Goidana. Subjects: mythology, nature. Once on mud walls, now on paper & canvas worldwide.
Vidyapati & Maithili Lit
Poet Vidyapati (14th-15th C) is the crown jewel of Maithili literature. His Padavalis essential at festivals. Maithili: one of India's 22 scheduled languages, 700+ year literary tradition, among oldest in North India.
Traditional Dress
Women: Laal-Paara saree (white/yellow with red border) + Shakha-Pola bangles after marriage. Men: Maithil Kurta (left-tie), Dhoti, Mithila Paag (headgear), Gold nose ring (Baali). Gamchha with Madhubani border.
Maithil Cuisine
Dahi-chura (flattened rice + yogurt), Makhana (foxnut) kheer, Thekua (sweet), Pua, Tarua, Bada, Dahi-Badee, Achar. Satvik, pure vegetarian. Mustard oil and rice backbone of meals.
Music & Dance
Folk songs: Sohar (childbirth), Vivah geet (weddings). Dances: Jhijhiya (Dussehra, women dance with clay lamps), Domkach (marriage). Ramlila & Sama Chakeva theatre traditions. Maithil Kurta thread (Dori) tied left.
Scholars of Mithila
Udayanacharya (10th-11th C), Nyaya school philosopher. Mandana Mishra (Mimansa). Ancient Mithila University known for Nyaya Shastra. Modern: Lalit Narayan Mithila University carries the legacy.
Through the Agesइतिहास
From the Treta Yuga to present day. Ancient Mithila kingdom to modern Sitamarhi district, the land of Sita through history.
"जय सीता माता की"
- Janaki Sthan Mandir
Getting to Sitamarhi
Well-connected by rail and road. Easy to reach from all major Bihar cities.
By Rail
Sitamarhi Jn (station code: STLR) on Raxaul-Darbhanga route. Direct trains: Lichhvi Express (Delhi-Sitamarhi via Kanpur, Varanasi, Samastipur), Sitamahal Express, Gandak Express. Connects to Patna, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai. Full train list ↗
By Road
NH 227 links to Patna (140 km, 3.5-4 hr), Muzaffarpur (60 km, 2-2.5 hr), Darbhanga (70 km). Buses every 15 min from Patna. Fare ~₹155-180. State-run Bihar SRTD & private buses daily.
By Air
Nearest: Darbhanga Airport (70 km), direct flights Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad. Patna Airport (140 km), all major cities. Taxi from Darbhanga: ~₹1500-2000. Raxaul rail route connects both ends seamlessly.
Local Travel
Cycle rickshaw (most reliable, cheap), shared three-wheelers, e-rickshaws. Taxis from station/bus stand. All pilgrimage sites within 10-15 km radius. Town is walkable for nearby sites (Janaki Sthan, Janaki Kund).
📍 Distance & Travel Matrix to Sitamarhi
| Route / Destination | Distance | Travel Time | Best Travel Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janakpur Dham, Nepal (Mithila Capital) | 45 km | 1 hr 15 min | Direct Bus via Bhitthamore Border / Taxi |
| Darbhanga Airport (DBR) (Nearest Airport) | 68 km | 1 hr 30 min | Taxi / Direct Train via SH-52 |
| Muzaffarpur Junction | 60 km | 1 hr 30 min | NH-77 Bus / MEMU & Express Trains |
| Patna (State Capital / Jay Prakash Airport) | 140 km | 3.5 - 4 hrs | NH-22 State AC Bus / Direct Express Trains |
| Ayodhya, UP (Ram Janmabhoomi) | 440 km | 8 - 9 hrs | Ram Janki Path Highway / Amrit Bharat Express |
Glimpses of Sitamarhi
Photos of Sitamarhi's temples, landscapes, and culture.
Find Your Way to Sitamarhi
Punaura Dham, Janaki Sthan Mandir, Sitamarhi Junction. All within 5 km. Key pilgrimage sites across Sitamarhi town.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions on visiting Sitamarhi, Punaura Dham, Ramayana Circuit, and travel connections.
Where is Sitamarhi and why is it famous?
Sitamarhi is situated in the historic Mithila region of northern Bihar, India, ~140 km north of Patna. It is world-renowned as Sita Janmabhoomi—the sacred birthplace of Goddess Sita, discovered in a furrow by King Janak during a drought-relief yajna.
What are the must-visit places in Sitamarhi?
Top pilgrimage sites include Punaura Dham (birthplace temple & Sita Kund), Janaki Sthan Mandir, Bagahi Math (Shiva Panchayatan temple), Haleshwar Sthan, Panthpakar, Deokuli Dham, and the Mithila Circuit to Janakpur.
How far is Janakpur (Nepal) from Sitamarhi?
Janakpur Dham in Nepal is only 45 km from Sitamarhi via the Bhitthamore border. Daily direct buses operated by the Mahavir Mandir Trust and private taxis take pilgrims directly to the world-famous Janaki Mandir.
Which is the nearest airport to Sitamarhi?
The nearest operational airport is Darbhanga Airport (DBR), just 68 km away (1.5 hours drive), offering daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Patna Airport (PAT) is 140 km away.
What is the ₹882 Cr Punaura Dham Project?
Under the Central Government's PRASHAD and Ramayana Circuit schemes, the Bihar Government is constructing a magnificent 159-foot tall Janaki Janmasthali Mandir across 67 acres at Punaura Dham, featuring pilgrim amenities, 3D experiential galleries, and a grand parikrama path.
Is free food (Sita Rasoi) available for pilgrims?
Yes, Sita Rasoi at Punaura Dham provides free, clean, and nutritious Mahaprasad meals daily to all outstation pilgrims and devotees visiting the holy shrine.