Punaura Dham
The sacred birthplace of Goddess Sita. Where King Janaka found her in a golden pot while ploughing during a yagna, at the ashram of sage Pundrik.
The Legend of Sita's Birth
According to the Valmiki Ramayana, a severe 12-year famine struck the kingdom of Mithila. King Janaka, advised by his royal priest, performed a great Yajna (sacrificial ritual) to invoke the gods. As part of this ritual, the king himself had to plough the barren land. At the spot now known as Punaura Dham, his plough struck an earthen pot containing a baby girl. King Janaka adopted her as his daughter and named her Sita ("furrow" in Sanskrit) and Janaki (daughter of Janaka).
The name Punaura derives from the Vedic sage Pundrik, whose ashram stood here. Sage Pundrik meditated at this very spot, and Parashurama is said to have stayed here whenever visiting Mithila. The site was originally called Pundrik village, later becoming Punaura and finally Punaura Dham.
🕐 Timings: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily
💰 Entry: Free
📅 Best time: Sep–Apr (Ram Navami & Sita Navami are grand)
Sita Kund — The Sacred Tank
The sacred tank Sita Kund marks the exact spot where the infant Sita was found. The stone-lined tank contains 108 small ponds within it, representing the 108 names of Goddess Durga. A dip here is considered highly auspicious for spiritual cleansing. Local folklore holds that the natural spring feeding the Kund was created by Lord Shiva's trident to quench the thirst of Sita's adoptive parents.
Grand Temple Project — Janaki Janmasthali Mandir
On 13 December 2023, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar laid the foundation for the grand Janaki Janmasthali Mandir at Punaura. In August 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah laid the redevelopment foundation, stating that after Ayodhya's Ram Mandir, he is focusing on building a grand Sita temple. A Janaki Dham campus on 67 acres is planned — on the scale of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. A proposal for the Tallest Statue of Mata Sita at nearby Raghopur Bakhri village has also been submitted.
Facilities & Amenities
- Sita Rasoi — Free kitchen started 27 Jan 2019 by Mahavir Mandir Trust for pilgrims from outside Sitamarhi district
- Daily bus service by Mahavir Mandir Trust: Punaura Dham → Haleshwar Sthan → Panthpakar → Janakpur Temple (Nepal). Returns evening.
- Gayatri Mandir, wedding pavilion, park, and musical fountain within the complex
- Sitamarhi Mahotsav — annual cultural program with performances and fairs
Nearby Attractions
- Vishnudham Mandir (Sadiha, 1 km) — largest Vishnu statue in North India
- Maa Durga Mandir (Bherwania, 0.5 km)
- Haleshwar Sthan (3 km) — Shiva temple where King Janaka worshipped before the yagna
- Panth Pakar (8 km) — legendary banyan tree marking where Sita was found
Photo Gallery
How to Reach
🚌 Bus: Sitamarhi Bus Stand (4.5 km). Local buses available.
✈️ Air: Darbhanga Airport (90 km), Patna Airport (140 km).
🛺 Local: Auto-rickshaw, e-rickshaw, cycle rickshaw from town.