Janakpur, a kingdom ruled by the Janaka Dynasty, is an important historic and pilgrimage site in the eastern terai of Nepal. At the time of the Upanishads, Janakpur enjoyed its position as a centre of Vedic activities, and was later an important site for the Vaishnavite Hindu cult. But, it is as the birth place of Sita or Janaki, the consort of Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya and the legendary hero of the epic Ramayana, that Janakpur has earned its respect in the Hindu World. The Janaki Mandir is the most famous centre of worship in Janakpur, and also one of the two nucleuses around which the town is established (the other one being the Ram Mandir). After the rise of Buddhism in the subcontinent, it is said that Janakpur remained in oblivion for nearly two millennia until its discovery by Vaishnava saints in the late medieval era. During this time, it is said that Mahatma Surakishore, a Vaishnava saint arrived from India, seeking shelter due to hostile environment created by the then rulers. He discovered an idol of Goddess Janaki (Kishoriji or Sita) under a tree, and this idol is currently established in this famous Temple.The Janaki Temple is popularly called ‘Naulakha’ and is said to be built at the spot where Mahatma Surakishore found the idol of Sita. The present structure is an elaborate 3 storied stone and marble temple highly influenced by Islamic and Neo-classical architecture. This structure is said to be built by Rani Brishbhana Kunwar of Tikamgarh in central India in 1968 B.S. (1911 A.D.). The temple houses 60 rooms all decorated with coloured glass, engravings, paintings and beautiful lattice windows. The building is also composed of multiple turrets raising the height of the structure up to 50 meters. In the temple complex a Vivah Mandap is also built in commemoration of the marriage of Rama and Sita, a historic and religious event in the history of Janakpura.
0 comments:
Post a Comment