Excitement Soars in Janakpur as Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir Event Nears

As the countdown for the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya nears its culmination, an air of joy and excitement envelops Janakpurdham, the maternal home of Goddess Sita, in Nepal. The grandeur of the upcoming event in Ayodhya has sparked celebrations in Janakpurdham, where residents are organizing a plethora of events to mark the historic occasion.

Hymns dedicated to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita resound through the city day and night. The Janaki Temple, adorned with vibrant lights, mirrors the exuberance visible on the faces of every resident of Janakpurdham.

Bharat Kumar Sah, a local resident, shared his enthusiasm, “The January 22 event of Pran Pratishtha of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has brought a wave of happiness for us. We have planned a series of events, starting in the morning and lasting until the end of the day. We will create Rangoli from vermilion powder and Lord Ram’s picture from flowers. We will also observe Deepawali in our homes. The entire Janakpur is jubilant about the construction of the temple in Ayodhya.”

The much-anticipated ceremony on January 22 will witness the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla at the grand temple. It is expected to draw hundreds of dignitaries, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and 4,000 saints from various sects.

Sanjay Mandal, another resident of Janakpur, expressed his excitement, “I am personally thrilled about the Pran Pratishtha ceremony. I will celebrate Deepawali in the evening of January 22 and light lamps at the temple. I am encouraging my friends and others to celebrate Deepawali on January 22.”

The Chief Mahanth and Chotte Mahanth from Janakpur have been invited for the ceremony and have already embarked on their journey to Ayodhya. In a symbolic gesture, Janakpur had earlier sent offerings, locally known as “Bhaar,” to Ayodhya, including ornaments, cuisines, clothes, and daily essentials as part of the ritual.

Amidst the festivities in the maternal home of Goddess Sita, the city resonates with the chants of ‘Jai Shree Ram,’ and songs dedicated to ‘Ram Lala’ are being publicly screened. The Mahabir Mandir near the railway station initiated “Astajaam,” chanting Ram hymns round the clock. Devotees are seen wearing scarves inscribed with Ram slogans.

Kamal Hathi, a devotee and organizer of Astajaam, shared, “Without Lord Hanuman, Lord Ram won’t go anywhere. That’s why we have started the three-day program of Astajaam, which goes on round the clock. We started it today and will continue until tomorrow. On January 22, we will do Hanuman Aradhana, recite Hanuman Chalisa 12 times, and later in the evening, we will light oil-fed clay lamps.”

Scores of devotees actively participate in various Astajaams in Janakpur, eagerly anticipating the establishment of a railway link between Janakpur and Ayodhya to facilitate their travel.

Kamlesh Kumar Mandal, expressing his excitement, said, “After the Pran Pratistha ceremony, we are excited to go to Ayodhya. We would obviously go there, pay a visit to Lord Ram, seek blessings; this comes as good news for Nepal.”

Another resident, Anuj Kapar, voiced his hopes for a railway link between Mithila (Janakpur) and Ayodhya, stating, “I hope that a railway link will be established between Mithila (Janakpur) and Ayodhya through a rail operating at least twice a month. I hope it starts soon, and residents here don’t have to struggle to reach Ayodhya and Ayodhya residents to come to Mithila.”

According to the local belief, Janakpur, also known as Mithila, was the kingdom of King Janak. The city holds historical significance as the place where Goddess Sita chose Lord Ram as her groom during the ‘Swayamvar’ ceremony, reinforcing the deep-rooted connection between the two iconic cities.