Ramayan Yatra

Sita's Mithila, and the road Ram took through it

Plan this Yatra

What it is

Sitamarhi is where Sita is said to have been found in a furrow. Punaura Dham marks the spot, Janaki Sthan the temple, and Ahalya Sthan the village where Ram is said to have freed Ahalya from stone. The circuit runs through Mithila, which has its own language, its own painting and its own claim on the story.

Why it matters

Everybody plans Ayodhya. Almost nobody plans the Mithila half of the same story, which is where the bride came from and where the marriage happened.

You will understand

• Why Mithila tells the Ramayana differently from Ayodhya
• What Sita Navami is and why Sitamarhi fills for it
• Where Madhubani painting comes from, and why it is on these walls

Best season

Oct - Mar

Days for the whole yatra

3

The stops

• Punaura Dham: The furrow. Where Janaka is said to have found her while ploughing.
• Janaki Sthan Mandir, Sitamarhi: The town temple, and the centre of Sita Navami.
• Haleshwar Sthan: The Shiva temple Janaka is said to have built before the ploughing.
• Panth Pakar: The tree her wedding party is said to have rested under on the road to Ayodhya.
• Ahalya Sthan: Ahiyari, where Ram's footfall is said to have returned Ahalya to herself.
• Ramchaura Mandir: Hajipur, a temple on Ram's route with footprints in the sanctum.
• Sita Kund: Munger's Sita Kund, where she is said to have proved herself by fire.
• Uchchaith Bhagwati Temple: The Devi of Mithila, on the same road.
• Shyama Mai Temple: Darbhanga, the seat of the Mithila kings who kept the story.
• Saurath Sabha Gachhi: The mango grove where Maithil Brahmin marriages were arranged for six centuries.

Experiences on this yatra

• Vivah Panchami in Mithila: The wedding of Ram and Sita, kept as a wedding, in the bride's own country
• Learn Madhubani painting: A wall painting done by women in Mithila for centuries, now a hundred-crore trade

Know before you go

• This is north Bihar; roads are slower than the map suggests
• Sitamarhi to Darbhanga to Madhubani is the natural spine
• Vivah Panchami in Nov-Dec is the big festival here

Questions pilgrims ask

How many days does the Ramayan Yatra take?

3 days is right for most families. It can be done in 1, or stretched to 5.

When is the best time for the Ramayan Yatra?

Oct - Mar.

Which places are on the Ramayan Yatra?

Punaura Dham, Janaki Sthan Mandir, Haleshwar Sthan, Panth Pakar, Ahalya Sthan, Ramchaura Mandir, Sita Kund, Uchchaith Bhagwati Temple, Shyama Mai Temple, Saurath Sabha Gachhi.

What should I know before the Ramayan Yatra?

This is north Bihar; roads are slower than the map suggests. Sitamarhi to Darbhanga to Madhubani is the natural spine. Vivah Panchami in Nov-Dec is the big festival here.

Plan my Yatra. Rather talk to someone? Call or WhatsApp +91 87893 56605, or contact us.