Punaura Dham
Temple · Sita (worshipped independently, not alongside Rama) · Punaura village, Sitamarhi, Bihar
It is held to be the birthplace of Sita - the field where King Janaka, ploughing during a famine, found...
An old Sita temple with the Janaki Kund / Sita Kund tank behind it and an old Surya Mandir on the tank's eastern bank; the ashram of the sage Pundrik is said to have stood here. A Sita Rasoi feeds pilgrims from outside the district, and buses run from here to Haleshwar Sthan and to Janakpur in Nepal. A redevelopment of ₹882.87 crore was approved in 2025, with Sita-Vatika and Luv-Kush Vatika gardens, a parikrama path, a pilgrim corridor and 108 images of Janaki planned, so expect a construction site.
Plan your visit
- Best season
- September to April" (Bihar Tourism)
- Area
- Sitamarhi
Festivals
- Janaki Navami (April–May); also Vivaha Panchami (November–December), Ram Navami and Durga Puja. Devotees bathe at Sita K
Yatras that include Punaura Dham
- Ramayan Yatra: The furrow. Where Janaka is said to have found her while ploughing.
Experiences here
- Vivah Panchami in Mithila: The wedding of Ram and Sita, kept as a wedding, in the bride's own country
Tirtham can arrange here
Guide, car and stay around Sitamarhi
Also around Sitamarhi
- Khatwa appliqué: Bihar's cut-cloth appliqué, once for tents and canopies, now a GI-registered craft of Patna and Sitamarhi women.
- Sikki grass work: Golden marsh grass coiled into boxes and figures that Mithila brides still carry to their new homes; GI-registered.
Nearby places
- Janaki Sthan Mandir, Sitamarhi: Many scholars and religious figures identify this as the place where Sita appeared from the earth...
- Haleshwar Sthan: Devotees come for Shiva darshan at the temple founded at the sacrifice connected with Sita's birth; it...
- Panth Pakar: Pilgrims following the route of Sita's marriage journey stop here at the tree under which she is said...
- Bagahi Dham: Devotees from across India and from Nepal come for its yajnas and for Shiva darshan; it is also the...
- Hariharnath Mahadev Mandir, Hariharpur: Devotees come for Jalabhisheka, the pouring of water over the lingam
Questions pilgrims ask
Why is Punaura Dham important?
An old Sita temple with the Janaki Kund / Sita Kund tank behind it and an old Surya Mandir on the tank's eastern bank; the ashram of the sage Pundrik is said to have stood here. A Sita Rasoi feeds pilgrims from outside the district, and buses run from here to Haleshwar Sthan and to Janakpur in Nepal. A redevelopment of ₹882.87 crore was approved in 2025, with Sita-Vatika and Luv-Kush Vatika gardens, a parikrama path, a pilgrim corridor and 108 images of Janaki planned, so expect a construction site.
When is the best time to visit Punaura Dham?
September to April" (Bihar Tourism).
Which festivals are celebrated at Punaura Dham?
Janaki Navami (April–May); also Vivaha Panchami (November–December), Ram Navami and Durga Puja. Devotees bathe at Sita K.
Can Tirtham plan a yatra to Punaura Dham?
Yes. Tell us how long you have and who is going, and Tirtham plans the days, the guide, the car and the stay.
Plan my Yatra. Rather talk to someone? Call or WhatsApp +91 87893 56605, or contact us.