Punaura Dham
| Maa Janaki Janmabhoomi Temple or Punaura Dham | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Sitamarhi, Bihar |
| Country | India |
 | |
Punaura Dham, entailing Janaki Janmasthali Mandir (lit. Janaki Birthplace Temple), revered as the birth place of Mata Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, in Punaura village 5 km southwest of Sitamarhi city[1] of Sitamarhi district in north Bihar near India–Nepal border.[2][3][4] Since this temple has immense religious and spiritual significance for Hindus, a large number of pilgrims from all over the world visit here every day.[1]
History
[edit]Punaura is in the Mithila region, also called the Tirhut or Tirabhukti, with history dating back to the Vedic period (1500-500 BCE) when it was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas of India, covers surrounding areas of Bihar and Nepal.[5]
According to Valmiki' Ramayana, once there was a severe famine in Mithila and the priest there advised the King of Videha, Janaka, to plow the field. When King Janak was ploughing, an earthen pot came out of the ground, in which Mother Sita was in an infant state. The Punaura Dham is believed to be the spot where that earthen pot came out, hence revered as the birthplace of Sita.[6][7] Since she came out of a furrow when King Janaka was ploughing the land, he adopted her as his daughter and named her Sita, which means “furrow” in Sanskrit and he also gave her the name Janaki, meaning daughter of Janaka.[5]
Behind the Sita Mata temple in Punaura Dham, there is a lake by the name of Janaki Kund. There is a belief about this lake that bathing in this lake gives birth to children.[8]
Management
[edit]Shree Janaki Janm Bhumi Punaura Dham Mandir Nyas Samiti, a trust for managing the temple corridor, was formed in 2025.[9]
Upgrade
[edit]In 2025, Government of Bihar announced Rs 882.87 crore plan to redevelop the Punaura Dham, including the construction of a grand Sita Mata temple and pilgrim corridor on the pattern of Ram Janmabhoomi (lit. 'Birthplace of Rama'). In 2024, 50 acre land around the temple was acquired for this purpose at the cost of Rs 120.58 crore.[10] From this budget, Rs 137 crore will be spent on the redeveloping the old Punaura Dham Janki Temple and remaining Rs 728 crore for the development of pilgrimage corridor and religious tourism facilities around the temple which will also entail upgrade of Sita-Vatika, Luv-Kush Vatika, new parikrama (circumambulation) path, kiosks, cafeteria and children's play areas.[1]
"Design Associates Inc", a design consultant which designed Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi temple, has been appointed the design consultant for the Punaura Dham upgrade project.[9]
See also
[edit]- Ram Janmabhoomi, Rama's birthplace
- Janakpur Dham, Sita's birthplace in Nepal
- Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex, Krishna's birthplace
- Kundinapuri, Rukmini's birthplace
- Kaundinyapur, near Nagpur and associated with Rukmini's birthplace Kundinapuri
- Raval, Mathura, Radha's birthplace
- Parikrama
- Mithila Madhya Parikrama
- Sitamarhi Dham Parikrama
- Yatra
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Bihar govt approves Rs 882 crore for 'Punaura Dham Janki Mandir' revamp ahead of Assembly elections, indiatvnews.com, 1 Jul 2025.
- ^ Bihar tourism, Bihar tourism (30 Jan 2023). "Punaura Dham". Bihar tourism. Retrieved 30 Jan 2023.
- ^ "Bihar to develop Sita's birthplace: An expert explains the history and mythology of Mithila". The Indian Express. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
- ^ "Bihar to develop Sita's birthplace: An expert explains the history and mythology of Mithila". The Indian Express. 2023-12-20. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
- ^ a b Bihar's Punaura Dham, drishtiias.com, accessed 2 Jul 2025.
- ^ Sitamarhi. "Sitamarhi". Bihar Tourism.
- ^ Desk, Prabhat Khabar Digital (2024-01-07). "पुनौरा धाम से पाहुन राम को भेजा जा रहा है 7101 दउरा सनेश भार, 5 ट्रक और 101 छोटे वाहनों पर निकलेगी यात्रा". Prabhat Khabar (in Hindi). Retrieved 2024-01-14.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Punaura Dham को अयोध्या की तर्ज पर करना था विकसित, फंड जारी होने के बाद भी काम नहीं होने से लोगों में मायूसी". ETV Bharat News (in Hindi). Retrieved 2023-12-24.
- ^ a b Bihar Cabinet okays Rs 882.87cr for developing Sita's birthplace, rediff.com, 1 Jun 2025.
- ^ सीतामढ़ी जिले के पुनौरा धाम में मां जानकी जन्मस्थली पर मंदिर निर्माण का शिलान्यास अग्सत 2025 में होगा। नीतीश कैबिनेट की बैठक में इस योजना के लिए मंगलवार को 882 करोड़ रुपये की मंजूरी दी गई है।, livehindustan.com, 1 Jul 2025.