Stupa, Lumbini

3-2 Janakpur of Goddess Sita and Mithila Art

Janakpur is a great religious place, which is famous as the birth place of Goddess Sita, the great queen of Lord Rama. A palatial temple popularly called Naulakha Mandir was built by an Indian queen on the very spot where a golden image of Sita was discovered in 1657 AD. This finding very strongly indicated the present day Janakpur was the birth place of Sita. This temple complex is the main hub of the city. Vibaha Mandap (Marriage Pavilion) a huge and most beautiful temple, mostly marble paved and with great marble statues is another attraction. It is believed that the marriage of Rama and Janaki had taken at this spot. The colorful and unique Mithila Art is yet another, which attracts many overseas tourists. To see the women artists at work doing traditional folk art, especially the paper art, is extremely rewarding.

It takes only 4-5 hours by car (one way) from Tiger Camp to reach Janakpur, thanks to the good and straight road condition on East-West Highway, although it is about 250 km far away from Tiger Camp.

Sita Temple, Janakpur

3-3 Deaughat-the Enchanting and the Holy

Deaughat is termed as a tourist destination ("Deva-Utta") in Baraha Purana. Therefore, it might have been the first tourist destination in prehistoric times. Deaughat is located at the confluence of Kali Gandaki and Trisuli rivers. It is believed that whoever takes a bath at this holy confluence or does worshipping, he or she is pardoned of the sins and ladies are blessed with beauty and happy married life. The Bashistha Cave and the Crevasse of  Sita can be seen in Deaughat. It is here, where Goddess Mother Earth is supposed to have split opened to take Goddess Sita in her bosom. According to local tradition it is believed that Lord Rama had performed His famous "Ashwo-Megha Yagnya" in Deaughat. Lord Rama and his brothers were also educated here in Bashistha's Guru Kula.

The exciting but safe Deaughat suspension bridge, the mountains, river banks and dense forest here, offer one of  the best sights. "Shaligrams" (holy ammonite stones) are found only at the banks of Krishna Gandaki. If you are lucky you or your children can pick-up one in Deaughat.

For the scientists also, this place is very interesting. The fossil of the giant oceanic tortoise, believe to be more than 20 million years old and worshipped as the biggest "Shaligram" in the world, can be seen and  worshipped here. Deaughat is a tell-tale story of the Himalayan Up-heavel Theory. Some of the holy "Shaligrams" (ammonite stones) even have gold particles inside them.   Deaughat takes only about one hour driving from Tiger Camp.