Janakapura, Janaka-pura, Janakpur: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Janakapura means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
General definition (in Hinduism)
Janakpur (also known as Janakpurdham), is one of the historical and religious cities of Nepal. The Janakpur zone (Janakpuranchal) historically called Mithilanchal, is the place where ancient Maithili culture originated. It has also given birth to Chhath festival, Maithili language and script in this ancient city of Nepal.
The first millennium BC text Shatapatha Brahmana tells that the Nepalese Maithil king Māthava Videgha, led by his priest Gotama Rahugana, first crossed the Sadānirā (Gandaki) river and founded the South Asian kingdom of Videha, whose capital city was Janakpur of Nepal. As Gotama Rahugana composed many hymns in the Rgveda, these events must date to the Rgvedic period.
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Lord Rama's wife Sita Devi (also called Janaki in Nepal) is said to have been the Nepali princess of Videha. Her father, King Janak of Nepal, found baby Sita in a furrow of a field in visit to Siraha and raised her as his daughter. When she grew up, the king announced that she should be wed by whoever was able to string the divine bow of Shiva. Though many royal suitors tried, Lord Rama, Indian prince of Ayodhya, alone could even lift the bow. As Rama and Sita are major figures in Hinduism, Janakpur is an important Nepalese pilgrimage site for Hindus all over the world.
In addition, both the great Nepali saints Gautama Buddha, founder of buddhism, and Vardamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara of the Jain religion, are said to have lived in Janakpur. The region was an important centre for Nepalese history of Mithila during the first millennium.
India history and geography
Janakpur (or Jaṇai) is associated with Mihilā, as is mentioned in the Vividhatīrthakalpa by Jinaprabhasūri (13th century A.D.): an ancient text devoted to various Jaina holy places (tīrthas).
Janakpur (a centre of Hindu pilgrimage) is the birthplace of Goddess Sita, a central figure in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Goddess Sita is the consort of God Ram (an avatar of Lord Vishnu), and she is avatar of the goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu. Home to the historic 500-year old Janaki Temple, this “city of ponds” is also the centre of Mithila culture of arts, music, and language. You can catch a glimpse of this rich culture at the Mithila Cultural Museum, which displays artefacts dating back thousands of years. You can also visit Janakpur Women’s Development Center to learn about their art and traditions, as well as purchase Maithili paper art, ceramics, and paintings from the gift shop there.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Nepali dictionary
Janakapura (जनकपुर):—n. city in southern Nepal; also the name of a zone;
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Janaka, Pura, Pur.
Full-text: Mithila, Janakapur, Janai, Ram mandir, Ram sita bibaha mandir, Janaka, Videha, Janaki-mandir.
Relevant text
Search found 28 books and stories containing Janakapura, Janak-pur, Janaka-pura, Janakpur; (plurals include: Janakapuras, purs, puras, Janakpurs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure) (by Swami Bhaktivedanta Madhava Maharaja)
Indications of Departure < [Chapter 2.19 - The Concluding Transcendental Pastimes]
Kailash: Journal of Himalayan Studies
The Disappearance and Reappearance of Janakpur < [Volume 6, Number 4 (1978)]
Part 4.2 - Proper Forms of Marriage: Choti Bhwaj and Barka bhwaj < [Tharus of Dang: Rites de Passage and Festivals]
Part 2 - Nepal in Legend and Myth < [Ancient and Medieval Nepal (Part 1)]
Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri) (by Hari Prasad Shastri)
Chapter 75 - Parasurama challenges Rama to combat < [Book 1 - Bala-kanda]
Kavyamimamsa of Rajasekhara (Study) (by Debabrata Barai)
Part 13 - The Bālarāmāyaṇa of Rājaśekhara < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Hanuman Nataka (critical study) (by Nurima Yeasmin)
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
The extension of continuous functions on normal spaces < [2020: Volume 9, May issue 5]
Assessing śārīrika and mānasika prakṛti in drug selection in Ayurveda. < [2017: Volume 6, July issue 7]