Dhanusha धनुषा

Dhanusha, centred on Janakpur — the provincial capital of Madhesh — is the most culturally rich district in the Terai plains. The Janaki Mandir, completed in 1910 in white marble, is an extraordinary piece of architecture blending Mughal, Rajput and Koiri styles across 1,480 square metres; its 60 rooms carry Mithila paintings and coloured glass. Vivah Panchami, held in November or December each year, re-enacts the marriage of Rama and Sita at the Vivah Mandap within the temple compound, drawing pilgrims from across South Asia. The district's many ponds are inseparable from Maithili religious life.

Janakpur is the unquestioned capital of Mithila culture on the Nepali side of the border: Madhubani-style paintings in vibrant reds and blacks cover walls, pottery and paper throughout the district, and the Janakpur Women's Development Centre has professionalised this art form for international markets. The narrow-gauge Janakpur Railway, now upgraded, once ran to Jaynagar in Bihar; check its current operational status before making it the centrepiece of a visit.