Janakpurdham: A sacred city of beauty struggling with pollution 

The moment we think of a religious site images of peace, cleanliness come to the mind. However, the environment around Janakpurdham was quite the opposite. My first visit to Janakpur was not as memorable as I had imagined, mainly because of the poor environmental condition there. The dream I had of visiting this sacred place faded as soon as I arrived and saw the surroundings. Upon reaching Janakpur, we were greeted not by serenity, but by heaps of garbage and the blaring horns of motorbikes, cars, and auto-rickshaws. The streets were lined with piles of trash, red stains from people spitting gutkha and paan, the stench of decaying waste, and open drains with dirty water—all of which diminished the city’s charm. The sacred ponds—Ganga Sagar, Dhanush Sagar, and Vivaha Kund—were burdened with pollution. Due to the lack of cleanliness, these ponds emitted a foul odor, undermining their religious significance. 

Janakpurdham, located in the Dhanusha District of Nepal, is one of the most significant religious and cultural sites in the country. It holds immense historical, spiritual, and cultural importance, serving as the center of the ancient Mithila civilization. Known as the birthplace of Goddess Sita and the site of her marriage to Lord Rama, Janakpur is revered by Hindus around the world as a sacred pilgrimage destination. Janakpur is not only a place of worship but also a living reflection of the Mithila culture. The city is famous for its vibrant Mithila art, traditional Maithili songs and dances, and the hospitality of its people. Festivals, rituals, and daily life in Janakpur reflect the rich traditions that have been preserved for centuries.

Nepal has its own railway service that connects Janakpur with Jayanagar in India. This railway line is not just a means of transportation, it serves as a historic link that strengthens the cultural and economic ties between the two neighbours. The service has brought the citizens of Nepal and India closer in terms of travel, trade, and religious pilgrimage. In particular, it has become highly useful and appealing for pilgrims visiting the Ram-Janaki Temple. However, the railway service alone is not enough. The city also needs clean roads, well-managed public spaces, attractive parks, and a beautiful urban plan. In the Janakpur station there were also a lot of garbage. Even there was dustbin but people throw plastic everywhere. If Janakpur can be developed into a well-managed, clean, and beautiful city through proper planning and management, it can establish itself not only as a significant city within Nepal but also as a major gateway for cultural and religious tourism between Nepal and India. 

In Janakpur, the impact and presence of urban management appear to be almost nonexistent. The condition of the city’s roads, drains, and ponds clearly reflects a lack of administrative responsibility. Building a clean city is not solely the responsibility of the government. Every citizen must develop the habit of keeping their surroundings clean. Small actions-such as segregating household waste before disposal, avoiding littering on the streets, and refraining from throwing garbage into ponds or religious sites-can bring about a significant change. If the residents of Janakpur care for their city as they would for their own temple, Janakpur can once again become the pride of Mithila.