Temples in Sitamarhi
- 01
Bagahi Dham (Bagahi Math)
A large Hindu monastery and Shiva temple north-west of Sitamarhi, known for a ten-day Sitaram Naam Jap Mahayajna that draws devotees from India and Nepal.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; during the annual mahayajna if you want to see crowds
- Tickets
- No ticket mentioned. This is a working religious institution; follow instructions on footwear, photography and offerings and ask permission before photographing people.
- 02
Haleshwar Sthan
A Shiva temple north-west of Sitamarhi, said to rest on a linga established by King Janaka at the start of a ploughing rite. A natural pairing with Punaura Dham.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning; Shravan (July-August) for the pilgrim atmosphere, though it is crowded and wet
- Tickets
- No fee is mentioned in the sources I read. Remove footwear, keep offerings simple and confirm darshan hours on arrival.
- 03
Janaki Sthan
Sitamarhi's other claimant to Sita's birthplace, a temple about 1.5 to 2 km from the railway station with the tank known as Urvija Kund next to it.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning or evening aarti; October to March
- Tickets
- No ticket is mentioned in the sources I read; check opening hours and any darshan queue arrangements on arrival. Remove footwear before entering and follow temple staff on photography.
- 04
Mithilapuri Jain Teerth (Dumra)
A modern Shvetambara Jain temple at Dumra, on the edge of Sitamarhi, marking the tradition of Mallinath's and Naminath's birth. A Digambara site is claimed at Sursand.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; during Janma Kalyanaka days for devotees
- Tickets
- No ticket mentioned. Jain temples often have rules on leather, footwear and photography; follow signs and ask the trust.
- 05
Punaura Dham (Janaki Janmabhoomi Mandir)
The temple at Punaura, about 5 km from Sitamarhi, that many pilgrims accept as the spot where King Janaka found the infant Sita. A lake, Janaki Kund, lies behind it.
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours; longer on festival days
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning on a weekday; October to March for comfort
- Tickets
- No entry fee is mentioned by the official Bihar Tourism page, which also notes footwear must be removed. Mobile phones and cameras are described as allowed, but rules can change inside the sanctum, so follow the signs. Check temple hours locally, as none are published on the tourism page.
Day trips in Sitamarhi
- 06
Charaut Math (Lakshminarayan Mandir)
An 18th-century Vishnu math at Charaut, east of Sitamarhi, founded with the Darbhanga Raj and dedicated to Lakshminarayan. A quiet heritage temple for those with a car.
- Time needed
- Half day including the drive
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- October to March, mornings
- Tickets
- No ticket information found. Treat it as a working temple; follow local etiquette on footwear and photographs.
Places of worship in Sitamarhi
- 07
Panth Pakar (Panthpakar Dham)
A roadside grove of pakar (banyan-type) trees where tradition says Sita rested on her way from Janakpur to Ayodhya after her wedding. Recently upgraded as a shrine.
- Time needed
- 30 to 45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; October to March
- Tickets
- No ticket is mentioned. The site was announced for development in December 2024 and added to the Ramayana circuit in August 2025, so construction or new arrangements may be in place.
Experiences in Sitamarhi
- 08
Sitamarhi Dham Parikrama
An annual pilgrim circuit organised by the Janaki Sthan trust on Janaki Navami, visiting the major Hindu sites of the Sitamarhi region.
- Time needed
- Depends on the route; plan at least a full day
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Janaki Navami (Sita Navami), usually April or May; check the date locally
- Tickets
- No ticket. The route and date are set by the organisers; confirm with the Janaki Sthan trust or local administration before planning around it.
