Nepal pitches for Sita’s birthplace in Janakpur — an old Ayodhya link

Addressing a seminar on the Ramayana circuit organised by the Incredible Chamber of India in coordination with the Nepal Embassy last week, Sharma said that the two countries have been spiritual and cultural destinations for each other for centuries.

“After the Ram temple inauguration, the number of devotees going to Ayodhya from Nepal will be more than double… Ayodhya is becoming more prominent due to the Ram temple construction, so is Janakpur. There are great road and rail connectivities from India to Nepal, and within Nepal too, they are developing further,” Sharma told The Indian Express.

Janaki Mandir — the birthplace of Sita — embodies the cultural heritage of Nepal, and it has become one of the major components for strengthening ties between India and Nepal, he said. “With India and Nepal working jointly on the Ramayana circuit, Janakpur is a vital part, which will aid tourism development in both the countries. There are people in Thailand and Indonesia also, who know about Ram and Sita and these places like Ayodhya and Janakpur interest them. Better connectivity will help economic development in the region,” Sharma said during the event.

“Nepal also has a Balmiki ashram, like the one in India,” said Sharma, adding that Nepalese believe that it is the original religious retreat where Sita spent several months. “And this only shows how so many people in Nepal love Ramayan — the philosophy and ideals of Lord Ram. Nepal would like to support, develop and promote the Ramayana circuit in Nepal as well as in India,” he added.

Sharma also wrote on X on Friday, “Glad to receive Mayor Manoj Kumar Sah and other dignitaries from Janakpur Dham at @EONIndia. They were here to participate in a programme organised by the Incredible Chamber of India, and are also working to establish a sister city relationship between Janakpur and Ayodhya.”

Janakpur Mayor Manoj Sah, who was in New Delhi for the Friday event, said that during his visit to Janakpur in 2018, PM Modi had announced Rs 100 crore grant to develop the area. The project has not been implemented yet, but in process. Also, during Nepali PM Prachanda alias Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that the Ramayana circuit was a “connection between India and Nepal”. PM Modi had earlier flagged off a bus service connecting Janakpur to Ayodhya. Bharat Gaurav tourist train, carrying 500 Indian pilgrims, was flagged off between India and Nepal — the first such service — as part of the Ramayana circuit in 2022.

In fact, of the 15 thematic circuits mooted by the Ministry of Tourism, the Ramayana circuit and Buddhist circuit were the only two transnational circuits, both including Nepal. This is also believed to be India’s bid to co-opt Nepal culturally at a time when it is under heavy economic influence from China — its largest creditor. India and Nepal have agreed to jointly promote the two circuits.

With India and Nepal bonding over their cultural ties to boost tourism, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sah-Pracharak, Narendra Thakur, says India-Nepal relations transcend the governments and geographical boundaries as they are based on cultural heritage of both the countries. “The Ramayana circuit will impact not only South Asian countries, but the entire world,” Thakur said during the event, adding how “elements with vested interests have been trying to spoil the cordial relationship between India and Nepal, and that they need to be careful”.