Temple, monastery or heritage site · 74 m
Janakpur
The capital of Madhesh Province and a centre of Mithila culture, built around the white marble Janaki Mandir and dozens of sacred ponds.
Chitwan & Teraiधनुषाधाम
Dhanusha Dham
A pilgrimage site north-east of Janakpur where, by tradition, a piece of Shiva's bow broken by Ram fell to earth.
- Altitude
- 90 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Dhanusha, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Dhanusha Dham is a pilgrimage site in the north of Dhanusha district, a drive of under an hour north-east of Janakpur. It is the place from which the district takes its name. The shrine is built around a stone fragment that devotees believe is a piece of the great bow of Shiva, which Ram broke to win Sita's hand at the court of King Janak.
The setting is rural, with village houses, fields and patches of forest leading towards the Chure hills to the north. Around the main shrine are smaller temples and a pond, and the site is visited by pilgrims on their way to or from Janakpur. On festival days the approach is lined with stalls and the courtyard is crowded.
For most travellers Dhanusha Dham is a half-day trip from Janakpur, best combined with a drive through the farmland and villages of the district. Nearby areas of protected forest add some greenery to the journey.
History and culture
The Ramayana tells how King Janak set a test for Sita's suitors: they had to lift and string the bow of Shiva. Ram not only lifted it but broke it, and in Mithila tradition the pieces fell in different places. One fragment is believed to have landed here, and the stone kept in the shrine is worshipped as that relic.
Dhanusha Dham is part of the wider sacred landscape of Janakpur and the Mithila region, linked to the pilgrimage circuits that move between temples and ponds associated with the Ramayana. Large gatherings take place on major festivals of the Hindu calendar, when pilgrims come from across Madhesh and from Bihar.
The name of the district, Dhanusha, comes from dhanush, the Sanskrit and Nepali word for bow.
Things to do in Dhanusha Dham
Visit the shrine
See the stone fragment worshipped as part of Shiva's bow and the smaller temples around it.
Half-day trip from Janakpur
Combine the shrine with a drive through Dhanusha's villages and farmland.
Festival visit
Come on a major festival day to see the fair and the crowds of pilgrims.
Weather and the best time to visit Dhanusha Dham
Weather in Dhanusha Dham
Forecast for 90 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Oct-Mar
- Good month: Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are dry and pleasant for the trip from Janakpur.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool, with fog in the mornings; festivals draw crowds.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, and rural roads can be muddy.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
Most visitors stay in Janakpur and visit on a day trip; lodging near the shrine is very limited.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Dhanusha Dham is reached by road from Janakpur by bus, jeep or taxi.
Nearest hub: Janakpur
- roadJanakpur to Dhanusha Dham by local bus, jeep or taxi, usually under an hour.
- flightKathmandu to Janakpur by scheduled flight, then by road.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Dhanusha Dham.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Dhanusha District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Dhanusha Dham
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain from June to September can flood low fields and make the rural roads to the shrine muddy.
Heatmoderate in a typical yearApr-Jun
April to June is the hot season in the Terai, with daytime temperatures that make midday sightseeing tiring; travel early or late in the day.
Coldlow in a typical yearDec-Jan
In December and January dense fog and spells of cold weather are common in the Terai, which can slow road travel and delay flights.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Hire a taxi or jeep from Janakpur for flexibility on the return trip.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at the shrine.
- Carry water and snacks; facilities are basic outside festival days.
Questions about Dhanusha Dham
What is worshipped at Dhanusha Dham?
A stone fragment believed to be a piece of Shiva's bow, broken by Ram when he won Sita's hand.
How far is it from Janakpur?
It is a short drive north-east of Janakpur, usually under an hour.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is needed.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Janaki Mandir
The white temple to Sita at the heart of Janakpur, built in the early twentieth century and the focus of the Vivaha Panchami festival.
Town or village · 150 m
Bardibas
A highway junction town at the foot of the Chure hills, where the BP Highway from Kathmandu meets the East-West Highway.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Matihani
A small Mithila town south-west of Janakpur, linked in tradition with the wedding of Ram and Sita.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Dhanusha District, Wikipedia, Janakpur, Wikipedia