Temple, monastery or heritage site · 75 m
Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple
The Shiva temple that gives Jaleshwar its name, with a lingam set below ground level in water.
Chitwan & Teraiमटिहानी
Matihani
A small Mithila town south-west of Janakpur, linked in tradition with the wedding of Ram and Sita.
- Altitude
- 75 m*
- Best months
- Oct-Mar
- Type
- Temple, monastery or heritage site
- District
- Mahottari, Madhesh
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Matihani is a small town and municipality in southern Mahottari district, close to the Indian border and a short drive from Janakpur. It is a quiet place of temples, ponds and Maithili village life, visited mainly by pilgrims who know its place in the Ramayana traditions of Mithila.
The name is linked with mati, the Nepali and Maithili word for earth or soil. Local tradition holds that soil from Matihani was used in the preparations for the wedding of Ram and Sita at Janakpur, and the town keeps temples and a monastic establishment associated with this story.
For travellers, Matihani is an add-on to a stay in Janakpur, best for those interested in the sacred geography of Mithila and in rural Madhesh. It can be combined with Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple in a single day trip.
History and culture
Mithila tradition maps the Ramayana onto the landscape around Janakpur, with towns and ponds tied to episodes of Sita's birth, her marriage and Ram's visit. Matihani is part of this sacred geography, and pilgrims following the circuits of the region include it among the places they visit.
Like much of Mahottari, Matihani is Maithili-speaking, and Mithila painting traditions are kept alive in local homes, especially on walls and in wedding chambers. Chhath, Holi and Vivaha Panchami are important festivals.
The town is part of the agricultural plains south of the East-West Highway, where rice, wheat and lentils are the main crops and life follows the rhythm of the farming year. Visitors are rare, so a polite interest in the temples and their stories is usually met with curiosity and hospitality.
Things to do in Matihani
Temple visits
See the town's temples and ask local people about the story of the wedding soil.
Mithila day trip
Combine Matihani with Jaleshwar Mahadev Temple on a day out from Janakpur.
Village walk
Walk among the ponds and lanes to see Maithili rural life and painted house walls.
Weather and the best time to visit Matihani
Weather in Matihani
Forecast for 75 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.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool with foggy mornings.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March is comfortable; April and May are very hot.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, with muddy rural roads.
Where to stay
HotelsGuesthouses
There is little accommodation in Matihani; stay in Janakpur.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Matihani is reached by road from Janakpur or Jaleshwar.
Nearest hub: Janakpur
- roadJanakpur to Matihani by local bus, jeep or taxi.
- flightKathmandu to Janakpur by scheduled flight, then by road.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Matihani, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Matihani
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 floods low fields and can make roads in southern Mahottari slow or 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
- Maithili and Nepali are spoken; English is limited.
- Carry water and cash; facilities are basic.
- Ask before photographing homes or painted walls.
Questions about Matihani
What is Matihani known for?
Its link in Mithila tradition with soil used in the wedding of Ram and Sita, and its temples.
How do I get to Matihani?
By road from Janakpur or Jaleshwar.
Is there anywhere to stay?
Accommodation is very limited; most visitors stay in Janakpur.
Nearby
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.
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.
Temple, monastery or heritage site · 90 m
Dhanusha Dham
A pilgrimage site north-east of Janakpur where, by tradition, a piece of Shiva's bow broken by Ram fell to earth.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Matihani, Wikipedia, Mahottari District, Wikipedia