Janakpur
Janakpur
जनकपुरधाम | |
|---|---|
| Janakpurdham | |
|
Clockwise from top Janaki Mandir, Ganga Sagar, Train in Janakpur and Vivah Mandap | |
| Nickname: The City of Ponds | |
| Motto(s): City of religious and cultural significance | |
| Coordinates: 26°43′43″N 85°55′30″E / 26.72861°N 85.92500°E | |
| Country | Nepal |
| Province | Madhesh Province |
| District | Dhanusa |
| Settled | Vedic Period |
| as Municipality | 1962 |
| to Sub-Metro | 2017 |
| Previously part of | Mithila |
| Named after | King Janaka |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council government |
| • Mayor | Manoj Kumar Sah (NC) |
| • Deputy Mayor | Kishori Sah (NC) |
| Area | |
• Total | 91.97 km2 (35.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 74 m (243 ft) |
| Population (2021) | |
• Total | 195,438 |
| • Rank | 11th |
| • Density | 820/km2 (2,125/sq mi) |
| • Rank | 4th |
| Demonym | Maithil |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Nepali |
| • Local | Maithili |
| Time zone | UTC+5:45 (NST) |
| Postal code | 45600 |
| Area code | 041 |
| Website | janakpurmun |
Janakpurdham or Janakpur (Maithili: जनकपुर), is the capital city of Madhesh Province. This sub-metropolitan city is a central hub for the Maithili language, as well as for religious and cultural tourism in Nepal.
The city was founded in the early 18th century but was retrospectively designated as the location of the capital of the Videha kingdom, although there is no archaeological evidence to support this.
Janakpur is located about 225 km (140 mi) southeast of Kathmandu. As of 2021, the city had a population of 195,438, with a density of 2,125/km². Janakpur is currently the fourth most densely populated city in Nepal. Janakpur is located about 23 km from the Bhitthamore border with India. Nepal Railways operates a service between Janakpur and Jainagar in India.