EASTERN TERAI
Bound by the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal,the eastern Terai is broadly a mirror image of the west.The rolling hills of rhe Mahabharat Range are squeeses between the dry eastern plains and the Himalaya,and the Mahendra Hwy cuts east to meet the Indian border at Kakarbhitta,providing easy access to Sikkim and Darjeeling.
The eastern portion of the Terai sees more visitors than the west,but it`s still a peaceful and untouched region,at least as fat as tourism goes.Probably the most famous spot is Janakpur,with its ancient Sita temple and rich tradition of Mithila painting.Politically,things aren`t quite so peaceful.Maoist rebels operate in the hills and travel north of the Mahendra Hwy is ofen impossible due to skirmishes between rebels and government soldiers.Check the security situation before embarking east.This includes the border crossing to India at Kakarbhitta.
JANAKPUR
Janakpur has been a center for Hindu Pilgrimages since at least the 4th century BC,when the story of sita,wife of Roma and daughter of King Ianak of Mithila,was written down in the Ramayana.Even today,the town feels closer to the Hindu towns of India than the tribal township of Nepal-there`s nowhere better to get a real feel for life in the plains.
On one level,Janakpur is a tourist town,but alomst all the tourists are pilgrims from India.The streets are dotted with pilgrims` hostela and the huge Janaki temple attracts pilgrims from across the subcontinent.The best time to visit is during the Hindu festival of Sita Bibaha Panchami,when vignettes from the Ramayana are acted out in the strrets,bringing the ancient myth vividly to life.
Orientation
About 20km south of the Mahendra Hwy,Janakpur is a maze of narrow,winding streets-the telecom tower and water tower are useful landmarks.The official cneter of town is the Janaki Temple in the middle of the baxaar,but most of the hotels are further east on the road running up to Bhanu Chowk and the train station.
If you come in on the highway,you`ll arrive at Ramanand Chowk,topped by a giant metal sculpture od crossed elephant tusks.The town center is east of the Junction while the bus stand is due south at Zero Mile Chowk.
Festivals&Events
By far the most interesting time to visit Janakpur is during Bibaha Panchami on the fifth day of the waxing moon in Novenber/December.Tents of thousands of pilgrims descend on the town to celebrate the re-enactment of Sita`s marriage to Rama and there are processions and performances of scenes from ramayana in the streets.Rama Navami.celebrating Rama`s birthday,is also accompanied bu ya huge procession.
Getting There&Away
Buddha Air and other private airlines have daily flights between Janakpur and Kathmandu.Aieline offices are around Bhanu Chowk and the airport is a Rs 70rickshaw ride south of the center.
Buses leave from the dusty main bus station southwest of Zero Mile Chowk,a Rs 30rickshaw ride from central Janakpur.There are day and night buses east to Karaabhitta and north to Kathmandu via Narayangarh.A single bus leaves daily for Pokhara and there are several morning buses for Biratnagar,local buses run hourly to Birganj until about3pm.
The station at the north end of Station Rd is the starting point for train rides to local villages.
