Thousands flock to Janakpur for sacred parikrama as holi festivities loom

KATHMANDU: On Friday morning, thousands of devotees participated in the sacred “Antargriha Parikrama” (Inner Circle Circumambulation) in Janakpur.

This pilgrimage, which encircles the city of Janakpur, is also known as the Panchkoshi Parikrama, covering a distance of over 15 kilometers.

The parikrama is an important religious ritual undertaken by devotees with the belief that it helps them attain liberation from suffering and grants their wishes. It is believed to bring peace and prosperity to those who take part.

Interestingly, Janakpur’s Holi celebrations are scheduled for Saturday, the day after the completion of the parikrama, as it is a tradition in the region to celebrate the festival the day after the sacred journey.

The Antargriha Parikrama began early on Friday morning, following a 15-day religious pilgrimage that had started from Mithilabihari Temple, located in the Mithilabihari Municipality-8 of Dhanusha District, on the day of the Fagun Amavasya (new moon).

The pilgrims had completed a 120-kilometer journey across Nepal and India, and after resting at the Rangbhoomi grounds in Janakpur on Thursday, they embarked on the parikrama.

The route of the 15-day religious circumambulation takes pilgrims through various locations in Nepal and India, including Hanuman Nagar in Janakpur, Kalyaneshwar in Bihar’s Kalna, Girija Sthan in Phulhar, Mathihani, Jaleshwar, Madai, Dhuwarkund, Kanchanwan, Parvata, Dhanushadhama, Sato Khar, and Aurahi, before entering India again.

The parikrama concludes by passing through the towns of Kalna, Bisoul, and finally re-entering Janakpur.

The Janakpur residents’ enthusiastic participation in the event demonstrated their deep spiritual commitment, and the parikrama remains a major cultural and religious event in the region, drawing thousands of pilgrims from both Nepal and India.