"Janakpur, Hindu Pilgrimage site" Janakpur Zone by illumina

The main city of the Janakpur zone is Janakpur itself, close to the Indian border. It is believed by Hindus that this was the capital city of King Janak, the father of Sita, Rama's wife, and the site of their marriage, and is therefore an important pilgramage site for Hindus from both Nepal and India.

Unfortunately, due to political upheaval, strikes and blockades ensued and we were stuck in Janakpur for several days - not necessarily a bad thing apart from the prevalance of mosquitos in the town, but made disastrous by the approaching expiry of our visas. We actually overran our stay, and eventually had to make our escape on the one bus that was trying to get out - sadly it got halfway and then had to turn around at a blockade, but not before turfing all the passengers off the bus! Thanks to a very kind man, we learned we had to walk for 6km (under the midday sun!), after which he helped us get into a tempo which took us another 15km, followed by a cycle rickshaw which took us another 20km (!) through some rather fantastic jungle scenery to the town of Chandranigapur.

Again we discovered how friendly and wonderfully helpful the Nepali people are - in Chandranigapur there were still no buses going to the border, but we were stopped by 2 young men and asked where we were going, and on explaining our predicament they immediately told us not to worry and that they would help us. 2 hours later, and with most of the town standing around and helping, we were put into a jeep ambulance and sent off on our way to the border at Birgung / Raxaul Bazaar.