Mithila Secondary Pilgrimage Concludes in Janakpurdham

Janakpurdham. The Mithila Secondary Pilgrimage, considered the Mahakumbh of Mithila, has arrived in Janakpurdham today. Sadhus, saints, and devotees participating in the pilgrimage, which formally began on Falgun 4, entered Janakpurdham on Monday morning.

There is a tradition for the participants to circumambulate the city of Janakpurdham starting from one o'clock tonight. This is also known as the Antargriha Parikrama or 'Panchkosi Parikrama'.

The tradition allows for devotees other than the main pilgrims to participate in the Secondary Pilgrimage. The Holi festival in the Madhesh region is celebrated after the completion of the Antargriha Parikrama.

According to the Mithila Mahatmya, there are three types of pilgrimages hyphen; Brihat, Madhyama, and Labdhi. Among these, the Madhyama Parikrama is the Mithila Secondary Pilgrimage. The tradition dictates that the pilgrimage formally commences after the palanquin (Dola) of Mithila Bihari departs from Thela Kachuri in Dhanusha on Falgun Aunsi, and the Dola of Kishoriji departs from Agnikund in Janakpurdham, passing through Janaki Mandir to reach Hanuman Nagar in Janakpur.

It is believed that a saint named Siyalalji Sharan initiated the pilgrimage in the 18th century. This pilgrimage, considered a symbol of religious, cultural, and traditional harmony between Nepal and India, involves a roughly 133-kilometer walk, crossing 15 resting points, 13 in Nepal and 2 in India.