Dhanusha Dham

Dhanushadham is a sacred pilgrimage town located about 40 kilometers (18 km northeast) from Janakpurdham, believed to be the place where the broken remains of Lord Shiva's divine bow fell after Rama shattered it to win Sita's hand in marriage. This makes it one of the most spiritually significant sites in the Ramayana pilgrimage circuit.

According to Valmiki Ramayana, when Lord Rama broke Lord Shiva's bow (Pinac), a tremendous blast scattered pieces across the land. The bow—originally made from the bones of sage Dadhichi along with Vajra (given to Indra) and Saarang (with Vishnu/Rama)—was entrusted to King Janaka. When Rama broke Pinac, small fragments fell at various locations, with one significant piece landing at Dhanushadham.

The "Dhanusha" (broken bow) is said to be buried deep in a sacred pond, with only a small part visible during dry seasons. A fossilized fragment of the broken piece is believed to be present here, making it a site of immense archaeological and religious interest. Mithila philosophical texts declare that all sins will be washed away for those who visit and worship at Dhanushkhand.

Every Sunday in the month of Magh (January/February), a Makar Mela (fair) takes place—a tradition unbroken since Vedic times. Tens of thousands of devotees from Nepal and India flock here to pay homage. The area is considered one of the purest spiritual locations by Maithili Brahmins and Hindu scholars.

Dhanusadham is part of the Janakpur-Ramayana Circuit being jointly promoted by Nepal and India for religious tourism. Visitors who come to Janakpurdham rarely miss visiting this site to complete their pilgrimage. The municipality (Dhanusadham Municipality) itself is named after this sacred location.

To reach Dhanusha Dham, local buses depart from Janakpur's main bus station. The fare is approximately NPR 50-100, and the journey takes about 45 minutes to an hour through the Mithila countryside.