Our Trip to Janakpur, Nepal | Travel narrative |

Background

My grade 11 (junior year in high school) was really a rough year for me. I amn’t saying that I haven’t really grown as a person. I learned so many things and am happy to do so many wonderful things (including this blog) but I would say it was rough as it really gave me a push I needed as an individual. This year really challenged me as a son, student and a human being. And also showed me about the functioning of your society as I found myself leaned into this facilitated environment in my hostel till 10th standard. And I would say this year was surely remarkable.

This year gave me a rush which made me feel alone and gave me a burning desire to meet friends and maybe to feel a bit nostalgic. So I planned a trip along with my friend Tanuj to Janakpur (his hometown), Dhangadhi (place where I was raised) and Mahendranagar despite criticisms about our plan as it was in summer (which is extreme in Terai Region of Nepal). But I hold the feeling it will all plan out along with the uncertainty being mortal beings. So I take the risk with money I made by making the website of our office and just go with it.

Introduction

My finals exams ended on June 2 as my two other friends were waiting for me as their vacation had begun days before mine. We started our trip on June 3. In the evening (as per our bus time). I, along with my friend Shrawan, got tikka from my mother and joined Tanuj in the bus stop where he had taken the bus before ours. He showed us our seats and gave some tips for our journey. We talked about various things on our journey.

Picture of us having tikka

Glimpse of our journey

We also passed various districts on our way including Hetauda, Dhading and Chitwan.

Day 1 (June 4)

We reached Janakpur on june 4 in the morning where we stayed in tanuj’s house which is located in Bhanu chowk, Janakpur.

Glimpse of tanuj's house

We reached there and met his parents and brother Anuj. And we found out that it rained heavily the previous day. Due to which the weather was really good for travelling. After getting freshen up we went to the Janaki mandir (Naulakha mandir).

(Janaki Temple is really beautiful along with the unique mithila art but I also believe it could really use a better management and repairment in various places)

We then went to Dhanush Sagar and Ganga Sagar and then returned home.

Picture of us at Dhanush Sagar

Picture of mithila art at Ganga Sagar

In the evening we went to the Bhootnath temple, Ram Sita Vivah Mandap (ticket Rs.5) and experienced wonderful Arati in the bank of Ganga Sagar.

Picture at Bhootnath temple

Pictures at Ram Sita Vivah Mandap

Pictures during Arati

We also tried sweets at Hansraj after Bhootnath temple.
The day was really wonderful and I then and now still am amazed about how many wonderful experiences I could hold on one single day.

Day 2 (June 5)

We didn’t make out a lot on the second day. (I guess jet lag hit us late). We went for a walk once and we only went once when we tried sattu and panipuri.

Pictures having pani puri

Pictures of us having Sattu (We didn't like it)

The day went on home only where we rested.

Day 3 (June 6)

June 6 was really a wonderful day. We planned to travel to Jay nagar(India) by train for the first time in our lives. We did exchange our currencies by the help of tanuj’s father. We also went to his father’s office ( he is a government engineer). We then for the first time travelled in the train station and the journey was better than we expected. We found the train was of a newer model as well as how the train travels in both directions.

Pictures on train before Jay nagar

We reached Jay nagar(which was a bit flooded due to the rain) and to be honest I found the places to be a lot crowded and poorly cleaned. We walked a bit and then we were kind of in a dilemma on what to do (mainly after one shopkeeper told us that they themself took a train to Nepal to visit). But now when I look back at it. It was nice. (We did try dosa in Jay nagar).

Picture of dosa

Pictures at jay nagar

We have really long conversations about our lives and things we are facing while sitting on the door of the train.

Pictures on our journey back in train

In the evening when we returned home. We were accompanied by our other school friend Ankit who joined us for dinner and we had a good sleep afterwards as we were going to Dhangadhi the next day.

Day 4 (June 7)

June 7 was all about leaving. We took pictures with the parents of Tanuj.

Pictures with tanuj's parents

And started our journey to Dhangadhi where more adventures were waiting for us. Tanuj wasn’t able to join us as he had places to go himself.

Pictures on our journey to dhangadhi

Conclusion

I really had a wonderful 3 days in Janakpur at our friend's home. We explored various wonderful things. And I believe Janakpur is a city you should travel to if you are planning for a tour. Also I also believe a city as beautiful and ancient as Janakpur should be well managed and regulated in a better manner.