Ahead of the consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, India on January 22, Nepal’s Janakpur – believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram’s wife Sita – is getting ready to join in the festivities with several cultural and religious programmes. Another name of Sita is Janaki, who was the daughter of King Janak of Janakpur. It is 220 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu and about 500 kilometers east of Ayodhya.

Our daughter Mata Janaki was married to Lord Shri Ram. We are very excited and proud that Ramlala will be consecrated in Ayodhya. Former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal Bimalendra Nidhi said on Saturday that the people of Janakpur were very happy when the Supreme Court of India gave its final verdict (in the Ayodhya case).

For the people of Janakpur, Shri Ram is not only a god but also their son-in-law. Senior Nepali Congress leader Nidhi said, people are happy that her daughter and son-in-law are entering their own house.

Nepal is situated between India and China. Both India and China have influence on Nepal and vice versa. However, in comparison, India has deeper cultural, geographical and political ties with Nepal, he said. He said that India and Nepal have ‘roti-beti’ relations (trade and marriage) but this does not apply to China.

Ram Ashish Yadav, MLA from Janakpur’s Dhanusha constituency, said that on this occasion, religious meetings will be held in every Ram and Sita temple in his city. He said there will be several stage shows based on Ramayana and people have planned to light 1,25,000 lamps at the Janaki temple on January 22.

He said that there will be a grand aarti of Lord Ram and Sita. Celebrations are being planned in the Madhesh region, the Terai region located between the hills and plains of Nepal. Yadav also said that after the consecration of Ram temple, religious tourism will increase in Janakpur.

Janakpur Dham has got a new life after the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Many Indian tourists started visiting this place. After the inauguration of Ram Mandir, we are sure, more religious tourists will visit this place.

Tourism has become a big factor in the country’s economy and plays a big role in increasing the country’s GDP. Nepal MLA said, after the inauguration of the temple, religious tourists will increase and Janakpur will become more prosperous.

Tapeshwar Das, chief priest of the Janaki temple in Janakpur, described the Ayodhya incident as the union of two families, the families of Lord Ram and Mother Sita. More than 3,000 gifts, including silver shoes, jewelery and dresses, have been sent to Ayodhya from Janakpur, he said.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)