JANAKPUR ZONE

Covering an area of 3,920 square miles and comprising a population of (???), this zone stretches from the Tibetan border on its north to the Indian border in the south. On the east and on the west, it is bounded by Sagarmatha zone and Bagmati zone respectively. Situated partly in mountains an partly in the plains, this zone has all kinds regions such as snow clad mountains including Mt. Gaurishankar, high altitude mountains, low-altitude mountains valleys and plains etc. Minerals such as Coal, iron-ore, nickel etc. are found in this zone but are still to be exploited. There is also a huge potential for generating Hydroelectricity from the rivers, Kamala and Sun Kosi which also remains to be harnessed. The biggest cigarette factory of the kingdom is in this zone apart from many other small scale an cottage industries, the districts of this zone are Dolkha, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Mohattari, Sarlahi and Dhanusa.  

JANAKPUR

Headquarters of Dhanusa district in Janakpur zone. Janakpur town is famous for the Janaki temple and various other holy places. The largest cigarette factory of the country (Janakpur Cigarette Factory) is also in this town. 

JANAK

Sirdhwaj Janak was the King of Videha of which Mithila was the capital in the times of the great epic Ramayana. Mithila is now the Janakpur city of Dhanusa district in Nepal. A great philosopher and a learned man, Janak was a king of distinction who took his state to the height of development and enlightenment. Sita, the ideal woman and consort of Rama was the King Janak’s daughter. Rama being the son of Dasaratha, the King of Kosala, his marriage had led to closer ties between these two neighbouring states.  

JANAI PURNIMA

Janai Purnima is a Nepalese festival observed on the full moon day of Shrawan (July). This festival is celebrated by the people of Nepal and is popularly known by many names like Gunpunhi, Kwatipuni, Rishi parpai etc. And this is one of the most widely celebrated common festivals of the Buddhists and the Hindus. On this day one can see several Hindus going to the Buddhist temples and the Budhhists to the Hindu temples.

JAMBHALA

Jambala  is the God of wealth and is often worshipped for the same. Described as such in Buddhist text, Jambhala is depicted holding a bag-full of money. He is attended by a mongoose vomiting jewels out of its mouth.

JALESWAR

This is the headquarters of Mahottari district in eastern Nepal. A prominent town of eastern Terai region, it is a trade centre for agricultural product like rice, tobacco, maize, peas etc. for the district as a whole.  

JAJARKOT

This district is in the mid-western region under Bheri Zone. Khalangabazar is the headquarters of the district and its population is 134,868. 

ISLAM

The great monotheistic religion of Muslims, Islam does not believe in existence of any one God but Allah who is the only supreme being. Hazrat Mohammad, the prophet (A.D.570-632) who claims himself as the successor to Allah is the founder of this religion. Though a minority in Nepal, hundreds of thousands of Muslims adhere to this religion and perform their religious practices in various Mosques in Kathmandu and many other districts. Koran is the great religious text and a pilgrimage or Hajj to Mecca what all devout Muslim aspire for to submit themselves to the will of Allah. 

INDRAJATRA

This important festival of Kathmandu lasts a week beginning the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of Bhadra (September). A long pole is raised to mark the beginning of the festival. The golden image of God Indra mounted on an elephant is placed near the pole. It is believed that Lord Indra had been caught red-handed in human form while stealing some flowers known as Parijat which was not available in the heaven. He was thus put to disgrace and shame with his hands tied up with ropes.

Display of the images of Bhairav and Indra, Tantric and other traditional dances of Mahakali and Bhairav at Bhadgaon and Halchowk respectively, marching dances of Gods, Goddesses and demons, the exhibition of the ten incarnations of Vishnu and the pulling of the chariots of Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari in Kathmandu are the features of the Indra Jatra. 

The first day of the festival is especially marked by the members of bereaved families (families who have lost a dear one in the preceeding year) who go in procession through the streets of Kathmandu enchanting hymns and prayers. The chariots of living gods Ganesh and Bhairav as well as living goddess Kumari are draw along the streets of Kathmandu on the third, fourth and the last day of the festival . Two young boys and virgin girl are there selected according to religious rules and regulations to act as Ganesh, Bhairav and Kumari. This festival is also known as “Kumari Rath Jatra”.

INDRAVATI RIVER

One of the seven component rivers of (Sapta) Kosi River System, Indravati river is formed with various rivers emerging from Jugal Himal in the district of Sindhupalchowk. The river, along with other two rivers, Jarayetar and Melemchi Khola, joins with Sun Kosi at Dolalghat.