{{Short description|Hindu temple in Nepal}} {{Infobox Hindu temple|native_name=मणिमंडप|name=Manimandapa|native_name_lang=mai|image={{Photomontage | position = center | photo1a = | photo2a = Vedi.jpg }}|caption=Manimandapa Mandir believed to be the place of marriage between Lord Rama and Goddess Sita|religious_affiliation=Hinduism|deity=Lord Rama and Goddess Sita|festival=Vivaha Panchami|location=Rani Bazar, Janakpur, Mithila region, Nepal|district=Dhanusha District|province=Madhesh Pradesh|country=Nepal|footnotes=Marriage place of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita|coordinates={{Coord|26.7593750|N|85.9150037|E}}}} '''Manimandapa''' (Maithili: '''मणिमंडप''') is a Hindu temple believed by some to be the place of marriage between the Prince Rama of Ayodhya and the Princess Sita of Mithila Kingdom. It is located at the outskirts of Janakpur city in the Mithila region of Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mani Mandap: a hidden gem in Janakpur |url=https://kathmandupost.com/travel/2019/09/13/mani-mandap-a-hidden-gem-in-janakpur |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=kathmandupost.com |language=English}}</ref>
== Background == In the Ramayana, King Janaka of Mithila Kingdom organised a famous ''Swayamvar Sabha'' for the marriage of his daughter Princess Sita at the court of the kingdom. In the Swayamvar Sabha King Janaka put a condition that whoever be able to uplift the Pinaka bow and broke it would be eligible for marriage with his daughter Princess Sita. It is said that in the ''Swayamvar Sabha'' all the kings of Aryavarta were invited to participate. According to the Ramayana, no one was able to uplift the bow except Prince Rama of Ayodhya.<ref>{{Cite web |last=aajtak |title=रामचरित मानस खंड-3: जब श्रीराम ने तिनके की तरह उठा लिया शिवधनुष और कर दिए दो टुकड़े |url=https://www.aajtak.in/interactive/photo-essay/ram-charit-manas-part-3-sri-ram-shiv-dhanush-sita-swayamvar-ramcharit-manas-in-hindi-ntc-pryd-137-04-01-2024 |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=aajtak |language=hi}}</ref> In the Swayamvar Sabha, Prince Rama uplifted the bow Pinaka and broke it into three pieces. It is believed by some adherents that one piece of the bow went into the sky, the other into the ''Patala'' (underworld), and the third onto the earth. Prince Rama was declared as the winner of the competition in Swayamvar Sabha.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=ये मंदिर हैं सबूत, भारत नेपाल में है बेटी रोटी का युगों पुराना नाता |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/astro/religion-rituals/pilgrimage/these-temples-in-nepal-are-proof-of-indias-healthy-connection-to-nepal-from-ages/articleshow/91221732.cms |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=जनकपुर में है सीता-राम विवाह का मंडप और वो जगह जहां श्रीराम ने धनुष तोड़ा |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/religion/dharam/news/sita-ram-vivah-mandap-janki-mandir-and-shiv-dhanush-dham-in-nepal-126175285.html |work=Dainik Bhaskar}}</ref> After Prince Rama broke the bow in the Swayamvar Sabha, Princess Sita garlanded him.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=इस जगह सीता माता ने की थी श्री राम संग शादी, रामायण के 'लक्ष्मण' ने तस्वीरों में दिखाई वो जगह - Sita Mata had married Shri Ram at this place Lakshman Ramayana Sunil lehri showed that place in pictures |url=https://www.jagran.com/entertainment/tv-sita-mata-had-married-shri-ram-at-this-place-lakshman-ramayana-sunil-lehri-showed-that-place-in-pictures-21823351.html |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Jagran |language=hi}}</ref>
== Description == According to legend, after the prince Rama broke the bow at the court of the King Janaka, the procession for marriage along with King Dasharatha came from Ayodhya to Mithila. According to legendary story in Mithila, after winning Swayamvar Sabha at the court of Janaka, Prince Rama along with his three brothers were married at ''Manimandapa'' with Princess Sita and her three sisters.<ref name=":2" /> The place where the altar and sacrificial pavilion (''Yajna Mandap'') decorated with gems was built for the marriage in Janakpur is near ''Rani Bazar'' known ''Manimandapa''. In the campus of the shrine there is a pond where the feet of the four brothers were washed at the time of the marriage.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />
== New construction ==
Due to the historical, cultural and legendary significance of the site, the premises of the temple is being developed since last seven years by the federal government of Nepal. A new garden called as ''Sita Pushpa Vatika'' has been developed in the campus of the temple. The garden has been designed to reflect the beauty of Mithila's civilisation and nature during the Ramayan-era. Similarly, two-storied ''Janak Durbar'' building, a ''dharmashala'', ''Swayamvar Mandap'' and two pavilions have been constructed in the campus of the temple. Some shopping rooms have also been constructed in the premises for tourism purpose. The area of the premises of the temple is about two ''bighas'' of land. The development of the premises of the temple is aimed to attract tourists and make it as a wedding destination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sita Pushpa Vatika Manimandap construction nears completion |url=https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/65544 |access-date=2025-07-27 |website=GorakhaPatra}}</ref>thumb|The pond in the campus of Manimandapa where princes Rama and his three brothers washed their feet during the marriage ceremony
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Hindu temples in Janakpur Category:Places in the Ramayana Category:Rama temples outside India Category:Sita temples in Mithila