A 251-member delegation, led by Chief Minister Satish Kumar Singh, has embarked on a journey to the Shree Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, to extend invitations for the upcoming Janaki Bibah Mahotsav in Janakpurdham, Nepal, scheduled for December 6.
The delegation, which left Birgunj today, traveled via the Raxaul transit. Santsh Kumar Sah, Chief of the World Hindu Council in Janakpur, shared that the delegation departed from Janakpur on Saturday, accompanied by musical celebrations. After an overnight stay in Birgunj, the group is expected to reach Ayodhya tonight, where they will present the formal invitation to the temple’s office-bearers, inviting them to attend the Janaki Bibah Mahotsav.
In addition, Sah mentioned that the delegation would participate in the Tilokotsav at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Monday, a key event in the preparations for the upcoming Janaki Bibah Mahotsav.
The Janaki Bibah Mahotsav, a grand celebration of the divine marriage of Sita (Janaki) and the Hindu god Ram, is an important cultural and religious event. According to scriptures, Janaki is the daughter of King Janaka, the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Videha. As per tradition, the delegation will also deliver the ’tilak’—a symbolic gift consisting of clothes, ornaments, curd, butter, flattened rice, fruits, sweets, and other offerings—to Lord Ram, his three brothers, and the queen.
The delegation includes several high-ranking officials, including Raj Kumar Lekhi, the Minister for Home Affairs, Communication, and Law; Mohammad Shakil Miya, the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Tourism; Kaushal Kumar Yadav, the Minister for Labour and Transport; and Tribhuvan Sah, the Minister for Forests and Environment. Also part of the group are the Mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City, Manoj Kumar Saha; President of the Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Surendra Bhadari; Ram Roshan Das Vaishnav, the successor priest of the Janaki Temple; and various representatives from civil society.
The “bridegroom’s party” will arrive in Janakpurdham from Ayodhya on December 6 for the Janaki Bibah Mahotsav, as confirmed by the Council president, Sah.