Ram Mandir Consecration in Ayodhya: Time for Justice for Sita Too

On 22nd January, the Ram Mandir was consecrated in Ayodhya, marking a historic moment for Ram devotees across India, Nepal, and the world. It was a moment of great pride after a 500-year-long struggle to restore Ram’s birthplace. In 1528, Babur, a Mughal emperor, destroyed the Ram temple and built the Babri Masjid. What followed was centuries of legal battles, sacrifices, and dedication by Ram devotees to reclaim what was rightfully Ram’s land.

Thanks to the wisdom and spiritual faith of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ram temple was finally built. On this historic day, Ram Lalla returned home after being in exile for 500 years, mirroring the 14 years Ram spent in the forest in Treta Yuga. But while Ram finally received justice, Sita, the soul of Ram, remains forgotten.

Sita, born in Janakpur, Nepal, went into exile with Ram, faced abduction by Ravan, endured trials of purity, and ultimately merged into the earth in Valmiki’s Ashram, where she raised Ram’s sons, Luv and Kush. Yet, while the world now flocks to Ayodhya to see Ram, Sita’s temple and sacred sites remain neglected. Even in June, when religious festivals bloom and millions undertake spiritual journeys, Sita’s land remains in silence.

Stones weighing 14 and 16 tons were sent from Nepal to make Ram–Sita statues, but only Ram’s idol was completed. Why was Sita not honored beside Ram? Just as no Krishna temple feels complete without Radha, no Ram temple should feel complete without Sita. Every June, devotees perform yatra, visit shrines, and celebrate Ram, yet few make the journey to Sita’s birthplace.

Today, millions travel to Ayodhya to witness the grandeur of the Ram temple. In 2022, before the temple was even completed, over 22.1 million visited. With new infrastructure like Maharishi Valmiki International Airport and modern five-star facilities, Ayodhya is now an international spiritual city attracting over 100,000 visitors daily. But Janakpur, the sacred land of Sita, has not received similar development—even during peak spiritual seasons like June.

Janakpur Dham—the birthplace of Sita—is just 4 to 5 hours from Ayodhya by road or rail, and a 30-minute flight away. But it lacks the modern temple infrastructure that Ayodhya has. The same goes for Valmiki’s Ashram, where Sita spent her final days. It is disconnected, lacking electricity, water, roads, and shelters. The area is so remote, it’s compared to an open prison, especially during monsoon months like June when travel becomes even more difficult.

After 500 years, Ram got justice—but Sita is still waiting. June should be the month we finally begin that justice. The Government of Nepal must upgrade Janakpur Airport to handle international flights and improve road and rail links from Ayodhya. The blocked suspension bridge connecting Trivenighat to Valmiki Ashram should be operational to ease access. Imagine if small electric vehicles could carry pilgrims to this sacred site in minutes. It would not only boost religious tourism in Nepal but also honor Sita, Ram’s better half—especially in June, when temples overflow with devotion.

Let’s not delay justice for Sita any longer. Ram devotees must raise their voices. Just as the world stood for Ram, now it’s time to stand for Sita. Let Ram be celebrated every June in his majestic temple, but let Sita be remembered too—in her rightful temple, in her sacred land.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya important?
   The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya marks the birthplace of Lord Ram, a central figure in Hinduism. Its consecration in 2024 was the culmination of a 500-year struggle by Ram devotees to restore their sacred site.
2. Who was responsible for demolishing the original Ram Temple?
   In 1528, Babur, a Mughal emperor, destroyed the original Ram temple at Ayodhya and built the Babri Masjid on the same site.
3. When was Ram Mandir consecrated?
   The Ram Mandir was consecrated on 22nd January 2024, marking the return of Ram Lalla to his rightful home.
4. Why is there a demand for justice for Sita?
   While Ram now has a grand temple in Ayodhya, Sita, his divine consort, remains sidelined. Sacred sites like Janakpur Dham and Valmiki Ashram in Nepal are underdeveloped and deserve equal reverence and attention.
5. What is the distance between Ayodhya and Janakpur?
   The direct distance is around 372 km, and with modern transport, it takes just 4–5 hours to travel between Ayodhya and Janakpur. A flight takes only 30 minutes.
6. How can Nepal benefit from the rise in Ram devotees visiting Ayodhya?
   By developing Janakpur and Valmiki Ashram, Nepal can attract millions of Ram and Sita devotees, boosting religious tourism and cultural exchange between Nepal and India.
7. What should the governments of Nepal and India do?
   The governments should collaborate to build better infrastructure, including extending Janakpur’s airport, operating the suspension bridge near Valmiki Ashram, and promoting Sita’s legacy just as they did for Ram in Ayodhya.
8. Is there a temple for Sita in Ayodhya?
   Currently, there isn’t a dedicated grand temple for Sita in Ayodhya like the Ram Mandir. Many devotees believe that building one would truly honor Ram and Sita together.

   DEEP & RARE FACTS RELATED TO RAM MANDIR AND SITA’S JUSTICE:

9. The First Legal Plea in 1885 Was Rejected

• The first official legal case for constructing a Ram temple at Ram Janmabhoomi was filed in 1885 by Mahant Raghubir Das in Faizabad court.
• It was rejected, stating that allowing temple construction would cause communal unrest.
• Despite this, Ram devotees didn’t stop. Over 135 years of litigation followed.

2. Archaeological Excavations Confirm Temple Remains

• Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 2003 revealed the remnants of a large Hindu temple structure beneath the Babri Masjid.
• The findings included pillar bases, sculptures, and inscriptions dating to the 10th–12th century, consistent with Ramayana-era architecture.

3. Ram Lalla Was a Legal Entity

• The deity “Ram Lalla Virajman” was considered a juristic person by the Indian courts, which means Ram was allowed to be a plaintiff in the court case.
• This was a unique legal provision that helped preserve the religious sentiment of Hindus and protect the deity’s rights.

4. Sita’s Temple Was Proposed Before Independence

• In the 1940s, scholars and saints from Nepal had proposed a Sita Mandir in Ayodhya to honor her equally.
• But due to political instability and Indo-Nepal coordination issues, the proposal never materialized.

5. Janakpur Was Once the Capital of Mithila Kingdom

• Janakpur, now in Nepal, was the capital of King Janaka, Sita’s father, and a prominent center of philosophy, art, and dharma.
• Ancient texts refer to Mithila as the intellectual hub where even sages like Yajnavalkya taught.

6. Valmiki Ashram is Older Than Most Temples

• The Valmiki Ashram in Nepal is believed to be over 5000 years old, where Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush, and authentic Ramayana was written by Rishi Valmiki.
• This makes it one of the oldest unmaintained but sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus.

7. Sita Was Not Her Birth Name

• Sita’s original name is Bhumija (daughter of the Earth), and she was called Sita (meaning furrow) because she was discovered in a ploughed field during a yajna by King Janaka.
• She is also called Maithili, Janaki, and Vaidehi, all referencing her lineage and region.

8. Nepal Sent Sacred Shilas for Ram Mandir

• Nepal sent two sacred stones (Shilas) weighing 16 and 14 tons from the Kali Gandaki river, believed to be Vishnu Shilas, for the Ram–Sita idols.
• Sadly, only Ram’s idol was completed; Sita’s idol remains unrealized.

9. Janakpur Is Recognized in UNESCO’s Tentative List

• Janakpur and its cultural heritage are listed in the UNESCO Tentative List for world heritage recognition, but due to neglect, it hasn’t been fully developed or nominated.

10. The Ramayana Circuit Project

• The Government of India has initiated a “Ramayana Circuit” under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, which includes Ayodhya, but Janakpur and Valmiki Ashram remain under-promoted despite their immense significance.

Conclusion:

While Ram now has a global shrine, Sita’s history remains hidden in the forests of Nepal. Recognizing Janakpur Dham and Valmiki Ashram as equal spiritual sites isn’t just about religion—it’s about cultural justice, female representation, and honoring the soul of Sanatan Dharma.