Mithila Parikrama rally ends formally

By Vijay Kumar Sah,Dhalkebar, March 8: The 15-day Mithila Madhyamiki Parikrama concluded on Tuesday. The circumambulation, considered one of the longest in the world, ended on Tuesday after the participants went around the city of Janakpurdham in the ritual known as the Antargriha Parikrama. 

The Parikrama began on March 20 from the Mithila Bihari Temple of Kachuri, Janakpurdham, and, after passing through 15 sites in Nepal and India, arrived in Janakpur on Monday. 

After resting for a night, the devotees participated in the Antargriha Parikrama, also called Panchakoshi Parikrama because it covers a distance of five Koshes (approximately 16 kilometres) from Pidari Chowk to Pidari Chowk via Mills Area, Bhanu Chowk, Kadam Chowk, Bishara Chowk, Murali, Bhamarpura and Gyankup, and formally finished the religious rally. Those who cannot walk the full Madhyamiki Parikrama also participate in the Antargriha ritual.

Over 100,000 Nepali and Indian pilgrims are estimated to have participated in the Parikrama walk this year.

According to the text Mithila Mahatmya, this annual circumambulation started in the 18th century.

 Mahantha Ram Naresh Das of the Mithila Bihari Temple, informed that taking part in the Parikrama, which goes around special sites in the ancient Mithila kingdom, brings merit. 

People try walking the Parikrama at least once in their lives because doing so is believed to bring salvation (Moksha) after death.

Saints believe that this circumambulation was started to enable people to see the places Ram and Sita visited. 

This Parikrama starts every year on the first new moon day of the Nepali month of Falgun.

With the Parikrama concluding on Tuesday, Janakpurdham will celebrate Holi on Wednesday.