My recent ride to Madhesh Pradesh didn’t just take me to Janakpurdham. I also got to explore Dhanusadham places, as we cruised through traditional Madheshi villages along the way.
The first stop was Parshuram Talau, a peaceful escape after a hectic night in Janakpur and the chaotic city traffic. For a moment, that reminded me of Kathmandu, even though I was supposed to be on a holiday.
Soon after, we made our way to the sacred Dhanush Temple, a sacred site deeply rooted in the history of the Ramayana.
Don’t worry! If you’re planning your own trip to Dhanusadham, this article is here to make it all easier for you.
Key Facts About Dhanusadham
| Location | Dhanusa, Madhesh Province |
| Mode of Transportation | Private / Public Vehicle |
| Distance (from Janakpur) | 25 km |
| Time to reach | 30 mins approx. |
| Best Time to Visit | All seasons (Winter preferred over Summer) |
How to Reach Dhanusadham?
Dhanusadham is just 25 km away from Janakpur and approximately 235 km from Kathmandu.
Since we personally chose to travel here on a motorcycle, I’ll be able to give you more tips regarding that.
But if you’re not riding a private vehicle, public buses are also available from Janakpurdham to Dhanusadham. This means that if you’re traveling from Kathmandu,
- You first need to get to Janakpur via bus.
- Then, take another local bus or an auto-rickshaw to reach Dhanusadham.
I’ll update this section with the latest ticket prices and the best transportation to use very soon. So, stay tuned!
From Kathmandu
If you want to follow what I did (on your private vehicle), here’s the full route I recommend:
- Start from Kathmandu and take the Dakshinkali–Fakhel–Hetauda road.
- Stop by Simara and visit Simara Park, where the main attraction is the conservation of deer.
- From there, ride ahead to Nijgadh View Tower. Enjoy the very different panoramic view of Bara.
- Continue your ride to Nunthar Mahadev, a sacred site near Janakpur that sees frequent visitors.
- Also, make sure to pause at Bharat Taal, the second-largest artificial lake of Nepal, where you can try motorboating and even enjoy a camel ride.
- Stay overnight in Janakpur, preferably near Janaki Temple. The illuminated version of the temple at night is too good to be true.
- Next morning, after visiting the temple and other major sites in Janakpurdham (if time allows), head towards Dhanusadham.
From Janakpurdham
Now, let’s talk about the exact route to reach Dhanusadham from Janakpurdham:
- Start from Bhanu Chowk and take a left.
- Then, take the right turn that leads you out of Janakpur’s ring road and connects to Parsuram Marga.
- Continue riding until you reach Bega Shivapur. From the chowk, take another right.
- You’ll encounter multiple small temples, ponds, and even open fields along the way before arriving at Parshuram Talau.
- Ride around 4 km more to reach the Dhanusadham Gate. From here, proceed slowly while taking in the views of the old Madhesi village life.
- Eventually, you’ll reach the Dhanush Mandir, which is a spiritually significant site believed to be where a part of Shiva’s bow (Pinaka) fell after being broken by Lord Ram.
The temple itself isn’t very big, but there’s enough parking space nearby. Keep your eyes on the right side of the road as it’s easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention. You’ll find pilgrims from both Nepal and India gathering here regularly.
Visit Parshuram Talau on the Way
As we were riding towards Dhanusadham, our eyes suddenly caught a huge gate on the roadside. Out of curiosity, we decided to take a detour, and we’re glad we did!
What we discovered was a hidden gem in Dhanusa district. The peaceful and lesser-known Parshuram Talau!
It’s not a part of Dhanusadham, but falls somewhere in between the two dhams. However, for the locals, it’s their favorite go-to spiritual spot, and even for taking dips in the pond to beat that Terai heat. And some even wash their clothes here in the natural habitat (in the traditional way!).
There’s no entry fee, but photography is strictly prohibited inside the two temples—one dedicated to Lord Parshuram and the other to Shiva-Parvati.
According to Hindu mythology, Parshuram is the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the eight Chiranjivis. And it’s believed that this very pond is where Lord Parshuram meditated in ancient times.
Fascinatingly, the divine bow that Lord Parshuram received as a blessing from Lord Shiva, known as Pinaka, is the same bow that Lord Ram accidentally broke during the famous Swayamvar ceremony of Mata Sita.
And one of the broken pieces of that bow is what now resides in Dhanush Mandir, located just 5 km ahead of this site.
The major highlight here is the serene, sacred pond with a footbridge that leads you to the center.
Here, you’ll find a Shiva Lingam guarded by the statue of Vasuki, the snake deity often seen around Shiva’s neck. This powerful depiction symbolizes Parshuram’s unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva.
According to ancient scriptures, Parshuram is destined to return at the end of Kali Yuga. When Lord Vishnu reincarnates as Kalki, the final avatar meant to end evil and restore dharma, Parshuram will reappear as his teacher and weapon-giver!
Note: A statue of Parshuram is also being built in the premises. You can spot that on the left-most side of the above picture too.
Dhanush Mandir: The Shiva Bow Site
Once you reach Dhanush Mandir, the first thing that greets you is the entrance gate with a statue of Lord Ram standing proudly on top.
And remember to remove your shoes before entering the temple of Dhanush (translation: bow)!
As soon as you go inside, your eyes fall upon the large part of the legendary broken Pinaka bow embedded in the ground.
I didn’t hesitate for a second. I went up and touched this iconic object, something we’ve only heard about in mythological tales of Ramayana.
Surprisingly, it didn’t look like a bow at all, but more like a thick root of an ancient Peepal tree. That’s when we spoke to the temple priest, and here’s what we learned:
During the Swayamvar, when Lord Ram lifted and strung the powerful Pinaka, its force was so immense that it snapped into three huge pieces.
One part is believed to have flown all the way to Rameshwaram, India. Another landed in Dhanush Sagar, a sacred pond in Janakpurdham. And the third piece? It remains right here, at Dhanush Mandir.
Over centuries, the roots of the more-than-500-year-old Peepal tree have grown around the embedded bow fragment so tightly that nobody can literally separate it. That’s the reason why this sacred artifact has remained perfectly preserved and untouched by time.
And at the opposite end of the Peepal tree, a part of the broken bow surfaced only about 20 years ago! A small Trishul (trident) now marks the spot where you can offer your prayers.
Just by the tree, there’s a small open hollow space in the ground. If you place your hand underneath, you’ll come in contact with cool, holy underground water.
I made sure to sprinkle some on myself, hoping to cleanse my soul in some small way. Even you shouldn’t hesitate trying this activity.
How are Janakpurdham and Dhanusadham Different?
Although both Janakpurdham and Dhanusadham lie in the Dhanusha District, they are actually two distinct locations.
Janakpurdham is a well-developed sub-metropolitan city and also the district headquarters of Dhanusha. It’s known for its the iconic Janaki Temple. It’s the capital city of Madhesh Pradhesh with sacred ponds like Dhanush Sagar, Ganga Sagar, and many other heritage sites.
On the other hand, Dhanusadham is a separate municipality located around 25 kilometers away from Janakpur. It’s more remote, with mainly Madhesi villages and it’s only visited by niched Hindu pilgrims who wish to peek into the broken piece of Pinaka.
Final Words
Dhanusadham definitely isn’t just about the two places we explored, but they are the must-visit highlights you simply can’t miss if you’re planning your trip to Janakpur.
You won’t just get to visit sacred spiritual landmarks, but also travel across traditional Madheshi villages, absorbing the raw beauty and authentic charm this part of Nepal has to offer.
I’d love to visit Dhanusadham again if I ever get the opportunity. And hopefully next time, I’ll spend more time with the locals and learn deeper stories connected to the place.
And for you: I hope I’ve made things easier, so you can explore Dhanusadham smoothly and meaningfully.
Happy traveling to Dhanusha!
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