Muktinath is a part of the beautiful Annapurna Circuit-It’s religious importance and offers staggering views of the Annapurna Ranges. The journey from Jomsom to Muktinath is on another level-its, so beautiful that it can’t be put across in words. A trek of 5-6 days from Muktinath will take you to Manang, which is an equally enchanting-the journey after which can be covered by bus to Pokhara. Janakpur and Sitamarhi are linked to India Mythology The Ramayana, where Lord Ram’s wife was brought up and born respectively-It’s religious significance is enormous!
10 Reasons why you must visit Muktinath and Janakpur/Sitamarhi:
- Janakpuri (Nepal) has the Janaki Temple and is the birthplace of Goddess Sita and the place of her marriage to the God Ram(at Ram Sita Vivah Mandap). It is regarded as the center of Mithila Culture and is spiritually an essential destination for Hindus.
- The Ganga Sagar, Dhanush Sagar, and the Parshuram Kunda are a few essential ponds in the Janakpur city that are sacred to the locals; some are huge in the area.
- Sitamarhi (India), the birthplace of Devi Sita, is in the state of Bihar in East India, with excellent tourist places like Janaki Temple, Haleshwar Sthan, Bagchi, Mathhukeshwar Sthan, Bodhayan-Sar, and Sabhagachhi Sasaula.
- Annapurna Circuit, of which Jomsom and Muktinath are part, has peaks like Annapurna I-IV, Dhaulagiri, Machhapuchhre, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and Paungda Danda of 6000-8000m in elevation. This circuit is voted the best long-distance trek in the world, as it covers a variety of vegetation and climate zones from the tropics to the upper Himalayas, with changes in culture happening rather rapidly.
- Jomsom sits on the River Kali Gandaki bank, which is the world’s deepest gorge and a must-visit tourist spot.
- Mount Nilgiri in Annapurna Circuit has a famous lake called Dhumba Lake, which is holy for Buddhists. The mighty Himalayas beautifully surrounds this lake in itself.
- Muktinath temple is sacred for Hindus, and Muktinath is holy for Buddhists and the place where the great sage Guru Rinpoche, who introduced Buddhism to Tibet, came to meditate.
Location: Muktinath is 170 km from Pokhara-second biggest city of Nepal-takes around 8-9 hours with breaks by public transport with a break journey at Jomsom.
Tourist Attraction on the spot:
Muktinath Temple and Bazaar and Annapurna Conservation Area./Janaki Temple; Sita Kund and Temple; Ganga Sagar, Shree Ram Janaki Biwaha Mandap, Haleshwar Sthaan
Tourist Attraction in Vicinity:
You can visit Manang, Pokhara, Kathmandu, Tilcho Lake, and Thorong La from Muktinath.
Distance Charts:(Muktinath | Janakpur)
- Mathura(1030 | 1000 km)
- Pokhara(175 | 365 km)
- Gangtok(915 | 430 km)
- Janakpur(540 | 0 km)
- Rajgir(715 | 280 km)
- Sitamarhi(530 | 55 km)
- Jomsom(20 | 520 km)
- Darjeeling(845 | 780 km)
- Manang(370 | 430 km)
- Lumbini(330 | 380 km)
- Kathmandu(375 | 225 km)
- Lucknow(640 | 610 km)
How to Reach Muktinath and Janakpur
Road Routes:
Kathmandu-Pokhara-Paudurkot-Khaniyaaghaat-Beni Bazaar-Tatopani Bazaar-Jomsom-Kagbeni-Muktinath
Kathmandu-Bhaktapur-Bhimeshwor-Mithila-Janakpur-Sitamarhi-Muzaffarpur-Patna(India)
IMPORTANT NOTE FROM MY EXPERIENCE:
1)The perfect time to be in Muktinath is just after winter, between April and June, and just after rains, that is, September to October. This is when the temperature is suitable, and the views are dazzling!
2)When you are at Muktinath, if you have ample time, get yourself trekking to Manang and from Manang, and get a bus to Pokhara. This will complete the beautiful Annapurna circuit in a week!
3)Roads are drastically pathetic, with dust and mud all over the place between Jomsom and Pokhara. At times, you’ll be on the river bed itself. Watch my video, and you’ll know what I mean. Be prepared for a tiresome journey.
4)Jomsom also offers beautiful scenes of the Himalayas. So use your camera at dawn and sunrise, and you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty.
5)Janakpur and Sitamarhi are on plains; hence, the best time to visit is between September and March. However, even in April, you can’t stand barefoot in the afternoon in temples and always need an umbrella.
RAIL: Railway is available upto Janakpur.A single dusty road from Pokhara covers Muktinath.
You can watch the below video to get a better idea! Do like and share if you find it worth it…
AIR: Kathamandu and Pokhara are the nearest airports.
ROAD: There’s a single dusty road from Pokhara via Tatopani and Jomsom to Muktinath. So bear the pain to reach Muktinath! For Janakpur, you can get from Kathmandu and Bihar state of India.
Map:
Time to Visit:
March End to Early June; September-October are the best times to visit Muktinath; for Janakpur, September-Early April is the best months.
Spend Time With:
Family, Friends, Solo, Couple
Food and Lodging:
Hotels are there in Jomsom mainly and are pretty in numbers, are cheap and good to stay with beautiful views. Janakpur has hardly any remaining places, so it’s better to visit in the daytime and return by night. Cheap and good food all over Kathmandu. Refer to Goibibo, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and TripAdvisor if you want a booking.
Expense:
For a two-day trip to Muktinath and transit trip to Janakpur/Sitamarhi:
Food: NPR 100/person/day(3 times a day)X3
Transport: 2000 NPR by bus Pokhara-Muktinath-Pokhara;1000 NPR-Kathmandu to Janakpur and INR 400-Patna to Janakpur
Lodging: NPR 700/day X1 at Jomsom
Entry Fees: No entry fees.
Total: 4600 NPR(INR is 1.6x NPR)
Nearby Attractions(Muktinath | Janakpur)
- Rajgir(715 | 280 km)
- Sitamarhi(530 | 55 km)
- Jomsom(20 | 520 km)
- Bodhgaya(750 | 300 km)
- Mansarovar(1020 km)
- Darjeeling(845 | 780 km)
- Manang(370 | 430 km)
- Mathura(1030 | 1000 km)
- Nainital(860 | 1000 km)
- Janakpur(540 | 0 km)
- Pokhara(175 | 365 km)
- Lumbini(330 | 380 km)
- Kathmandu(375 | 225 km)
- Lucknow(640 | 610 km)
- Gangtok(915 | 430 km)
