Godar (Dhanusha): Ahead of the scheduled consecration ceremony at Ayodhya's Shreeram Temple on January 22, Janakpurdham has dispatched special 'bhar' gifts as offerings to Ayodhya, India.

A team, part of the Janakpurdham-Ayodhyadham religious procession, embarked on their journey this morning, carrying these unique offerings for Ayodhya. The team received a warm farewell from dignitaries including Saroj Kumar Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Bimalendra Nidhi, House of Representatives (HoR) member and Nepali Congress leader, and Janaki Temple Mahantha Ram Tapeshwor Das.

In accordance with Maithili culture, it is customary to send offerings from the daughter's maternal home on auspicious occasions taking place in her husband's home. Respecting this tradition, Janakpurdham, considered the maternal home of Sita, who married the then crown prince of Ayodhaya, Ram, has presented offerings to Ayodhya for the Shreeram Temple inauguration.

The offerings include a variety of jewelry, utensils, clothing, and sweets, creatively arranged in specially crafted bamboo baskets. Approximately 300 individuals make up the team heading to Ayodhya with the 'Gharbasak bhar' or gifts for the housewarming occasion, symbolizing the inauguration of the Ram Temple as Lord Ram enters his new abode, as explained by associate priest Das.

During their journey, the team will visit various religious places, passing through Jaleshwarnath, Malangawa, Simraungadh, Gadhimai, Birgunj in Nepal, and Betiah, Kushinagar, Siddharthanagar, and Gorakhpur in India. The gifts are scheduled to be handed over to the Shreeram Janmabhumi Rammandir Trust in Ayodhya on January 6.

This tradition of sending offerings is expected to enhance cultural ties between Nepal and India, reflecting the marriage culture dating back to the Treta yug (epoch) in this region, highlighted Manoj Kumar Saha, Mayor of Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City and Patron of the Bharyatra Main Programme Committee. The associate Mahanta also expressed the belief that this ritual will deepen relations between Nepal and India and contribute to promoting tourism in Nepal globally.

Preceding this gesture, holy water was sent to Ayodhya for sprinkling during the consecration ritual as part of the Ram Temple inauguration. The holy water, collected from various rivers in Nepal under the leadership of the World Hindu Council Nepal, and two large boulders ('shila') lifted from the bank of the Kaligandaki River in Nepal, were dispatched to Ayodhya last year following the initiation of the Ram Temple's construction.