Mithila - a brief introduction
The Mithila region is situated in the northern plain of Ganges. Main places in this region are Darbhanga, Madhubani, Jhanjharpur, Samastipur, Madhepura, Begusarai, Saharsa, Sitamarhi, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Purbi Champaran, Paschim Champaran, Munger, Bhagalpur and Janakpur.
This Google Map provide detailed map of Mithilanchal. Click on the map tabs to view different type of maps.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mithila (Sanskrit: मिथिला, mithilā) was a kingdom in
ancient India. It existed in the eastern
Gangetic plains in areas which is today spread over more than half of
Bihar state of
India, and parts
of adjoining Nepal.
Mithila was the capital of
Videha Kingdom as per epic Ramayana. This city is identified as modern day
Janakpur in
Dhanusa district of Nepal. The country of Videha is sometimes referred as
Mithila though it was the capital city, much the same way as
Kosala Kingdom is referred as Ayodhya though Ayodhya was the capital of Kosala
kingdom.
According to D.D. Kosāmbi, Śatpath Brāhmana tells that Māthava Videgha, led by
his priest Gotama Rahugana, was the first king who crossed Sadānirā (supposed to
be Gandaka) and founded a kingdom, where the people named videhas lived at the
time of composition of Śatpath Brāhmana. Gotama Rahugana was a vedic rishi who
composed many hymns of the first mandala of Rgveda. Most notable Rgvedic hymns
of Gotama Rahugana are those which praise Sva-rājya, which was indisputably the
State of Videgha which later became Videha due to phonetic change. Māthava
Videgha, therefore, must belong to the Rgvedic period and must have preceded the
period of Śatpath Brāhmana by a considerable gap. Rgveda also mentions hymns by
Kāśirāja Pratardana in tenth mandala. Hence, Mithilā and Kāśhi formed part of
the region in which Rgvedic peoples lived. Descendandants of Gotama Rahugana
were called Gautama. One such sage lived near Ahilya-sthāna during the age of
Rāmāyana.
The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both
Gautama Buddha and Vardamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila. It also
formed the center of Indian history during the first millennium, and has
contributed to various literary and scriptural works.
Maithili is the language spoken in Mithila. Linguists
consider Maithili to be an Eastern Indic language, and thus a
different language from Hindi, which is Central Indic. Maithili
has previously been considered a dialect of both
Hindi and
Bengali. In fact Maithili
is now a part of the Eighth Schedule of Indian official languages.
The most important reference to Mithila is in the
Hindu epic,
Ramayana
where Lord Rama's
wife Sita is said
to have been the princess of the land, born to King
Janaka, who
ruled Mithila from Janakpur.
Other famous kings of Mithila during ancient period are King Bhanumath,
Satghumanya, Suchi, Urjnama, Satdhwya, Kriti, Anjan, Arisnami, Srutayu, Supasyu,
Suryasu, Srinjay, Sourmabi, Anena, Bhimrath, Satyarath, Upangu, Upgupt, Swagat,
Snanand, Subrachya, Supraswa, Subhasn, Suchurut, Susurath, Jay, Vijay, Critu,
Suny, Vith Habya, Dwati, Bahulaswa, Kriti Tirtiya.1
Mithila is also the name of a style of
Hindu art
created in the Mithila area. It started as ritual geometric and symbolic
decorations of households done by women, especially before a
marriage, on the walls
and floors of a house, and not known to many outside the region. After paper was
brought to the area, women began to sell their artwork and expand their subjects
to popular and local Hindu deities as well as to the depiction of
everyday events. Ganga Devi is perhaps the most
famous Mithila artist; she illustrated traditional ritual Mithila decorations,
depictions of popular deities, scenes from the
Ramayana,
and events in her own life.
Geography and climate
The Mithila region is situated in the northern plain of Ganges. Main places in
this region are Darbhanga,
Madhubani,
Jhanjharpur, Samastipur,
Madhepura,
Begusarai,
Saharsa,
Sitamarhi,
Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Purbi Champaran,
Paschim Champaran,
Munger,
Bhagalpur
and Janakpur. Janakpur is now in Nepal's region. The
climate in this region is mainly dry and cool. In summers the temperature
wanders around the 35 to 45 degree Celsius range and in winter it is 5 to 15
degrees Celsius. This area is very near to the mean sea level hence the winter
becomes uncomfortable. The months of February to March and then October to
November are the best ones to roam around.
The soil is suited for agriculture, which is the region's main economic stake.
Rainfall is sufficient for agriculture.
This area is flooded every year causing terrific problem in the lives of people
and loss of billions of rupees. Dams on various rivers (Kosi, Ganga, etc.) are
the urgent need. But others fear that large dams in an earthquake-prone zones
will be more disastrous than annual floods.
Economy
Agriculture is the main economic stake of the region. Main crops are
paddy,
wheat,
pulses, moong,
urad,
arhar, jute
(with a recent decline in its production), and
maize. These
days, with agriculture not able to compete with other parts of the country, it's
becoming one of the most backward regions. Flood destroys enormous amounts of
crop every year. Due to absence of Industries, weak educational infrastructure
and criminalized politics, the majority of youth has to relocate for education
and earnings. At the bright side of this relocation, it has made them key
players in leading sectors and locations of India.
Mithla Painting is now gaining market share back. Now, government is also
supporting this as national heritage.
People and life
This part of the land is rich with culture and traditions. People here respect
their parents and believe in peaceful life. With a strong belief in
God, they generally
live in larger families. Main cultural extravaganza happens during
marriages and
festivals;
Holi,
Diwali,
Durga Puja,
Chhathand
Shivratri, Madhushravni (mainly
concerned with newly married couples) are the most celebrated ones.
A small film industry also exists. Of the many movies produced in Mailthili,
"Sasta Jingi Mahag Senoor", "Mamta Gabe Geet" is perhaps the best known.
Natives of this region are called Maithil.
Mundan is very popular tradition in Mithila. In
mundan, the shaving of child's hair is done for the first
time in his life. This is accompanied with bhoj(party) and celebration.
Sometimes, it become very extravagant.
The most unusual and important custom in Mithla is its Marriage
tradition. It include four days marriage chautrthi, Barsait, Madhushravni,
Kojagara, and finally duragman (First time home coming of bride). It is
traditionally fixed using complex genealogical tables called Panchang among
Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas.
The Story of Gonu Jha, is most favorite among grandmother stories
to their grandchildren. Maithili is so sweet and soft to listen and speak that
it's tough to guess hot discussions among them.
Kings of Mithila