Sitamarhi is an Indian city in the Mithila region of Bihar. It is the district headquarters of the Sitamarhi districtinTirhut Division.[4] The city was named in honour of the goddess Sita, who was born in Sitamarhi in Hindu mythology.[5]
In 1875, a subdivision for Sitamarhi was created within the Muzaffarpur district.[6] Sitamarhi was detached from Muzaffarpur and made a separate district on December 11, 1972.[7] The district headquarters is located in Dumra, five kilometres (3 mi) south of Sitamarhi's main temple.[8]
Sitamarhi dates back to the time of the Ramayana epic, which describes it as the place where King Janaka found the goddess Sita.[10]
A temple dedicated to Sita is located at Punaura Dham Sitamarhi.[11] A rock-cut sanctuary from the Mauryan period is also found near Sitamarhi.[12]
Several cultural events occur annually in Sitamarhi: Dumra hosts festivities for Rama Navami each spring; a ceremony commemorating the marriage of Ram and Sita happens every year in Janaki Sthan;[13] and the winter festival of Sama Chakeva celebrates brother-sister relationships.[14][15]
As of the 2011 Census, Sitamarhi District has a total population of around 106,093. There are around 56,693 males and 49,400 females. 69,507 people are literate, including 39,537 males and 29,070 females. The average literacy rate is 52.04% in total, 60.64% for males, and 42.41% for females. The sex ratio is 899, and the child sex ratio is 872.[16]
Sitamarhi is a part of the Tirhut Division. Currently, Sitamarhi consists of three sub-divisions and seventeen blocks. Its headquarters are located at Dumra, five kilometers south of Sitamarhi. The District Magistrate is the top-most official of revenue and civil administration and is assisted by ADM[definition needed][18] and other district officers.
The district has been divided into three subdivisions: Sadar, Pupri, and Belsand. Each is headed by sub-divisional officers either from the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) or BAS (Bihar Administrative Service). Sub-divisional officers are under the direct authority of the District Magistrate. Subdivisions are divided into 17 development blocks where BDOs (Block Development Officers) are charged with carrying out development and welfare projects.[19] Sitamarhi district has 845 revenue villages. The district's judicial system is headed by the District and Sessions Judge, who is in turn assisted by other Judges and Munsiff magistrates posted at district and sub-division levels.[20]
The nearest airport to Sitamarhi is the Darbhanga Airport, about 82 kilometres (51 mi) away.[24]
Sitamarhi is connected to cities in and around Bihar by state-owned transport services. Many private buses (both AC and non-AC[definition needed]) operate between Sitamarhi and Patna.[25]
^Sitamarhi, Encyclopedia Britannica (2014), Quote: "A large Ramanavami fair, celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, is held in spring with a considerable trade in pottery, spices, brassware, and cotton cloth. A cattle fair held in Sitamarhi is the largest in Bihar state. The town is sacred as the birthplace of the goddess Sita (also called Janaki), the wife of Lord Ram."
