This enormous white temple in the center of Janakpur, Nepal, commemorates the spot where Sita (also known as Janaki or Maithili) was born. In 1657, a golden statue was miraculously found marking the location. According to ancient myth, King Janaka found the baby Sita alone in a field, presumably the daughter of the earth goddess Bhumi. Raised as his own, Sita later became the wife of Lord Rama (an avatar of Vishnu), and her story is chronicled in the Hindu holy book Ramayama, inevitably making her temple an important pilgrimage…
