__NOTOC__ Duhabi is a Village Development Committee in Dhanusa District in the Janakpur Zone of south-eastern

Nepal Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...

. At the time of the

1991 Nepal census The 1991 Nepal census was a widespread national census conducted by the Nepal Central Bureau of Statistics. Working with Nepal's Village Development Committees at a district level, they recorded data from all the main towns and villages of each ...

it had a population of 5,762 persons residing in 990 individual households. Duhabi is an archeological, historical, religious and cultural village situated either sides of indo-Nepal border. The natural environment of the Maithili cultural village includes a river, ponds, mango groove and the historical and archeological sites. It is a natural, cultural, and archeological museum. The word “Duhabi” is derived from the Sanskrit word , which means plant of grass family. It is said that Saint Durbasha meditated for 12 years only eating ‘Durba’ in the same village. So the Gadh lace of meditationgot its name Durbasha Gadh latter got its name Duhabi. Historically the archeological remains and icons tone idolsexcavated in the village resemble with archeological remains of Simraungadh and Rajbiraj this proves a historical linkage of Karnat era in Mithila described by the Chinese travelers Xuan Zang and Zheng He.

Location

The archeological, historical, religious, and cultural village, Duhabi is situated in Mithila. It is 15 km east from the historical, religious and cultural town Janakpur and at similar distance from a small business town Jaynagar (India). Nepal railway passes through the village. The archeological remains sites and the temples are at stone throw distance from the railway station.

Art and Culture

Duhabi is steeped in the rich Mithila culture that extends all the way up to the Northern Bihar state of India. According to legend, Duhabi is believed to have been part of the historical Mithila kingdom, with ties to the palace of

King Janak Janaka is a character who appears in the Hindu epic Ramayana. He is an ancient Hindu king of Videha, which was located in the Mithila region. His name at birth was Sīradhvaja, and he had a brother named Kushadhvaja. His father's name was Hrasv ...

, the father of Goddess

Sita Sita (; ) also called as Janaki and Vaidehi is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic, ''Ramayana''. She is the consort of Rama, the avatar of the god Vishnu, and is regarded as a form of Vishnu's consort, Lakshmi. She ...

. Sita is revered under various names, including Janaki and Mythili. In Duhabi, the Mithila culture thrives, and the village is known for its vibrant Mithila arts and paintings, each carrying historical and religious significance. These artistic creations are primarily the handiwork of local women who skillfully paint colorful and thought-provoking depictions on the walls of their homes. These artworks often feature animals, gods, and goddesses, and are crafted using simple materials such as clays and mud, preserving the traditional essence of Mithila art in the heart of Duhabi. Madhubani Mahavidyas

Festivals

Major religious celebrations include the Hindu festivals

Vivaha Panchami Vivah Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrating the wedding of Rama and Sita in the Janakpurdham which was the capital city of Mithila. It is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Agrahayana month (November ...

Dipawali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali (IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is on ...

, and

Vijayadashami Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu ...

, followed by

Chhath Puja Chhath is an ancient Hinduism, Hindu festival historically native to the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, the States and union territories of India, Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh,West Bengal, Jharkhand, and the Provinces of Nep ...

, which is celebrated six days after

Diwali Diwali (), Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali ( IAST: ''dīpāvalī''), also known as the Festival of Lights, related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious celebration in Indian religions. It is ...

and

Makar Sankranti Makar(a) Sankranti (), also referred to as Uttarayana, Maghi, or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival. Usually falling on the date of January 14 annually, this occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac of Sag ...

Language

The primary language spoken in Mithila is Maithili. It has its own script and is an important part of the region's identity. Maithili literature has a long history and includes poetry, prose, and religious texts.

Cuisine

Main article:

Maithil cuisine Maithil cuisine, also known as Mithila cuisine, is a part of Indian and Nepalese cuisine. It is the traditional cooking style of Maithils residing in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. Maithil cuisine comprises a broad repertoire of rice, w ...

Maithil cuisine is a part of Nepalese cuisine. It is a culinary style which originated in Mithila. Some traditional Maithil dishes are: *

Gujiya Gunjiya, Gughara, Pedakiya, karanji, Kajjikayalu,Somas,Karjikayi is a sweet deep-fried dumpling, native to the Indian subcontinent, made with suji (semolina) or maida (all purpose flour) stuffed with a mixture of sweetened khoa (milk solids; ...

Curd Curd is obtained by coagulating milk in a sequential process called curdling. It can be a final dairy product or the first stage in cheesemaking. The coagulation can be caused by adding rennet or any edible acidic substance such as lemon ...

/ Yoghurt * Machher Jhol * ''Ghughnee'' *

flattened rice Flattened rice is a type of rice dish made from raw, toasted, or parboiled rice grains pounded into flat flakes. They are eaten as is, toasted, fried, or used as ingredients or toppings for other dishes. Depending on their use, they can be crispy, ...

* Vegetable of

Taro Taro () (''Colocasia esculenta)'' is a root vegetable. It is the most widely cultivated species of several plants in the family Araceae that are used as vegetables for their corms, leaves, and petioles. Taro corms are a food staple in Africa ...

Ghugni Ghugni ( bn, ঘুগ্নি, or, ଘୁଗ୍ନି) or ghuguni ( as, ঘুগুনি, or, ଘୁଗୁନି) is a curry made of peas or chickpeas. Different variations of the dish use different types of peas or chickpaes, such as blac ...

* pickles made of fruits and vegetables which are generally mixed with ingredients like salt, spices, and vegetable oils and are set to mature in a moistureless medium. * Tarua of

Coccinia grandis ''Coccinia grandis'', the ivy gourd, also known as scarlet gourd, tindora and kowai fruit, is a tropical vine. It grows primarily in tropical climates and is commonly found in the Indian states, where it forms a part of the local cuisine. ''Coc ...

* Bada * Badee *

Yogurt Yogurt (; , from tr, yoğurt, also spelled yoghurt, yogourt or yoghourt) is a food produced by bacterial Fermentation (food), fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as ''yogurt cultures''. Fermentation of sugars in t ...

* Irhar * Pidukia ( also known as Gujia) which is basically dumplings. * Foxnut payas *

Anarsa Anarsa or Hilsa is an Indian rice-based biscuit. It is commonly associated with the Hindu festival of Diwali in Maharashtra and Bihar, along with other special occasions. Its ingredients include jaggery (unrefined cane sugar), rice, poppy se ...

Bagiya Bagiya (also called Pithha) is a delicacy of the Maithil, Tharu and Dhimal communities of India and Nepal. It is a steamed dumpling that consists of an external covering of rice flour and an inner content of sweet substances such like chaku, ...

Dances

Jhijhiya

Main article: Jhijhiya Jhijhiya is a cultural dance from the

Mithila region Mithila (), also known as Tirhut, Tirabhukti and Mithilanchal is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and by the foothill ...

. Jhijhiya is mostly performed at time of

Dusshera Vijayadashami ( sa, विजयदशमी, Vijayadaśamī, translit-std=IAST), also known as Dussehra, Dasara or Dashain, is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navaratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu ...

, in dedication to Durga Bhairavi, the goddess of victory. While performing jhijhiya, women put lanterns made of clay on their head and they balance it while they dance.

Domkach

Main article: Domkach Domkach is a folk dance performed in Mithila and Bhojpur regions of Madhesh Province. Jat Jatni Bihar

Jat Jatin

Jat Jatin is based on folk songs of Mithila and Tharu community which they perform from Shrawan Purnima to Bhadra Purnima. It is based on the love story of hero jat and heroine Jatin and their lives. Gauna dance The Dance is based in Mithila Tradition and popular in Janakpur region of Nepal. This dance is performed in the religious occasions.

Sites

# Dharohar ocally named archeological sites# Five temples with excavated idols of God and Goddess. # 500 year old banyan tree and many year old peepal trees. # Cultural events and song, music, art traditional musical instruments. # Indo-Nepal border – A small market towns stretched either sides of the border land

References

External links

UN map of the municipalities of Dhanusa District
{{coord, 26, 41, N, 86, 4, E, source:plwiki, display=title Populated places in Dhanusha District