Janakpur is the administrative headquaters of Dhanusa District of Janakpur zone. Located 400 Km south-east of Kathmandu, Janakpur has a substantial tourist industry due to its importance as a Hindu pilgrimage destination.It is also home to the only operational railway in Nepal.

Janakpur,historically called Mithila, is the centre of the ancient Maithili Culture which has its own language and script. The most important historical reference to Mithila/Janakpur is in the epic Ramayana.