Mithilanchal: A Cultural Wonderland of Bihar

Abstract

Mithilanchal is a cultural wonderland tucked cozily in the northern plains of Bihar. It lies east of the River Gandak and South of the Nepal Himalayas. It is bordered by River Mahananda in the east and River Ganga to its South.  One may admire it in the form of Madhubani paintings or relish it while snacking makhanas or fox nuts. Its literary genius may be cherished in the poems penned by the medieval poet Vidyapati, who has written love lyrics for the divine duo of Radha and Krishna. Vidyapati was also a devout Shivabhakt and he has written poems immersed in the bhakti of Lord Shiva.  Very recently, Mithilanchal was in the news for the laying of the foundation stone of the Punaura Dham temple for Sita, the consort of Rama. This is, however, just scratching the surface. Mithilanchal has its own genre de vie with its distinct culture, its Maithili language, its religious ardour, its festivals, cuisines, rituals and customs, and of course the famous Madhubani paintings.  It bravely keeps alive a great tradition of colour, vigour and vibrancy, even though it is ravaged by the flooding of its rivers particularly, Kosi, known as the sorrow of Bihar. However, the rivers do have their advantage too. They bring a thick layer of new alluvium and make the plains very fertile. There is plenty of agricultural activity and the festivities revolve around the agrarian calendar.

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