Mithila painting began as wall art: women decorated the mud walls of their homes with fish, elephants, peacocks, the sun and moon, and scenes of Krishna and of Sita and Rama, especially for weddings. The Janakpur Women's Development Centre was founded in the early 1990s to give women an income from the tradition, and today artists work on paper, cloth and ceramics in a set of painted buildings in Kuwa village.
You can walk through the studios, watch artists lay down outlines in black and fill them with bright reds, yellows and greens, and ask about the symbols. Fish stand for fertility, paired birds for a happy marriage, bamboo groves for family lines. A short visit takes an hour; with time to talk and shop, allow two. Weekday mornings are the best time to see the artists at work.
Small paintings start at about NPR 1,000 and larger pieces run to several thousand; prices are fixed and the money goes to the cooperative. Pieces are light and roll well for flights. Ask before photographing artists, and if you visit around Diwali or Chhath you may also see fresh murals on village houses on the drive out.
Good for
- Couples
- Solo
- Photographers
- Families
Questions travellers ask
What is Mithila painting?
Mithila or Madhubani painting is a folk art of the Maithili-speaking region of Nepal and Bihar, traditionally painted by women on house walls for weddings and festivals. It uses bold black outlines filled with bright colours and repeating motifs such as fish, peacocks, the sun and gods from the Ramayana. Today it is also made on paper and cloth.
Where can I buy genuine Mithila paintings in Janakpur?
The Janakpur Women's Development Centre in Kuwa sells directly from its artists at fixed prices, which is the fairest option. Shops around the Janaki Mandir also sell paintings, often cheaper prints or quick copies. Check for hand-painted brushwork and signatures if you want an original.
How far is the Mithila art centre from the Janaki Mandir?
About 2 km, or 10 minutes by e-rickshaw or car. It fits easily between morning darshan and lunch. We include it in most of our Janakpur itineraries, and the centre is closed on some public holidays, so we confirm opening before the visit.
