PHULHER - GIRIJA MATA SHRINE 

The legendary account of this glorious temple take us back to the times of Sri Rama and Sita before they were united in wedlock Its hoary antiquity is heightened by the divinity pervading the whole region doe to association with the incarnated holy personages. According to legend, Sita during her maiden hood was a regular visitor to this spot to offer prayers to Girija mata, enshrined a this temple. Taking bath in the pond nearby, she used to collect fragrant flowers to making them into garlands for offering to the august deity It so coincided that Sri Rama also visited one day not by intent but by accident. When the bashful eyes of coy girl Sita met the youthful sublime eyes of Sri Rama. Manmatha's work began and consummated in marriage leading to the daivakarya of destruction of that ruthless demon Ravana for the establishment of dharma.

The place thus sanctified is nearby Janakpur, the capital of Janaka Maharaja. Moreover the Viswamitra's ashram the scene of action of boy Rama's matchless heroism displayed in protecting the great gaga lies at the present Besual village only six kilometres off the Girija Mata's temple. That august temple receiving due renovation front time to time since then is attracting devout the is its in steady streams round the year. It is a single chamber shrine with garbha griha of modest size and a verandha in its fore. The granite icon of Giriia Devi is about two feet in height and is installed on a high dins To her right side there is the marble image of Janaki too. The garbha griha houses some more worshipful deities such as Vinayaka, Kali, Durga, Vishnu, Siva etc., but they were installed later. There exists still the sacred pond used by Sita for her bath and is lying to the right side of the temple. Regular worship is offered by the hereditary Vaishnava priests.

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