Janakpur Women’s Development Centre

The Terai & Mahabharat Range


At this art studio in the village of Kuwa, about 1km south of Murali Chowk, around 40 Maithili women produce paper paintings, papier-mâché boxes and mirrors, screen-printed fabrics and hand-thrown ceramics. The bright colours and animated imagery are both unique and delightful, and the money raised goes directly towards improving the lives of rural women.

You can meet the artisans and buy directly from the centre. It’s also worth picking up a copy of the Master Artists of Janakpur, which provides an excellent insight into the lives of several of the artists and how they’ve benefited from the JWDC. A rickshaw from Janakpur to the centre will cost around Rs 150 to Rs 200.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Terai & Mahabharat Range attractions

1. Ram Mandir & Danush Sagar

1.4 MILES

Hidden away in a stone courtyard southeast of the Janaki Mandir, the Ram Mandir is the oldest temple in Janakpur (1782) and built in the classic tiered…

2. Janaki Mandir

1.55 MILES

At the heart of Janakpur lies the marble Janaki Mandir, one of the grander pieces of architecture in Nepal, and the city's must-see sight. Built in…

3. Ram Sita Bibaha Mandap

1.61 MILES

This rather bizarre temple next to the Janaki Mandir marks the spot where Rama and Sita were married. The temple is topped by a modernist interpretation…