What is "mithila"

Mithila located in Janakpur in the Dhanusa district of Nepal was the capital city of the Videha Kingdom ruled by King Janak. With its name commonly used to refer to the Videha Kingdom itself, as well as to the modern-day territories that fall within the ancient boundaries of Videha ( Mithila (India) and Mithila (Nepal)), The Mithila kingdom existed on the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain, an area which today is spread over more than half of India's Bihar state and parts of adjoining Nepalese Mithila province.

The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both Gautama Buddha and Vardhamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila. It also formed the centre of Indian history during the first millennium, and has contributed to various literary and scriptural works.

The name Mithila is derived after mythical King 'Miti' which in Dhatki language means "Soil". He was supposed to have been created from the body of his father King Nimi. He established the capital of his kingdom at Mithilapuri and hence the region came to be called Mithila. Since he was born out of body of his father, he took the title Janaka. After this, the Kings of Mithila were called Janaka. The best known Janaka was Seeradhwaja, father of Sita. He was 21st Janaka of Mithila. This dynasty was also called Videha Janaka. There were 57 kings in the dynasty of Videha Janaka.

'Mithila ' is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family found in border of Southern and Northern Nepal regionally between the Mithila Region of Nepal in South and foothills of Himalayas that lies in north of Nepal. Geographically it is found in Janakpur Zone where both Mithila and Himalayan foothills lies.

Mithila may refer to:

• Mithila (ancient), a historical city and region, now divided between India and Nepal
  • Mithila (India), Mithila region in India
  • Mithila (Nepal), Mithila region in Nepal
• Mithila Airport, Asphalt airport in Nepal.
• Videha, an ancient kingdom of Nepal, of which Mithila was another name
• Mithila Sharma, Nepalese dancer and actor.
• Mithila painting, or Madhubani art, the traditional painting style of Mithila
• Rafiath Rashid Mithila, a female Bengali model
• Mithila Minority Dental College and Hospital
• Mithila Prasad Tripathi, Sanskrit poet
• Mithila (moth)