Region
Mithila
Base in Darbhanga (2‑3 nights); day‑trip to Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi and Bhagalpur.
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Key facts · India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Currency
- Indian rupee (INR, ₹)
- Language
- Hindi and English at national level
- Plugs
- C · D · M · 230 V
- Time zone
- UTC+5:30 all year
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Mithila is the northern region of Bihar, bounded by the Himalayas, the Mahananda River, the Ganges and the Gandak River. It is the historic heart of the Maithili language and the birthplace of Madhubani painting. The region's cuisine is built around fish (maachh), makhana and paan. Base yourself in Darbhanga, the former capital of the Darbhanga Raj, and explore the rest as day trips.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- DarbhangaCity guide
Former capital of the Darbhanga Raj; historic palaces and temples.
Best Oct–Mar
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Day trip
- MuzaffarpurCity guide
Known for lychee orchards and the historic Sitakund Palace.
Best Oct–Mar
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Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- Darbhanga 3, day‑trip to Madhubani and Muzaffarpur
- 5 nights
- Darbhanga 3 + day‑trips to Sitamarhi and Bhagalpur
- Road conditions vary; expect delays during monsoon (July‑September).
- Train tickets on IRCTC should be booked at least a month in advance for peak season (Oct‑Mar).
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madhubani | Darbhanga | 45 min | unknown | Visit art workshops; check opening hours of galleries. |
| Muzaffarpur | Darbhanga | 75 min | unknown | Lychee season (May–Jul) is a highlight. |
| Sitamarhi | Darbhanga | 60 min | unknown | Temple visits; check local festivals. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding is not widely available in Mithila; check with your hotel in Darbhanga for local services.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darbhanga | go | go | go | ok | × | × | × | × | × | go | go | go |
| Madhubani | go | go | go | ok | × | × | × | × | × | go | go | go |
| Muzaffarpur | go | go | go | × | × | × | ok | ok | ok | go | go | go |
| Sitamarhi | go | go | go | ok | × | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | go |
| Bhagalpur | go | go | go | × | × | × | × | ok | ok | go | go | go |
| India (country-wide) | go | go | go | ok | × | ok | ok | ok | ok | go | ok | go |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Climate strip
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mithila plainsentire region | best | best | best | ok | hot | hot | wet | wet | wet | best | best | best |
- Mithila plains
- Winter (Oct‑Mar) is dry and cool (10‑20 °C (68 °F)). Summer (Apr‑Jun) exceeds 35 °C (95 °F); monsoon (Jul‑Sep) brings heavy rain.Winter (Oct‑Mar) is dry and cool (10‑68 °F (20 °C)). Summer (Apr‑Jun) exceeds 95 °F (35 °C); monsoon (Jul‑Sep) brings heavy rain.
Best months are October to March; avoid the monsoon and extreme summer heat.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patna Railway Station | Darbhanga | Indian Railways – express or passenger train | ~3 h door‑to‑door | Multiple daily services; book in advance on IRCTC. |
| Gaya Airport (Gaya) | Darbhanga | Domestic flight to Patna + train | check | No direct flights to Darbhanga; Patna is the nearest major airport. |
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next
Regional food
| Dish | Where | Timing / trap |
|---|---|---|
| Maachh (fish) | Throughout Mithila | The most popular food; used as a main dish on any occasion. |
| Makhana (prickly water lily seeds) | Throughout Mithila | Often roasted or used in curries. |
| Paan (betel leaf) | Throughout Mithila | Important refreshment item on every occasion. |
| Chuda, dahi and chini | Throughout Mithila | A simple breakfast or snack combination. |
Go next
Visit Bihar
plannedExplore the wider state’s attractions
Travel to India
Plan a broader Indian itinerary
Muzaffarpur travel guide
Day‑trip destination
Darbhanga guide
plannedBase city details
Visit Bhagalpur
Silk and Angika culture
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Day trips
- 3, 45 min to 1 h 15
- Nights suggested
- 3–5 nights
- Ways in
- 2 listed
- Best months
- Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
Going in…
Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.
Pick a month.
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
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Sources
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