Mithila, the modern Tirhoot was a renowned kingdom in ancient India and mentioned in the Puranas. It existed in the eastern Gangetic plains in areas which are today spread over more than half of Bihar state of India. Mithila was the capital of Videha Kingdom as per epic Ramayana. Mithila is believed to be the country of Videha and also the Kosala Kingdom. it is believed that descendants of Ikshvaku reigned Mithila for a long period.

The legends of Mithila spread over many centuries. Both Gautama Buddha and Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila.

The most prominent reference of Mithila is in the Hindu epic, the Ramayana where Lord Rama's wife Sita is said to have been the princess of the land. She was the daughter of King Janaka, who ruled Mithila from Janakpur.

Mithila is also the name of a style of Hindu art created in the Mithila area. Mithila Paintings started as a custom geometric and symbolic decoration of households done by women, mainly before a marriage the paintings. The paintings were done on the walls and floors of a house, and not known to many outside the region. After paper was brought to the area, women began to sell their artwork and expand their subjects to popular and local Hindu deities as well as to the depiction of everyday events.

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