The train was packed because all the Biharis serving in different places in India were going to enjoy festive days in their villages. For me, it was a new experience because though I had been to Mithilanchal even before but never in this rush time. I was my friend's guest for over a week in a village in Sitamarhi, the birth-place of Sita. Quite close to and rather homely with Nepal, this district town is on the north-western tip of Mithilanchal, often referred to as the cultural capital of the state of Bihar. Maithili is the main language but Bajjika and Bhojpuri are also spoken.
People are fond of fish and makhana, produce of a water plant used in making tasty milky dish.
I agree with the poet because though festivals are celebrated in every part of the world and more lusciously in India, but people of Mithila celebrate from their hearts. Sitamarhi is an important place of this region and apart from this district town where Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, was born there is another important place in vicinity, i.e. Janakpur, where Lord Rama married Sita. Diwali begins in the villages of this area with great festivity. Modernization has changed the way Diwali is celebrated in towns and cities where electric lights have devoured the traditional beauty of the earthen pots and excessive use of crackers and pollution-making fireworks has taken the place of customary norms conducive to socialization. In towns, Diwali is a show of prosperity and Laxmi is the fondest goddess of the people.