Vivah Panchami: Celebrating the divine marriage of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita

Mumbai: Vivah Panchami is considered to be a sacred festival among the Hindus. Every year it is celebrated to mark the marital union of King of Ayodhya, Lord Ram and princess of Janakpur, Goddess Sita.

As per the Hindu calendar, Vivah Panchami also known as Ram Vivah Utsav falls on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksh in the Margashirsha month i.e. November-December. This year Vivah Panchami falls on Sunday 4th December.

People across all over India especially in northern parts and in Nepal (Princess Sita was born in Mithilanchal region of Nepal) celebrate Vivah Panchami with great pomp.

The auspicious wedding ceremony is enacted with the idols of Lord Ram and Sita. Devotees in huge numbers gather in Ayodhaya, birthplace of Sri Ram to participate in the wedding procession. The baraat is taken all the way to Janakpur, where the marriage ceremony is conducted according to the Hindu rituals. “Hari Anant, Hari Katha Anant, Mangal Bhawan Amangal Hari” is enchanted by the devotees in the baraat.

The procession is followed by taking a dip in holy lakes of Mithilanchal- Gangasagar, Dhanushsagar and Argaza. The people gathered there seek blessings from the married idols for a happy married life.

According to the Hindu folklore, sage Vishwamitra requested King Dashrath of Ayodhya to send Lord Ram and brother Laxman to save him and his followers from demons. After killing the demons Vishwamitra took Sri Ram and Laxman to Janakpur, where Sita’s swayamvar was taking place.

Lord Ram was successful in breaking the sacred bow of Lord Shiva. And as per the condition, Ram and Sita were married in Janakpur (now India-Nepal borer). Since then the followers of Sri Ram have been celebrating the holy marriage every year.