To celebrate and honor the divine wedding of Lord Rama and Sita, every year, devotees of Shri Ram celebrate the Vivah Panchami on the panchami tithi, or the fifth day of the Hindu calendar month Margashirsha, also called Agrahayana. It was on this day that Lord Ram visited Janakpur, Sita’s birthplace, and broke Lord Shiva’s ‘Dhanush’ in the Swayamvara and married Princess Sita. Vivah Panchami aligns with November – December in the Gregorian calendar. This year, Vivah Panchami falls on the 6th of December.
On this auspicious day, the sunrise is anticipated to be at 06:59 am, while the sunset is expected at 05:36 pm, and the moonrise is foretold to be at 11:12 am and the moonset at 10:26 pm. Additionally, the panchami tithi commences at 12:49 pm on December 5th and extends till 12:08 pm the following day.
Vivah Panchami celebrations are held in great grandeur in the temples of Lord Ram around the nation, especially in the Mithilanchal region, parts of north India, and Janakpur in Nepal, where the ceremony is believed to have been held. Devotees from different parts of the world gather at these places to witness the grand celebrations of Vivah Panchami.
Like all other Hindu weddings, Vivah Panchami is celebrated several days in advance. Before the celebrations begin, all the temples of Shri Ram are beautifully decorated with lamps, and the idols of Lord Ram and Sita are adorned magnificently with beautiful clothes and jewelry, resembling a bride and groom. On the day, grand processions are held from one temple to another, which ends with a ceremonial wedding in the evening. The events are popularly known as Ram Vivah Utsav.
On this day, several stage performances and cultural programs depicting the lives of Lord Ram and Devi Sita are held. These performances are known as Ramleela. At Janakpur, celebrations last for seven days, during which thousands of devotees visit the temples of Dashrat, Ram, and Janki to seek blessings for leading a happy family life.
The auspiciousness of the divine day bestows a happy and prosperous life to all the devotees. Happy Vivah Panchami!
Ram Sita Vivah Story
Maharishi Vishwamitra approached King Dasharath to ask him to allow Ram to guard his Yagna. King Dasharath unwillingly agreed with the wise Vishvamitra and permitted Prince Ram and Lakshman to go with the sage. Vishvamitra finished his Yagna successfully and returned with Ram and Laxman to Mithila. The ruler Janak of Mithila organised Princess Sita’s Swayamvar.
The task of the Shiva Dhanusha Swayamvar was for everyone to raise and string a huge bow that lay on the ground. However, the participants couldn’t raise this heavy and enormous bow. Sage Vishwamitra then asked Ram, who had already strung the bow, to split it into two. King Janak was elated and got Princess Sita married to Lord Ram.
Ram Sita’s marriage is celebrated even today with great vigour, as her marriage is a sign of courage, commitment, duties and love.
Marriage Is Not To Be Performed On Vivah Panchami Day
While Vivah Panchmi has untold meaning in the Hindu world, it is surprising that marriages aren’t arranged today. This is regarded very highly and followed judiciously in Mithilanchal and Nepal since it has over the years been the practice of not arranging marriages on this day.
People believe that since Mata Sita’s marital life was extremely sorrowful, they should not get married on Panchami day. After 14 years of exile Lord Shri Rama sacrificed pregnant Mata Sita leaving her with no opportunity to become a queen, and hence marriages are not arranged on theVivah Panchami day. There is a misconception among the people today that the married life of a person becomes as painful as Mata Sita if a marriage ceremony takes place that day.
Ram Vivah Panchami Celebrations
– Devotees bathe and wear clean and fresh clothes in the morning.
– Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita’s Sthapana of idols is made.
– Yellow Robes are offered to Bhagwan Ram and Red clothes are offered to Mata Sita.
– Either the priest or the family members read from the sacred Baal-Kand script, the ‘Vivah Prasang.’
– The story of the marriage of Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita is thought to bring happiness and blessings.
– The Ramcharitmana recitation on this day grants a happy and prosperous family life.
– Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita’s worship will help you get rid of all the differences among the family members.
– Devotees sing holy mantras in the praises of the deities and sing devotional and religious songs (bhajans).
– The Vivah Panchami takes place in different locations in an artistic production called ‘Ramleela.’
– After the priest completes the Vivah Panchami Puja, the celebrations come to an end with the offering of a final Aarti and Bhog Prasad.
Benefits of Vivah Panchami
– If any obstacles arise during marital life, puja on the day of Vivah Panchami will help eradicate them all.
– Each individual is blessed by the most wanted fruit of his/her life.
– Any problem arising in a person’s married life can be resolved through worship on this day.
– Worshipping of the Joint Form of Lord Shri Ram and Mata Sita helps get both their blessings and get rid of all hurdles in an individual’s marriage.
– Moreover, during the wedding affair of the idols, reciting Bala Kanda’s Path holds great importance.
– Also, reciting the Ramcharitmanas leads to happy family life.
Vivah Panchami: Honoring divine wedding of Lord Rama and Sita
