Vivah Panchami

Vivah Panchami is a festival celebrated with immense faith and devotion in the Hindu tradition. This day commemorates the marriage of Lord Ram and Mother Sita. Spiritually, this day symbolizes love, truth, righteousness (Dharma), and duty. It holds special religious and cultural significance in the Mithila region of Nepal, particularly in Janakpurdham.

Date and Significance

Vivah Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Mārgaśīrṣa month. According to Hindu belief, this day is the symbol of the divine union of Ram, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Sita, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. It is a religious belief that people who get married on this day receive the blessing of love, devotion, and balance in their married life.

The Story

According to the Ramayana, King Janak of Mithila sought a brave hero who could break the Shiv Dhanush (Shiva’s bow) for Sita’s marriage. During the bow ceremony (Dhanush Yajna), Lord Ram effortlessly broke the Shiva Dhanush. Following this, King Janak, with great joy, arranged the marriage of Goddess Sita to Ram. The tradition of celebrating this day as Vivah Panchami began thereafter.

Vivahotsav in Janakpurdham

Vivah Panchami is celebrated grandly in Janakpurdham. A five-day long Ram-Janaki Vivahotsav (marriage festival) is organized here.

• Ram Barat: The Barat, symbolically brought from Ayodhya, is welcomed in Mithila.
• Vivah Mandap: The Janaki Temple and the venue for the bride and groom’s marriage are decorated with flowers and lights.
• Religious Pageants and Programs: Bhajan-Kirtan, dancing, recitation of the Ramayana, and the display of religious tableaux make Janakpur an atmosphere of devotion.
• Cultural Participation: The presence of thousands of pilgrims and saints/ascetics from Nepal and India makes this festival even more magnificent.

On this day, Janakpur resembles the royal court of Mithila. The city is bright, colorful, and filled with reverence. Vivah Panchami is an extremely important festival religiously, culturally, and socially. It is not just a comme7moration but a living message of love and Dharma. The divine union of Lord Ram and Sita inspires everyone to follow the path of truth, righteousness, and love. The big celebration in Janakpurdham shows off Nepal’s cultural pride.