Vivah Panchami
Vivah Panchami is a popular Hindu festival that
commemorates the weddings of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. It is celebrated on
the ‘Panchami’ (5th day) of the Shukla Paksha (the waxing phase of moon) during
the month of ‘Margashirsha’ in the Hindu calendar. This corresponds to the
month of November-December in the Gregorian calendar. In the Hindu religion,
this day is considered to be very auspicious as it marks the ceremonial
marriage anniversary of Rama and Sita. Just like any Hindu wedding, the
celebrations and festivals begin several days in advance.
The celebrations of Vivah Panchami
are very notable in Lord Rama temples in different parts of India, particularly
in Mithilanchal region and some parts of North India. The day also holds
immense significance at Janakpur, in Nepal as it was believed that the ceremony
was held here itself. Thousands of pilgrims from Indian and other parts of the
world come to witness this grand celebration.
Significance :
In the Ramayana and other Hindu scriptures, the day of Vivah
Panchami is considered to be very significant and sacred. It is stated that
Shri Ram, the eldest son of King Dashrath of Ayodhya is an incarnation of Lord
Vishnu. On the Panchami of the Hindu month of ‘Margashira’, Lord Rama visited Janakpur,
the birth place of Goddess Sita. He broke the ‘dhanush’ (bow) of Lord Shiva in
the Swayamvara and was married to Princess Sita. In order to immortalize this
divine wedding ceremony, devotees have then been celebrating the wedding of
Lord Rama and Devi Sita on Vivah Panchami every year.
The observance of Vivah Panchami also highlights the friendly
relations and bonding between India and Nepal that has been cherished for
centuries. Janakpur is a very spiritual and historical city of Nepal and
thousands of Indians visit this birth place of Goddess Sita every year to
observe the festival of Vivah Panchami.
Celebrations :
The day of Vivah Panchami is
celebrated with great fervour in Ayodhya, the birth place of Shri Ram. On this
auspicious day all the temples are brightly lit with lamps. The celebrations
involve the enactment of this divine wedding ceremony. During the day a grand
procession leaves from one temple to another and ends with the magnificent
wedding ceremony in the evening. The idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sati are
magnificently adorned with clothes and jewelry to make them look like
bridegroom and bride respectively. The entire event is popularly known as ‘Ram
Vivah Utsav’. All through the day devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama are
sung by devotees. Besides the festivities at the temples, several stage shows
and cultural programmes are also organized on this occasion. Ramleela, a stage
performance that depicts the life of Lord Rama and Devi Sita is also observed
in many regions. People from different parts of the country come here to
participate in the celebrations.
At Janakpur particularly the
celebrations are observed with great fanfare. Special rituals and pujas are
held across temples including the renowned ‘Dashrath’, ‘Ram’ and ‘Janki’
temples. Here the celebrations continue for a period of 7 days and devotees
observe all the rituals with immense zeal and dedication. Thousands of devotees
visit these temples to seek the divine blessings for leading a happy family
life. As a part of the rituals, devotees on the day of Vivah Panchami take a
holy bath in renowned lakes of Mithilanchal like ‘Dhanushsagar’, ‘Gangasagar’
and ‘Argaza Pond’.
2016 Date : 4th December, Sunday.
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