26 Nov Vivaha Panchami: Celebrating the divine marriage between Ram and Sita

Vivaha Panchami, observed on the fifth day of the Shukla paksha or waxing phase of moon in the Margashirsha month (November– December) is a Hindu festival celebrating the marriage of Rama and Sita. The day is observed with wedding celebrations of Sita and Rama in temples and sacred places associated with Sri Rama, especially in the Mithila region of Nepal and North India.

The day is of great importance at Janakpur in Nepal, believed to be the birthplace of Sita and where she and Lord Rama were married.

Janaki Mandir

In the southwest corner of Janaki Mandir is the Vivah Mandap, which has been built at the site where the holy marriage of Ram and Sita is said to have been taken place.

Vivaha Panchami is also celebrated with much grandeur in Ayodhya, the birth place of Lord Ram. Thousands of lamps are lit to commemorate the wedding ceremony and a huge wedding procession passes through from one temple to another to mark the divine marriage celebrations.

Hail to the divine couple!

This year, Vivaha Panchami also happens to coincide with Thanksgiving.