Rampur to host sacred Ram Sita Vivah Mahotsav

By Our Correspondent,Palpa, Nov. 25: Ram Sita Vivah Mahotsav is being held on Tuesday at Sita Kunda, the sacred religious site in Rampur Municipality-3 of Palpa.

Rampur Municipality is organising the wedding festival to highlight the importance of religious sites within the municipality that are associated with Lord Ram and Sita.

According to various scriptures, the name Rampur was given based on the religious belief that Lord Ram wandered in the Rampur region during his exile in the Treta Yuga.

 Mayor Raman Bahadur Thapa said that preparations have been made to celebrate the wedding festival both to provide information about the religious and cultural significance of the area and to promote these religious sites.

A ceremonial wedding procession will travel from Ramghat of Ward No. 5 to Sita Kunda, and the locals and stakeholders of Ward Nos 3 and 4 will welcome it as representatives of the bride’s side.

 Religious scholar Sandip Rana said that Sita Kunda has been mentioned in the Skanda Purana, Ananda Ramayana, and even in Kalidasa’s Meghaduta.

Ward Chair of Rampur-5, Durga Prasad Pokharel, said that preparations are underway to take cultural displays representing more than 13 ethnic communities within Rampur Municipality to Sita Kunda, accompanied by traditional Panche Baja music.

Chairperson of the Sita Kunda Temple Management Committee, Tirtha Bahadur Thapa, said that the necessary arrangements have been completed to welcome the wedding procession and devotees arriving at the temple.

According to priest Hari Prasad Khanal, after a morning Yagya at Ramghat, a symbolic groom made of kush will depart at 9 am following a Chaurasi Puja.

The procession will receive blessings from senior citizens, take Sagoon (auspicious offerings) from the Ram Temple, and then proceed on foot toward Sita Kunda along with a group of monks, young priests (Batuks), and scholars.

According to Vedic rituals, after the bride’s side welcomes the procession at Sita Kunda, the wedding ceremony will be performed in the Kunda.