Vivaha Panchami marked with much fanfare

By Dharbendra Jha,Janakpurdham, Nov. 26: The seven-day Sita Ram Vivah Panchami festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm in Janakpurdham.

In the Treta Yuga, the marriage of Lord Ram, son of King Dasharatha of Ayodhya, and Mother Sita, daughter of King Janak of Mithila, took place on Shukla Panchami in the month of Mangsir. Every year, this event is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in Janakpurdham.

On the sixth day of the festival, Tuesday afternoon, the engagement (Swayambar) ceremony of Lord Ram and Sita was held at Rang Bhoomi ground in Janakpurdham. 

The ceremony followed processions of Lord Ram, accompanied by musical instruments, from the Ram Temple, and Janaki, accompanied by musical instruments, from the Janaki Temple, to the Rang Bhoomi ground.

After Lord Ram’s palanquin circled Mother Janaki’s palanquin three times, the priests placed garlands around Lord Ram’s neck. During the swayambar, a Nepali Army helicopter circled the Janaki Temple three times and showered flowers.

Believing that the gods and goddesses of the three worlds were present during the Swayambar of Lord Ram and Mother Sita, thousands of devotees from various parts of Nepal and India attended the ceremony.

After the event, both palanquins were paraded around the city. Devotees at every square of Janakpurdham offered flowers to the idols of Lord Ram and Sita.

Following the Swayambar, a marriage ceremony was held at 7 pm on the Janaki Temple premises according to Hindu Vedic traditions, informed Janaki Temple Mahant Ram Tapeshwor Das.

The number of devotees has increased in Janakpurdham with more pilgrims arriving from different parts of Nepal and India. Many devotees have stayed in monasteries, temples, dharmashalas, and hotels throughout the city. Songs celebrating the marriage of Ram and Sita echoed through the streets and homes of Janakpurdham.

Janakpurdham Sub-metropolitan City and Janaki Temple have urged residents to celebrate Diwali on the night of Vivah Panchami, informed Mayor Manoj Kumar Sah.

Meanwhile, Dhanusha Chief District Officer Prem Prasad Luitel stated that, in view of the festival, the sale and distribution of meat in the city’s shops has been banned. Over 1,700 police personnel, including Nepal Police and Armed Police, have been deployed in various parts of the city to ensure public safety.

The Madhes Province Government has declared today a public holiday to mark Vivah Panchami.