The annual Hindu festival is marked in Nepal and India commemorating the wedding of Ram and Sita, the protagonists in the myth of Ramayan, a Holy scripture.
According to Hindu religious belief, Lord Shri Ram and Sita were married on the day of Vivah Panchami, and Goswami Shri Tulsi Das completed the Awadhi version of Ramayana. It is believed that worshipping Lord Shri Ram and Devi Janaki on the day of Vivah Panchami and chanting Siddha Chaupayis of Shri Ramcharitmanas composed by Tulsidas Ji, brings fruitful results.
Following decades-old tradition, a procession takes place in Janakpurdham, the capital of Madhesh Province and the birthplace of Sita, from Ayodhya of India, the birthplace of Ram.
Vivah Panchami Puja Rituals
- Wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath and wear clean and nice clothes.
- Many people organise a grand puja and invite their relatives and friends to home.
- Place a wooden plant where they place the idol of Lord Rama and Janki Mata.
- The idols of Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita are adorned with beautiful clothes and jewellery.
- Devotees Light a Diya with desi ghee, offer rose flowers garland or flowers, 5 different fruits, meetha paan, homemade sweets (Halwa and Rice Kheer).
- Ram Darbar is also placed along with these two idols.
- Females prepare the satvik food to offer Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
- Tulsi patra is also important to offer as this is the Lord's favourite herb.
- Vivah Prasang, which is mentioned in Ramcharitmanas the sacred Baal-Kand script is recited by the priest.
- After completing the puja, they offer satvik food as a bhog prasad to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
- The devotees chant Rama Stuti and Aarti.
- After completing all the rituals, people do bhajan and kirtan.
- Some people even organise Ramcharitmanas Paath for 24 hours on this auspicious day.
