Vivah Panchami Festival 2024: Date, Rituals, and Spiritual Significance
Vivah Panchami Festival 2024: Date, Rituals, and Spiritual Significance
Vivah Panchami is observed on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha during the month of Agrahayana (Margashirsha) and commemorates the sacred marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. This festival is celebrated with immense reverence in Mithila (Janakpur) and various regions of India and Nepal, symbolizing love, purity, and the spiritual bond between the divine couple.
Vivah Panchami corresponds to the months of November and December in the Gregorian calendar. This year, it is celebrated on December 6th.
This day is of significant religious and cultural importance in Hinduism. Vivah Panchami will be observed on the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha during the Margashirsha Month.
On this significant day, the sunrise is projected to occur at 06:59 am, with sunset expected at 05:36 pm. The moonrise is anticipated at 11:12 am, and the moonset will take place at 10:26 pm. Furthermore, the panchami tithi begins at 12:49 pm on December 5th and continues until 12:08 pm on December 6th.
This festival stands out as one of the most significant celebrations, marked by deep devotion and joy. Vivah Panchami commemorates the wedding anniversary of Lord Shri Ram and Goddess Sita. On this sacred occasion, Lord Rama famously broke Lord Shiva’s bow to unite with Maa Sita. Devotees honor this auspicious day by offering prayers and celebrating with great enthusiasm.
A key aspect of the rituals includes visiting temples and worshiping the divine couple, as devotees engage in various puja ceremonies to seek their blessings.
As per the Ramayana, the esteemed sage Vishwamitra once sought the assistance of King Dashrath of Ayodhya, asking him to send his sons, Ram and Laxman, to rescue him and other sages from the demons who were tormenting them and hindering their yagnas. Lord Ram and Lord Laxman successfully vanquished all the demons.
Following this victory, Vishwamitra took them to Janakpur, where the Swayamvar of King Janak’s daughter was taking place. King Janak had declared that only the one who could break Lord Shiva’s bow would be worthy of marrying his daughter, Goddess Sita. Many kings attempted to break the bow, but none succeeded. Finally, the sage Vishwamitra instructed Lord Ram, the eldest son of King Dashrath and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, to try. He accomplished the feat and won the hand of Goddess Sita. This event is commemorated as Vivah Panchami.
The city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh exuberantly observes this occasion. Vivah Panchami is also honored in temples as the wedding celebration of Goddess Sita and Lord Rama in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. In the cities linked to Sri Rama and Goddess Sita, devotees enthusiastically celebrate this day.
