Janaki temple in Janakpurdham has been crowded since Sunday with devotees queuing up in the courtyard to have worship. Photo: Niranjan Kumar Sah/Rss
Janaki Temple in Janakpur dham has been bustling with devotees since Sunday, especially during the occasion of Vivaha Panchami, a festival commemorating the divine marriage of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. This event, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and the Ramayana, draws pilgrims from Nepal, India, and beyond. It includes rituals, prayers, and cultural celebrations held at the temple and surrounding sacred sites.
Janaki Mandir, also known as Nau Lakha Mandir, is an architectural marvel and a significant religious site in Nepal. It celebrates the life and legacy of Goddess Sita, believed to have been born in Janakpur. During festivals like Bibaha Panchami, the temple is adorned with decorations, and its courtyard fills with vibrant activities and devotees seeking blessings. Adjacent locations such as the Ram Sita Bibaha Mandap, where the divine marriage is symbolically celebrated, are also integral to the festivities.
The Bibaha Panchami festival lasts for five days, culminating on the fifth day, which is the actual anniversary of the divine marriage of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar, specifically during the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon) phase of Margashirsha month, typically falling in late November or early December.
The celebrations in Janakpur involve elaborate rituals at Janaki Mandir and other nearby sacred sites, including processions, reenactments of the wedding, and devotional activities. The festival attracts large crowds of devotees, who participate in the festivities and offer prayers for marital harmony and blessings.
Nepalese and Indian Devotees
Yes, Indian devotees actively participate in the Bibaha Panchami celebrations at Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham. This festival holds significant cultural and religious importance for both Nepal and India, as it commemorates the divine marriage of Lord Ram (an incarnation of Vishnu) and Goddess Sita (believed to be born in Janakpur), figures central to the Ramayana.
Indian pilgrims travel to Janakpur in large numbers for this occasion. Many religious and cultural groups organize trips to the temple, and Indian priests and performers are often involved in the reenactment of the wedding rituals. The shared cultural heritage between India and Nepal makes Bibaha Panchami a unifying event for devotees from both nations.
महेन्द्रनगर (धनुषा), १६ मङ्सिर :
रामजानकी विवाह पञ्चमी महाउत्सवको पहिलो दिन जनकपुरधामको जानकी मन्दिरको प्राङ्गणमा रामसीता गुरु विश्वामित्र जिसँग नगर दर्शन गराउँदै । तस्बिर : निरंजनकुमार साह/रासस On the first day of Ramjanaki’s wedding Panchami Mahautsav, Ramsita visiting the city with Guru Vishwamitra in the courtyard of Janaki temple in Janakpurdham. Photo: Chandradev Shah / Rss
Ram and Sita-wedding Symbolic
On the first day of Bibaha Panchami Mahotsav, the divine couple, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, symbolically visit the city of Janakpurdham in a grand cultural procession, accompanied by Sage Vishwamitra. This event reenacts the arrival of Lord Ram in Mithila, as described in the Ramayana, when he accompanied Sage Vishwamitra to the court of King Janak.
The scene is brought to life with vibrant cultural displays, music, and traditional performances. Devotees gather in the courtyard of the Janaki Temple to witness the spectacle, which is a blend of religious devotion and cultural heritage. The idols of Ram, Sita, and Vishwamitra are carried in decorated palanquins through the streets, symbolizing their journey to the palace. This marks the beginning of the festival, setting a spiritual tone for the days leading up to their symbolic wedding.
The procession emphasizes the sacred bond of Ram and Sita, drawing pilgrims and visitors from across Nepal and India to partake in the celebrations and offer prayers. It’s a significant moment in the festival, reflecting the shared religious and cultural ties of the region.
