Kathmandu, Dec. 8: The festival of Vivah Panchami is being celebrated throughout the country on Wednesday by worshipping and paying homage to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
The day is magnificently celebrated at the Janaki temple in Janakpurdham, Dhanusha.
The religious and cultural festival is observed on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha, according to Hindu calendar.
As per the mythology, it was on this very day that Lord Ram and Goddess Sita got married in the Treta Yuga.
Thousands of devotees gather in Janakpur to mark the day with gaiety and religious wedding ceremony of Ram and Sita, which is set to be held at the Rangabhoomi ground in Janakpurdham today. It is believed that all the 560 million deities will be present to witness the marriage ceremony.
During the week-long ceremony, various rituals, like the matkot, tilakotsav, swoyambara and the Bivaha Panchami, are observed as part of the festival.
As per the religious tradition, statue of lord Ram is brought in a decorated colourful palanquin accompanied by a procession and musical band.
The decorated palanquin with statue of Sita is also brought to the Rangabhoomi and performed all the rituals.
Thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India gather in Janakpur to witness the grand celebration. The province government has announced public holiday for Wednesday across the province.
Vibhah Panchami deepens brotherhood: President
Meanwhile, President Bidya Devi Bhandari has said that Vivah Panchami, the ancient festival, will help strengthen mutual harmony, tolerance and national unity.
Extending her best wishes on the occasion of Vivah Panchami, President Bhandari said, “I am confident that this ancient cultural festival will help deepen the spirit of mutual harmony, tolerance and brotherhood in the geographically and culturally diverse Nepali society by preserving and promoting our original culture.”
In her message, President Bhandari said Vivah Panchami, which has been celebrated in the Mithila region since ancient times, has cultural and historical significance.
“I wish that this great festival would inspire all of us to take the lead in building an egalitarian, civilised and cultured society by further strengthening the spirit of greater national unity among all Nepalis,” read the President’s message.
-The Rising Nepal
