VIVAH PANCHAMI
Vivah Panchami a very sacred and auspicious festival in the Hindu religion is observed with great faith and dedication in commendation and acknowledgement of the sacred matrimony of Lord Shri Ram and Mata Sita. Vivah Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Margashirsha.
This Panchami day is observed as per placement of the new moon. around 20 days after the auspicious Kartik Purnima and this sacred day commemorates the divine matrimonial unison thus paying a tribute to virtue, eternal bond of matrimony, sanctity, veneration and cosmic order.In 2025, Vivah Panchami will be observed on Tuesday, the 25th of November with immense fervor all across the Indian sub-continent.
In those areas which are deeply and emotionally connected with the rituals and values of Ramayana Vivah Panchami is the biggest festival. This sacred day holds a cherished place in the hearts of devotees, not just as a mythological event but as a beautiful representation of ideal marriage, family values, and spiritual harmony.
Vivah Panchami marks the holy matrimony of Lord Rama who is said to be the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu one of the Gods of the holy Trinity with Mata Sita who was the daughter of King Janak of Mithila. As per Ramayana the Holy epic, this wedding was not only a royal wedding function but an event which happened by fate and virtuous divine intervention.
Rishi Vishwamitra (Sage Vishwamitra) took young Rama and Lakshmana to Mithila to participate in Sita Ji’s Swayamvar. Raja Janaka had vowed to marry his daughter to a man who could lift and string Lord Shiva’s mighty and heavy Dhanush (bow) called Pinaka. N number of old and young kings tried to string the Dhanush but failed. Then came the turn of Lord Rama who easily lifted the dhanush but it broke during this try.
This feat of Lord Shri Ram made him the perfect match for Mata Sita and this emotional moment is one of the most joyous episodes of Ramayana. Vivah Panchami is not just a celebration of this holy union of the divine but also of everything that marriage represents which is duty, selfless love and respect, faith, dedication and righteousness.
This day holds much emotional and devotional significance:
1. Symbol of Ideal Marriage
The relationship between Shri Rama and Mata Sita is the best illustration and model of matrimonial bond is the perfect example of marital tranquility. The relationship between them is a symbol of equality, modesty, sacrifice for each other and fidelity.
2. Celebration of Ethical Duty and Dharma
This divine union accentuates the victory of virtue and divinity and serves a s a reminder to always stand by what’s right and morally correct.
3. Blessings for Matrimonial Harmony
On this sacred day, unmarried girls keep vrat and fasts and pray to Mata Sita to be blessed with perfect life partners. Married women also pray to Mata Sita and Shri Ram for conjugal bliss, peace, and prosperity.
4. Cultural Heritage
The festival upholds tradition and sagas from Ramayana and connects the modern generation to their rich cultural heritage.
Vivah Panchami is observed with much zest and fervour mainly in Ayodhya, Janakpur (Nepal), Chitrakoot, and Mithila. These are the areas physically and traditionally more connected with Ramayana. The main traditions observed are:
1. Ram-Sita Vivah Ceremony performed in temples
The divine wedding is recreated in temples with idols of Rama and Sita dressed as a bride and groom. The following rituals are performed:
Thousands and lakhs of followers gather to witness this divine matrimony and “Ram Naam” is vibrantly present in the atmosphere.
2. Special Pujas and Bhajan Ceremonies
Bal Kanda and other recitals of Ramayan are performed in temples and in homes and songs dedicated to this sacred couple can be heard everywhere.
3.Nirjala Vrat or Phalahari Vrat
Women and girls mainly celebrate this day by observing fasts be it Nirjala Vrat (fast without food and water) or Phalahari Vrat (fast where one eats fruits , water and juices) and pray to the Gods for matrimonial harmony and Shri Ram like life partners respectively. It is believed to be the most blessed day where matrimony is concerned.
4. Processions and Cultural Programs
In Ayodhya and Janakpur grand processions are carried out and people carry idols of Prabhu Shri Ram and Mata Sita across the physical boundaries of the cities. The wedding rituals are enacted with great enthusiasm, attracting thousands of pilgrims.
This year Vivah Panchami will be celebrated on Tuesday the 25th of November, 2025
Panchami Tithi will begin at 09.22 pm on the 24th of November, 2025.
Panchami Tithi will end at 10.56 pm on 25th of November, 2025
Puja at homes and temples will be performed early in the morning hours of 25th November for most blessings.
Simple sattvic homemade dishes are prepared and presented to Prabhu Shri Ram and Mata Sita on this day. Some of the dishes prepared are:
After presenting the dishes to the Gods and once the Puja is complete, the prasad may be distributed to one and all.
Janakpur which is in Nepal which is the birthplace of Maa Sita celebrates Vivah Panchami in the most grand and magnificent way. The Janaki Mandir is the main center where devotees from all parts of the world come to just get a glimpse of this divine moment.
The celebration is spread over a period of five days where the city is lit up with Diyas (small earthen lamps), melas are organised, cultural and bhajan samaroh (ceremony) are organised and many couples also get married on this day for divine blessings and great matrimonial life and harmony
Janakpur is the heart of Vivah Panchami celebrations and the blend of tradition and modern values can be witnessed.
Vivah Panchami is a reminder to the believers to imbibe these values of the divine couple in their lives:
Vivah Panchami is not just a festival or a day to celebrate the marriage of the divine couple but it is also a commemoration of endless devotion, perpetual love, righteousness, trust and enduring affection in a matrimonial relationship.
Shri Rama and Mata Sita are the perfect couple, their values, their morals, their love and trust towards each other and the affection in the matrimonial bond is something which eac couple should inspire to achieve.
By observing Vivah Panchami the blessing of Shri Ram and Maa Sita are supposed to eternally be showered on you. Having faith in the divine couple and imbibing their values is said to bring harmony, prosperity, and spiritual joy in one’s family and matrimonial relationships.
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