Margshirsh Panchami - Sita Ram Vivah Mahotsav

Sita Ram Vivah Mahotsav commemorates the divine wedding of Lord Rama and Goddess Janki. It is celebrated with deep devotion, joy and grandeur, especially in regions connected to Ramayana traditions like Ayodhya, Janakpur and Mithila. The festival symbolises the sacred union of dharma (righteousness) and shakti (divine power).

The temple courtyard is decorated with flowers, rangoli, banana arches and colourful Mithila paintings. A special Vivah Mandap is built replicating the wedding pavilion of Mithila. Idols of Lord Rama and Janki Mata are dressed as bridegroom and bride with royal ornaments. Priests chant Vedic mantras; rituals like kanyadaan, mangalsutra, varmala and agni parikrama are symbolically performed. Devotees witness the ceremony and offer akshata (rice) for blessings. Grand procession of Shri Ram idol taken on decorated chariots through Ayodhya’s citys with bands, nagadas and bhajan groups. Scholars narrate episodes from the Ramcharitmanas (especially the Swayamvar scene). Dancers and Actors performs Various Acts, like Fulwari. Children enact the wedding scene; local folk troupes perform Ram Vivah ballet, Ramlila excerpts and devotional dances. Continuous chanting of “Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jai” and bhajans on Janki Mata’s virtues. Artists from Mithila invited to sing traditional wedding songs. Free community meal (prasadam) is offered to all devotees after the wedding rituals. Devotees donate grains, clothes and sweets symbolically as gifts to the divine couple. Couples participate in a special pooja seeking the blessings of Lord Ram and Janki Mata for a harmonious married life.Newlyweds tie symbolic knots in front of the idols.