Janaki Mandir in Janakpur Dham decked as a bride itself on the occasion of "Bibaha Panchami". by Nikki Thapa

Let’s start this writing with a question, “What marks God and the normal people different from each other?” And if I have to answer, I would say, the major difference is the powers between them; Gods can do the acts that normal humans generally never can. Yes, simply the story that I am going to share here is just like that which is related to Bibaha Panchami.

Bibaha Panchami is a Hindu commemoration day that marks the marriage of prince/Lord Rama and princess/Goddess Sita. Ram was the prince of Ayodhya, India, whereas Sita was the princess of Janakpur, Nepal. Owing to the burden of finding the right match for his daughter, King Janak, Sita’s father was very worried about finding a suitable husband for his only heir. In his intuition of finding the best husband for his daughter, he organized a huge ceremony where all the princes from near and far states would participate.

The ceremony was magnificent, the warrior princes from all over the Indian Subcontinent came in with intention of marrying Sita. Princes had to exhibit their strength to be eligible to claim the most beautiful girl of that time. All were enamoured by Sita's beauty and so was Lord Ram. However, Sita had already fallen in love with Rama at the very first sight. She was very nervous about her fate and who would win the competition as the rest of the participants were not with good figures.

King Janak announced, "The prince can string the supreme bow of great Lord Shiva could be the right candidate to marry his daughter".

The proud princes thought to themselves, such a trivial act for winning the most beautiful woman in the world. They, in turn,

tried to lift the bow to string it, but none could even move the bow. It was lord Ram who was able to lift the bow. Nonetheless, while trying to string it, the bow broke into pieces which made everyone clear about his strength. He need not string the bow then.

The act of lifting the bow is at the heart of Bibaha Panchami as the event was the reason which united Lord Ram and Goddess Sita. After that, Lord Ram and Goddess Sita’s marriage was organized in Sukla Panchami which is called Bibaha Panchami, and is still commemorated to recall the holy marriage. This event is not celebrated all over Nepal though. Whereas, it is one of the most important events in Janakpur, the birthplace of goddess Sita and the interested devotees partake in the event from all over Nepal and India. Consequently, Bibaha Panchami is a special event based on the specific place, Janakpur in Nepal.

People celebrate the marriage anniversary of Lord Ram and Goddess in Mangsir Sukla Panchami at Janaki Mandir in Janakpurdham. During this time, thousands of Hindu devotees pay their visit to the temple. Throughout the festival, the organizers decorate the temple in s grand manner. The temple looks as if the real marriage mandap (the specific place where marriage is organized). They decorate the idol of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita as Bridegroom and Bride. Further, the real-looking marriage takes place between God and Goddess. Participating once on this occasion is an auspicious time for the devotees. Therefore, the ocean of people gathers in the periphery to participate in the occasion.

More about Sita Mata (Goddess Sita)

Goddess Sita who is also called Sita Mata is simply a very unique being in herself as we can find some exceptional stories about her. According to one of the stories, king Janak is not the biological father of Sita Mata. Once, he was organizing a Yagya (a ritual of devotion and worship). As a part of the Yagya, he himself had to plough the field for the place of Yagya. It so happened, while ploughing the land, he found a girl child inside the ground. Since the king didn’t have any heir, he adopted her and named her Sita, the name given after the tip of the plough.

Likewise, another story also reveals that Sita Mata didn’t get the natural birth. According to the second story, once there lived a king called Ravana. He was a cruel king who charged heavy taxes on the people of Janakpur. Since people didn’t have money, they presented a pot filled with human blood with a note which said, “The tax is here, but be careful to open it.” Ravana wanted to know what the thing was but didn’t dare to open it. So, asked his men to send in the Himalayas. It is believed that Sita Mata was born out of the same blood.

The daughter was like a blessing to the King and he raised her with great care and love. Later on, Sita Mata got a chance to mingle with Lord Ram and their life story make the great epic legend of the Hindus, The Ramayana. It is believed, if Ramayana is recited every morning at home, it is sure to gain fortune.

In conclusion, people observe Bibaha Panchami with great respect to their God and Goddess who teach the morals of living an unalloyed life. We can find the matters of family, the challenges and the necessity to fight back the evils in life from Ramayana. Therefore, people observe Vibah Panchami with great respect and joy for a week including the preparation of marriage. On the day of Bibaha Panchami, people fast till the evening and after observing the marriage ceremony, they take pure food in the evening.