Today is Bivah Panchami which is celebrated to mark the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita as all the people of the Hindu world know the story of the marriage of the Ram and the princess Sita, as told in the epic Ramayana.

King Janak, Sita’s father, proposed a test of strength for the suitors of his daughter: to string the great bow of Lord Shiva. Warriors, kins and chieftains came from afar, but no man could even lift the bow. Ram lifted the bow with ease and when he tried to string it, the bow shattered into pieces.

Ram and Sita were married in Janakpur, now in southern Nepal, and their marriage is celebrated to this day. Each year, idols of Ram and Sita are brought out in procession and their Hindu wedding ceremony is re-enacted during a weeklong religious fair. Bibah Panchami reflects the devotion of Hindus to Ram, perhaps the most popular among the incarnations of Vishnu, and to Sita, the model of the ideal Hindu woman.

Vivah Panchami 2020: As per Hindu calendar, Vivah Panchami falls on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha in the Margashirsha (Agrahayana). This year, Vivah Panchami will be celebrated on December 19.

Vivah Panchami 2020: Vivah Panchami is a significant festival celebrated with much enthusiasm and faith. As per Hindu calendar, Vivah Panchami falls on the Panchami Tithi (fifth day) of Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the Moon) in the Margashirsha (Agrahayana).

It is believed that Lord Rama and Goddess Sita were married on this day. Therefore, the day is celebrated as their wedding anniversary every year. The festival of Vivah Panchami is celebrated at Ram-Sita temples across India and Nepal.

Married women celebrate Vivah Panchami for marital bliss while unmarried women celebrate it to get good husbands. As per the Gregorian calendar, Vivah Panchami is observed every year in December.

Vivah Panchami 2020: Date

This year, Vivah Panchami will be celebrated on December 19.

Vivah Panchami 2020: Tithi

The Panchami Tithi begins at 2:22 pm on December 18 and ends at 2:14 pm on December 19.

Vivah Panchami 2020: Significance

Almost all the regions of India observe the festival of Vivah Panchami at various temples of Ram and Sita. But, the most pious and grand celebrations of Vivah Panchami is held in Ayodhya (the birthplace of Lord Ram) and Janakpur (located in Nepal, the birthplace of Goddess Sita).

As per the legends, King Janak wanted his daughter to marry the one was who is truly blessed. Therefore, on this day, he organised a Swayamvar (competition to choose a suitable marriage partner).

The prospective grooms were expected to lift a massive bow named Shiva Dhanusha and twine it using a string to win. But, it was such a heavy and enormous bow that every participant failed even to move the bow from its position. The inability of the royals to even move the bow disappointed Janak.

However, seeing this, Viswamitra instructed prince Ram, it was then he who not only moved the bow but lifted it effortlessly and broke it into two. This sight made Janak beam with joy as he knew that his daughter had found the one who deserved her the most. Subsequently, a formal wedding ceremony was organised to solemnise the marriage.