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Bivah Panchami, the celestial marriage celebrated

Saturday - 18th December 2004

An estimated three hundred thousand devotees from India and Nepal converged in Janakpur to witness the re-enactment of the legendary Ram-Janaki wedding on December 16, 2004. Special functions were held at the Bivah Mnadap and Janaki temple where king Gyanendra and Queen Komal offered Puja amid the chanting of Vedic hymns by the priests. Upon arrival at the Janaki Temple, Their Majesties were welcomed by the Mahanta of Janaki Temple, Ram Tapeshwar Das.

According to Hindu mythology, King Dashrath's eldest son Ram married the deity Sita by stringing the bow of Lord Shiva over seven thousand years ago. The story relates how over a hundred princess and Hindu kings from different kingdoms across India attended the 'Swoyambhar' to try their luck at stringing the heavy bow to win Sita's hand.

The marriage procession started from Ayodhya, India, hometown of Lord Rama on December 8, accompanied by forty vehicles led by chief of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Ashok Singhal. Other prominent members of the procession were VHP general secretary Acharya Giriraj Kishore and Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, president of Ramjanmabhoomi Trust. Janaki's palanquin was also taken around the city prior to arriving at the Rangabhoomi (the engagement site). Swoyambhar was then formally held. Janakpur was illuminated in the evening to celebrate the celestial marriage. Ramananda Dwar, built by the Janaki temple, was also inaugurated.

Though this festival of celestial marriage performs throughout Nepal and India, the focal point of attraction is in Janakpur, the birthplace of Janaki. Janakpur is considered to be a pious place of pilgrimage. Thousands of people visit Janakpur from different parts of India and Nepal to offer worship at the famous temples of Rama and Janaki. They also watch and witness the ceremonial marriage procession.


Source NTB