Nepal celebrated a deeply symbolic moment on November 25, as the grand Vivah Panchami (Bibah Panchami) festivities in Janakpurdham coincided with the historic dhwajarohan ceremony at the Ayodhya Ram Mandir. While thousands gathered in Janakpur to reenact the divine wedding of Bhagwan Ram and Maa Sita, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the Bhagwa (saffron) flag atop the Ayodhya mandir tower, marking a milestone in the temple’s construction. The dhwajarohan ceremony was held in the presence of RSS’s Param Poojaniya Sarsanghchalak Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries, adding to the day’s pan-Hindu significance across the region. Nepal’s historic city of Janakpurdham came alive as lakhs of devotees gathered on the sixth day of the week-long Vivah Panchami festival, which commemorates the sacred union of Bhagwan Sri Ram and Sita Mata. The ancient city, revered in the Ramayana, hosted the symbolic swayamvar ceremony at the Barha Bigha Rangabhoomi ground, the site believed to be where the divine wedding took place during the Treta Yuga.
Janakpur Deputy Mayor Kishori Shah said to the media that an estimated 300,000–400,000 pilgrims had gathered in the city to witness the traditional wedding ceremony of Bhagwan Ram and Maa Sita. He added that thousands of devotees had arrived from various districts of Nepal, as well as from the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, to take part in the celebrations.
The festivities began early in the day, culminating in the traditional reenactment of Sita’s ‘swayamvar’. As part of the ritual, priests performed Vedic ceremonies at the Rangabhoomi ground, accompanied by chanting and offerings. The highlight came when idols of Bhagwan Ram and Janaki Mata were ceremonially brought together for the symbolic exchange of garlands, a moment that drew thunderous applause from devotees. Helicopters showered flowers over the gathering as the divine couple’s union was celebrated. In the afternoon, two grand dolas (processions), one carrying the idol of Bhagwan Ram from the Ram Temple and the other carrying the idol of Sita Mata from the Janaki Temple, set out across Janakpur. Led by sadhus, saints and large groups of devotees, the processions showcased traditional tableaux, devotional singing and musical troupes playing dhol-pipahi, shehnai, marching-band music and the iconic panche baja.
Final day of Bibah Panchami celebrations & huge crowd at Mani Mandap, Janakpur. ❤️🕉️ #Festival pic.twitter.com/Px1yL46DTK
— Routine of Nepal banda (@RONBupdates) November 26, 2025
Many devotees waited for hours along the procession route, eager to witness the arrival of the symbolic wedding party. A devotee described the atmosphere as one of joyous anticipation, noting that the festival is regarded as the moment when Ram “arrives” in Janakpur from Ayodhya and receives a warm welcome from the people of Mithila.The two dolas converged at the Barha Bigha ground, where priests presided over the reenacted wedding rituals. After the garland exchange, the idols were placed on elaborately decorated platforms for public viewing. The rituals continued amid chants, hymns and floral showers. Religious leaders accompanying the wedding party from Ayodhya said the festival underscores the enduring cultural connection between Mithila, the birthplace of Sita, and Ayodhya, the birthplace of Ram. They emphasised that the tradition symbolises the ancient emotional and familial ties, often described as “roti-beti” relations, that bind the two regions.
A saint travelling with the barat from Ayodhya explained that the centuries-old observance is considered spiritually significant for Sanatani communities. He said the Vivah Panchami (Bibah Panchami) festivities bring not only joy but also a sense of divine blessing, reinforcing the shared cultural heritage of Ayodhya and Janakpur. Throughout the day, huge crowds continued to pour into the streets of Janakpur. The route from the Janaki Temple to Barha Bigha was packed with devotees who had travelled from across Nepal and neighbouring Indian states, particularly from Ayodhya and towns in Bihar. Colourful floats, traditional Mithila artwork and folk dance groups added vibrancy to the event.
Once the swayamvar ceremony concluded, both dolas were carried in a traditional circumambulatory procession around the city. The idols will return to the Janaki Temple by evening, after which priests will conduct Vedic wedding rituals throughout the night. These rituals, performed in detail, follow the ancient guidelines for divine weddings as described in Vedic texts. The week-long Vivah Panchami (Bibah Panchami) festival has concluded yesterday with the Ram Kalewa ritual, which symbolically marks the beginning of Ram and Sita’s married life. Vivah Panchami is celebrated on the sixth day of the waxing moon in the month of Mangsir (Marga Shukla Paksha), the day believed to be the most auspicious for marriage in the Mithila tradition. According to mythology, it is on this day that King Janak organised the swayamvar of his daughter, leading to her marriage with Ram.
Janakpur, the capital of Madhesh Province, remains central to these celebrations as the believed birthplace of Sita Mata and the ancient capital of Mithila. The Janaki Temple forms the heart of the festivities. Its ornate garden houses the Vivah Mandap, the ceremonial courtyard dedicated to Ram and Sita, drawing devotees and visitors alike each year.
