Sita Navami: Celebrating the Birth of Goddess Sita
Sita Navami is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama. This festival falls on the ninth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Vaishakha, which usually falls in April or May according to the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in different parts of India, especially in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The significance of Sita Navami lies in the fact that Goddess Sita is revered as one of the most important deities in Hindu mythology. She is considered to be the epitome of devotion, sacrifice, and purity. According to the epic Ramayana, Sita was born to King Janaka and Queen Sunayana of Mithila. She was discovered by King Janaka while he was ploughing the field, and he raised her as his own daughter. Sita was later married to Lord Rama, who was the prince of Ayodhya, and they lived a life of love and devotion to each other.
On the day of Sita Navami, devotees perform puja and offer prayers to Goddess Sita and Lord Rama. They also recite the Ramayana and sing devotional songs in praise of the divine couple. In some regions, a grand procession is taken out, and the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita are carried in a palanquin to the accompaniment of music and chants. The festival is also celebrated by performing kanyadaan, which involves donating clothes and other items to young girls as a symbol of Sita's purity and devotion.
In Uttar Pradesh, the town of Sitamarhi is especially known for its grand celebrations of Sita Navami. The town is believed to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita, and thousands of devotees visit the Sita Temple here to offer prayers and seek blessings. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights, and special puja and havan are performed on this day.
In Bihar, the festival is celebrated as Janki Navami, and devotees take out a procession carrying a palanquin of Goddess Sita. They also perform special puja and offer prasad to the deity.
In conclusion, Sita Navami is a festival that celebrates the birth of Goddess Sita, who is revered as an embodiment of devotion, sacrifice, and purity in Hindu mythology. The festival is celebrated with great fervor and devotion in different parts of India and is a symbol of the deep reverence and devotion that Hindus have for their deities.