Sita Navami, also known as Janaki Navami, celebrates the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama. According to Hindu tradition, Goddess Sita is believed to have been born on Navami, the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha, during the month of Vaisakh. This year, Sita Navami falls on Thursday May 16, 2024.
| DATE | Thursday May 16, 2024 |
| Sita Navami Madhyahna Muhurat | 10:56 to 13:39 |
| Sita Navami Madhyahna Moment | 12:18PM |
| Navami Tithi Begins | 06:22 on May 16, 2024 |
| Navami Tithi Ends | 08:48 on May 17, 2024 |
It is believed that Goddess Sita was born on Tuesday in Pushya Nakshatra. Goddess Sita was married to Lord Rama who was also born on Navami Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Chaitra month. On Hindu calendar Sita Jayanti falls after one month of Rama Navami. Married women keep fast on Sita Navami day and pray to seek long lives of their husbands, just the way Sita Mata prayed for Lord Rama’s life and well-being while she was abducted by Ravana.
ALSO READ: Why did Sita curse a cow, a crow, a Brahmin, and a river?
Mata Sita is also known as Janaki as she was the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. Hence this day is also known as Janaki Navami. According to Hindu mythology, when King Janaka was ploughing the land to conduct a Yajna he found a baby girl in the Golden casket. The Golden casket was found inside the field while ploughing the land. A ploughed land is called Sita hence King Janaka named the baby girl as Sita.
RITUALS OF SITA NAVAMI
Devotees celebrate this day with deep respect, engaging in several rituals to receive blessings. Common puja rituals for Sita Navami include:
Fasting and Purity:
Devotees rise early, perform ablutions, and don clean attire. Ensure the altar or the designated area for the puja is clean.
Idol Worship:
Bathe the idols of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. Then, place the idols on a clean platform. Offer sandalwood, incense (dhoop), flowers, and fruits to the deities.
Chanting Mantras:
During the puja, devotees recite mantras dedicated to Goddess Sita and Lord Rama.
Sita Kalyanam:
In various regions of India, a unique ceremony known as Sita Kalyanam is conducted. It symbolizes the divine marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
SIGNIFICANCE
Goddess Sita, a central figure in the Indian epic Ramayana, is revered as embodying virtue, purity, and devotion. She is the incarnation of Lakshmi, the wife of the supreme god Vishnu. Sita represents the ideal wife, daughter, and mother to the Hindu people, and she is remembered for her fine attributes and revered for having the noblest qualities of women.
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