Sita Navami 2024: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance
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Sita Navami, also known as Sita Jayanti, commemorates the birth of Goddess Sita, Lord Rama’s spouse. Janki Navami is another name for the day. Married women fast on this day to pray for their husbands’ long lives, just as Sita Mata fasted for Lord Rama’s life and well-being while she was kidnapped by Ravana.
According to the Hindu calendar, Sita Navami is celebrated on the Navami tithi (ninth day) of Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaisakh. The day falls in the months of April or May according to the Gregorian calendar. Lord Rama was born on the Chaitra month’s Navami, and Rama Navami falls exactly a month before Sita Navami.
Sita Navami 2024 Date Muhurat
Thursday, 16 May
Rituals of Sita Navami
- Devotees worship Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman by constructing a mandap and placing the deities’ idols on it.
- Flowers and garlands adorn the mandap, which serves as a place of devotion.
- Goddess Earth is worshipped alongside Goddess Sita since the divinity is thought to have emerged from the earth.
- Devotees also offer fruits, sesame seeds, barley, and rice to the gods in addition to puja.
- Devotees also prepare Satvik food, which is first offered to the gods and then distributed to family members or invited guests when the aarti is completed.
- Women keep a strict fast throughout the day, abstaining from drinking or eating.
- Huge celebrations and rituals such as Maha Aarti, Maha Abhishekam, and Sringaar Darshan are held at numerous temples dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.
- Several locations host Ramayan bhajans, kirtans, and recitals.
- Devotees sing and dance to religious music and chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ as the icons of deities are carried through the streets in decorated chariots.
Significance of Sita Navami
Women seek longevity for their husbands’ lives by fasting on Janaki Navami. Goddess Sita was born in Mithila and is considered the incarnated form of Goddess Lakshmi. Janaki, Bhoomija, and Maithili are some of her other names.
Sita is revered as the personification of purity, sacrifice, devotion, courage, and patience. Women who observe the Sita Navami fast are said to receive the Goddess’s heavenly graces as well as a happy married life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Sita the goddess of?
Sita is a manifestation of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Prosperity and Wealth. Vishnu’s wife, Lakshmi, incarnates with him everytime he takes on a new form.
2. What is Sita Navami?
Sita Navami, the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, falls on Navami Tithi in Vaishakha month’s Shukla Paksha. Sita Navami will be commemorated this year on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
3. How is Sita Navami celebrated?
On the auspicious day of Sita Navami, devotees maintain a fast and offer flower, dhoop, and bhog to Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman.
4. Was Sita adopted?
As a gift from the Earth goddess, King Janaka discovered her while ploughing as part of the Vedic rite he was performing and adopted her as his daughter.