Janakpurdham, November 25
Janakpurdham is filled with festive splendour today as the Sitaram Bibah Panchami celebrations take place.
The main day of the week-long Bibah Panchami festival is marked today with the traditional reenactment of the marriage of Ram and Janaki, believed to have taken place during the Treta Yuga. This afternoon, the historic Rangabhoomi ground in Barha Bigha hosted the symbolic “swayambar” of Ram and Janaki.
Led by sadhus and saints, a grand procession featuring traditional tableaux and hymns set out from Ram Temple carrying the “dola” of Lord Ram, while another dola departed from Janaki Temple carrying Janaki. Both processions met at the historic Barha Bigha Rangabhoomi, where the ceremonial “swayambar” was performed with grandeur.
Accompanied by traditional instruments including “dhol pipahi”, “shehnai”, band music and “panche baja”, the two “dolas” unite at Barha Bigha, after which Ram and Janaki are ceremonially married by exchanging garlands according to Vedic rituals.
A massive crowd of devotees lined the route from Janaki Temple to Barha Bigha to witness the procession and the “swayambar”. During the ceremony, flowers were also showered from a helicopter.
After the “swayambar”, both “dolas” are carried around the city for a circumambulation. Once they return to Janaki Temple, Vedic wedding rituals will continue throughout the night. The week-long Vivah Panchami festival concludes tomorrow with the ritual of Ram Kalewa.
