2024 Sita Navami

About Sita Navami

Sita Navami, also known as Sita Jayanti, marks the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Rama. The day is also famous as Janki Navami. On the day, married women observe a fast for the 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.

Sita Jayanti Dates

As per the Hindu calendar, the festival of Sita Navami falls on Navami tithi (ninth day) during Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaisakh. According to the Gregorian calendar, the day falls in the month of April or May. Lord Rama was born on Navami of Chaitra month, and Rama Navami is observed exactly a month before Sita Navami.

Significance of Sita Navami

By observing a fast on Janaki Navami, women seek longevity for their husbands’ lives. Goddess Sita, regarded as the incarnated form of Goddess Lakshmi, was born in Mithila. She is also known by the names of Janaki, Bhoomija, and Maithili.

Goddess Sita is revered as the epitome of purity, sacrifice, dedication, courage, and patience. It is believed that women who observe the Sita Navami fast are bestowed with the divine blessings of the Goddess and a blissful married life.

Must Read: The Story of Sita Ram Wedding

Rituals of Sita Navami

• Devotees worship Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman together by arranging a mandap and setting the idols of the deities.
• The mandap, or place of worship, is decorated with flowers and garlands.
• Along with Goddess Sita, devotees also worship Goddess Earth as the deity is said to have emerged out of earth.
• Along with puja, devotees offer fruits, sesame seeds, barley, and rice to the deities.
• Devotees also prepare Satvik food, which is first offered to the deities and then distributed among family members or invitees after completion of the aarti.
• Women observe a strict fast through the day and refrain from consuming water and food.
• At various temples of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, huge celebrations are witnessed and various rituals like Maha Aarti, Maha Abhishekam, and Sringaar Darshan are held.
• Bhajans, kirtans and recitals of Ramayan are held at several places.
• Processions are carried out with the idols of deities placed in decked up chariots, as devotees sing and dance on devotional songs and chant ‘Jai Siya Ram’ along the way.

Also read: Remedies for a happy marriage