Vivah Panchami 2026: Ram-Sita Wedding Date, Katha and Puja Vidhi
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Vivah Panchami 2026 is on Monday, 14 December. The story of Ram and Sita's wedding, puja vidhi, reading from the Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas and the beliefs tied to the day.
Vivah Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 14 December 2026. It is the festival of the Panchami of Margashirsha Shukla Paksha, observed in memory of the wedding of Lord Ram and Mata Sita. The Panchami tithi runs from the afternoon of 13 December to the evening of 14 December.
**Key Takeaways** - Date: Monday, 14 December 2026 (Margashirsha Shukla Panchami) - It is the wedding day of Ram and Sita, celebrated especially in Ayodhya and Janakpur - The wedding episode described in the Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas is read on this day - For people living abroad the date may shift a day because of local time
Vivah Panchami 2026 Date
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival | Vivah Panchami (Ram-Sita wedding) |
| Date | Monday, 14 December 2026 |
| Paksha-tithi | Margashirsha Shukla Panchami |
The start and end of the tithi can shift slightly by city. Check your city's tithi on the panchang page.
The Story of Ram and Sita's Wedding
According to the story, a swayamvar was held for Sita, daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. The condition was that whoever strung Shiva's bow would marry Sita. Many kings failed, but Ram lifted the bow and it broke as he strung it. A wedding party then came from Ayodhya, and Ram and Sita were married with great celebration in Mithila (Janakpur). Goswami Tulsidas wrote this episode in detail in the Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas.
Vivah Panchami Puja Vidhi
- 1.Bathe in the morning and take a sankalp for the vrat or puja.
- 2.Place an image of Ram and Mata Sita at the puja space and offer clothes, flowers and a garland.
- 3.Offer roli, rice, fruit and sweets.
- 4.Read or listen to the wedding episode from the Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas.
- 5.Chant mantras and names, such as Sita Ram and Shri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram.
- 6.Complete the puja by singing the Ramchandra Kripalu aarti.
Some devotees also hold a symbolic wedding of Ram and Sita, dressing the two images as bride and groom.
Beliefs Tied to the Day
In Ayodhya and Janakpur (Nepal) special celebrations and processions are held on Vivah Panchami. In some places in the Mithila region there is also a belief that daughters are not married on this day, because Sita endured many hardships after her marriage. This is a regional custom, not a universal rule.
More on Ram
For lessons drawn from the epic, read 6 Timeless Life Lessons from the Ramayana.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Vivah Panchami in 2026?
Vivah Panchami 2026 is on Monday, 14 December 2026, the festival of Margashirsha Shukla Panchami.
Why is Vivah Panchami celebrated?
It commemorates the wedding of Lord Ram and Mata Sita, held in Mithila (Janakpur) after the swayamvar.
What is read on Vivah Panchami?
The Ram-Sita wedding episode described in the Bal Kand of the Ramcharitmanas is read or listened to.
Are weddings avoided on Vivah Panchami?
In some places in the Mithila region there is a belief that daughters are not married on this day because Sita endured hardships after her marriage. It is a regional custom, not a universal rule.