Today, on the 5th
day after the waxing moon of Mangshir (Nov 29) the
marriage of Sita to Ram, is celebrated,
particularly in Janakpur, Sita's birthplace, and the
ancient capital of her father's, the wise king
Janaka.
Each year in
Janakpur, images of Rama and Sita are brought out in
colorful processions and their Hindu wedding ceremony is
re-enacted. This takes place during an exciting
week-long mela (religious fair). Thousands of pilgrims
come from India. Cultural,
agrarian and commercial exhibitions are
held. Hundreds of booths and bazaar shops
sell all sorts of wares to thousands of pilgrims.
Dust flies, loudspeakers blare, and the roar of the
crowd can be heard for miles around. Pilgrims who
have worked for miles dry their laundry as they travel,
stretching yards of colorful saris between them as they
walk on the sun-baked roads carrying bundles of
provisions and cooking gear on their heads.
On the first day,
a great procession starts from Rama's temple. His
image, dressed as a bridegroom is seated on a lavishly
decorated khat on the back
of a caparisoned elephant. A gold-tipped umbrella
is twirled over his head, musicians play, and the
festive crowd swarms along the route to the Janaki
Temple of Sita, which is only a short distance
away. The next day, the image of Sita is taken out
from her temple and carried with great fanfare to Rama's
side in a re-enactment of the Hindu marriage ceremonies,
including rituals before the sacred fire.
Love
and Pranams
Billy
Billy