Sita Navami 2024 Is Today: Know History, Significance, Timings, Rituals, Puja Vidhi, Wishes And More

Sita Navami also know as Janaki Navami celebrates the birth anniversary of Goddess Sita, believed to be the avatar of Mother Earth and the wife of Lord Rama according to Hindu mythology. Even when she was captured by the demon king Ravana, Sita prayed for Lord Rama's well-being. This festival falls on the Navami Tithi, the ninth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Baisakh. Devotees of Lord Rama and Mata Sita celebrate Sita Navami with great enthusiasm every year. It's a time of pomp and grandeur as people honour the divine couple.

Sita Navami 2024 date and timings

This year, Sita Navami is celebrated today, Thursday, May 16. According to Drik Panchang, the Navami Tithi, which is the ninth day of the bright fortnight, will begin at 6:22 AM on May 16 and will end at 8:48 AM on May 17. This period marks the auspicious time to celebrate and honour Goddess Sita's birth anniversary.

History

Goddess Sita is believed to be the adopted daughter of King Janaka of Mithila. According to the legend, while the king was ploughing the land for a yajna (a ritual), he discovered a golden casket containing Sita. As the land where she was found had been ploughed, it was named "Sita," and that's why King Janaka named her Sita. This story is often recounted in Hindu mythology to explain the origins of Goddess Sita's name and her connection to King Janaka.

The Ramayana tells of Sita's numerous challenges during her time with Lord Rama: enduring his 14-year exile, being kidnapped by Ravana, and ultimately being rescued from Lanka. Despite these hardships, her unwavering adherence to dharma, loyalty to her husband, and moral strength serve as an inspiration to Indian women.

Hindus seek Mata Sita’s blessings for marital happiness, virtuous children, and the courage to follow the righteous path despite difficulties. Grand puja ceremonies, including ritual bathing, fasting, prayers, and offerings, are held in her honour in temples and homes.

This festival revives the timeless ethos of Indian culture, where the divine mother figure symbolises creation, nourishment, and spiritual growth. Sita Navami embodies the diverse values that have inspired women throughout generations of Hinduism, marking a glorious celebration of feminine strength and virtue.

Significance

On Sita Navami, worshipping Goddess Sita is believed to bring blessings of wealth and prosperity to devotees. Married women especially worship her on this day, seeking her blessings for the long life and well-being of their husbands. It's considered auspicious to pray to Goddess Sita on Sita Navami, as her blessings are believed to bring happiness and prosperity to families.

Sita Navami puja vidhi and rituals

On Sita Navami, devotees begin their day early by taking a holy bath. Then, they adorn the idol of Goddess Sita with sola shringaar, which includes sixteen types of traditional ornaments. It's believed that Goddess Sita is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Makhana Kheer, a sweet dish made from fox nuts, is offered to the Goddess as a part of the worship. People perform puja rituals in front of the idol of Goddess Sita, chant mantras, and may also participate in Sita Kalyanam, a ceremonial reenactment of the marriage of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita.

Sita Navami is celebrated with deep devotion as it marks the birth of Mother Earth, who is seen as an incarnation of Devi Sita and embodies feminine virtues. Hindu families create beautiful mandapas adorned with Sita's idol or paintings, decorated with cosmetics like sindoor, bindi, Chandan, makeup, and jewelry.

During the worship ritual, devotees offer fresh flowers, incense sticks, lamps, and offerings of Goddess Sita's favorite foods like panjiri, coconut rice, and sweets. Mantras, shlokas, and kirtans praising Sita's qualities of truth, devotion, sacrifice, and resilience are recited, activating the divine feminine energy.

Fasting on Sita Navami and sincerely worshipping Goddess Sita is believed to bring her blessings. Many married Hindu women observe nirjala vrat, fasting without water, praying for a harmonious married life for Goddess Sita and Lord Rama. This day is cherished for its spiritual significance and the opportunity to connect with the divine feminine energy embodied by Goddess Sita.

Observing Sita Navami with devotion is believed to bring various benefits:

• Women who observe the Sita Navami vrat and pray with sincerity are said to experience a stronger bond and better understanding with their husbands.
• Couples desiring children may be blessed with virtuous offspring through the divine grace of Goddess Sita.
• Goddess Sita's blessings are believed to alleviate inauspicious doshas or obstacles in one's horoscope that hinder marriage.
• Those facing hardships or prolonged illness may find comfort and relief through prayers to the embodiment of motherly love.

Sita Navami wishes and messages to share with loved ones

• May the blessings of Goddess Sita fill your life with love, prosperity, and happiness on Sita Navami and always.
• Wishing you a Sita Navami filled with devotion, strength, and the grace of Goddess Sita to guide you through life's challenges.
• May the divine presence of Goddess Sita bring harmony and peace to your family on this auspicious occasion of Sita Navami.
• Sending heartfelt wishes for a blissful Sita Navami, may you be blessed with unwavering faith, courage, and wisdom.
• On Sita Navami, may your prayers be answered, and may you find fulfilment in all aspects of life.
• May the virtues of Goddess Sita inspire you to walk the path of righteousness and lead a life filled with compassion and kindness.
• Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Sita Navami, may the divine blessings of Goddess Sita shower upon you abundantly.
• As we celebrate Sita Navami, may your home be filled with love, laughter, and prosperity throughout the year.
• May the divine couple, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, shower their blessings upon you on Sita Navami and always.
• On this sacred day of Sita Navami, may you be blessed with inner peace, strength, and the fulfilment of all your wishes.