Sita Navami 2025 (Sita Jayanti)

What is Sita Navami (Janki Jayanti)

Sita Navami marks the birth anniversary of Maa Sita, the Divine consort of Lord Rama . The festival is also known as Sita Jayanti, Janki Navami or Janki Jayanti, it is celebrated on the Shukla Paksha (Waxing Moon), Navami (Day Nine) tithi in the lunar month of Vaishaka (May-June) as per the Hindu calendar.

When is Sita Jayanti? Sita Navami Date, Tithi and Timing For Puja:

Sita Navami on Monday, May 5, 2025

Sita Navami Madhyahna Muhurat - 10:58 AM to 01:38 PM
Duration - 02 Hours 40 Mins
Rama Navami on Sunday, April 6, 2025
Sita Navami Madhyahna Moment - 12:18 PM
Navami Tithi Begins - 07:35 AM on May 05, 2025
Navami Tithi Ends - 08:38 AM on May 06, 2025

What To Do On Sita Navami?

On Sita Jayanti or Janki Navami the married women pray to Goddess Sita or Sita Devi, who spent Her life dedicated to Her husband, Lord Rama through all situations, as specified in the Epic Ramayana. Hindu women observe the Sita Navami Vrat or fast for the well-being of their husbands, the way Sita Devi did for Lord Rama.

Rama Navami And Sita Navami

It is interesting to know that Lord Rama was born on the same tithi (Navami) in the Chaitra Month (April-May) and His birth anniversary is known as Rama Navami which is celebrated before the Sita Navami.

Birth of Sita | Sita Birth Place | Sita Born

There are many legends associated with the story of Maa Sita's birth. Sitamarhi district in the Indian state of Bihar is a pilgrimage place and is considered the birthplace of Sita Devi by locals. Besides this, in Nepal, Province No. 2, is also presumed to be the birthplace of Sita Devi.

The other legend is derived from the Tamil version of Valmiki's Ramayan which says that Sita Devi was found in the lap of Earth, hidden in the ploughed furrow of a field. The location indicated is Sitamarhi of Mithila region which is presently in the state of Bihar, India. Because of this story, Goddess Sita is also referred to as the daughter of Goddess Earth or Bhumi Devi and is said to have been found and adopted by the King of Mithila, King Janaka and Sunaina, His wife.

Another version of King Janaka story, from the revised texts of Ramayana Manjari describes that once King Janaka saw Menaka in the sky and the King expressed a wish to have a child. When he discovered the child, Menaka appeared in the sky once again and gave Him the message that She had given birth to the child and that King Janaka should adopt Her as the child.

It is also believed that Sita Devi was King Janaka's own daughter and not adopted as indicated in the original Valmiki Ramayana.

There are two reincarnation legends of Sita Devi's birth: Some versions of the Ramayana suggest that at the time when Vedavati was doing penance with the intension of becoming Lord Vishnu's consort, Ravana had tried to molest her which tarnished her purity and her chaste form. Vedavati cursed Ravana that she would reincarnate in another time and would be the cause of Ravana's death and then she immolated herself in a pyre. It is said that Vedavati was reincarnated as Sita Devi. The other story of Manivati is quite on the similar lines where Ravana was responsible for upsetting the austere life which Manivati adhered to. She vowed to pay back Ravana for this and took birth later as Ravana's daughter. However, His astrologers predicted that this daughter would be the cause of His destruction. Ravana wanted to get rid of the reincarnated Manivati and so buried Her in the Earth at Mithila, where She was detected by farmers and King Janaka then adopted Her.

Sita Name Meaning & Her Other Names

Sri Sita Devi, Lord Rama's wife and the daughter of King Janaka have quite a few names with which She is referred to. Sita - in Sanskrit means furrow, “seet”, as she was discovered in a furrow of the field in Mitila.

• Janaki - It means the daughter of King Janak and is a popular name of Devi Sita.
• Janakatmaja - Janak is Sita Devi's father and the Sanskrit word 'Atmaja', means 'part of the soul'. Combined, it means part of Janak's Soul.
• Janaknandani - It means Janak's daughter. The word 'nandini' means the one who brings joy. So Janaknandini means the one who brought joy in King Janak's life.
• Bhumija and Bhoomiputri - Means the daughter of Bhoomi (Earth).
• Maithili - means the Princess of Mithala.
• Rma (Rama) - Rma (Rama) means the wife of Rama.
• Vaidehi - King Janak could move into the state of transcendental meditation, defying the physical consciousness and was referred to as Vaideh. Vaidehi, means Janak's daughter.

Siya and Bhusuta are some other names by which Sita Devi is revered.

Qualities Of Maa Sita

The role which Goddess Sita played in Lord Ram's life was that of a silent, all accepting, devoted partner, devotion to Lord Rama and to as Her husband.

When Lord Rama was asked to go on an exile for 14 years, Maa Sita stayed calm and collected, showing Her balance and acceptance of situations. Lord Rama wanted His wife, Sita Devi to stay back at the palace of Ayodhya but Sita Maa refused to do that. She heard Her inner-voice, the voice of Her conscience and insisted that She would accompany Lord Rama wherever He went. It was Her immense sense of duty towards Her beloved husband which prevailed. The Lord tried to dissuade Her by saying that the forest/jungle is not a safe place, that there would be no luxuries, that there would be wild animals and dangers lurking. However, Sita Devi stayed undeterred. She said she would be happy to be in the safety of the arms of Her husband and would follow all austerities, discipline which She was meant to and be beside Him to serve Him. Lord Rama was finally convinced by Sita Devi and on His instruction; She easily donated all Her ornaments and other valuables and followed Lord Rama to the forest for exile. Sita Devi was the Princess of Mithila and was the Queen of Ayodhya, She knew that life in the forest would not be easy but She faithfully followed Her inner guidance.

Sita Devi was in complete harmony with nature and Mother Earth, in the forest and willingly embraced the life which was in a stark contrast from the luxurious life She had always lived. Sita Devi happily ate what Her husband ate which was fruit from the forest, nuts and whatever else was available.

Maa Sita's devotion and dedication to Lord Rama was proved when She was abducted and kept in captivity by Ravana. She grew stronger in the adverse situation and all Ravana's advances towards Her, in order to win Her over failed completely. Fearless as She was, She told Ravana that He would soon meet His death in the hands of Lord Rama. Sita Devi stayed peaceful in this situation too.

With single minded devotion and dedication, Sita Devi focused only on the image of Lord Rama in Her heart and knew that all will be well.

Ram Sita Marriage

The marriage of Lord Rama and Mother Sita is beautifully described in the epic Ramayana. King Janaka organized a Swayamvara ceremony for Maa Sita after she reached adulthood. He invited all eligible royalty to string and break Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva in order to win the hand of Maa Sita in marriage. The Pinaka was not an ordinary bow but the divine one that can never be handled by anybody who is not pious. The bow was chosen because King Janaka wanted the best man with spotless character for his daughter Sita.

When Vishvamitra who had Lord Rama and Lakshmana in the forest with him for guarding the sacrificial fire, heard about the Swayamvara ceremony, he asks the Lord to take part in the same. When King Janaka heard about the Lord, being son of King Dasharatha, taking part in ceremony, he became joyful.

On the day of the ceremonial performance of Swayamvara, when all the princes failed to even lift the Pinaka, Lord Rama arrived and lifted it, shocking all others and pleasing Sita. After lifting it, the Lord strung the bow tightly and as the Pinaka broke apart. King Janaka became blissful and considered himself to be the most fortunate father to have found an ideal man for his daughter. The entire Mithila, King Janaka’s kingdom, fell into the boundless joy as Sita was going to live with a prince who was sought by thousand other women.

Today people especially the devotees of Lord Rama celebrate the Lord’s marriage as Vivah Panchami on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Margashirsha month (Nov-Dec). The day is observed as the Vivah Utsav of Sita and Rama in temples and sacred places.

Sita Abducted By Ravana

The marriage of Lord Rama and Mother Sita is beautifully described in the Ramayana. King Janaka organized Swayamvara ceremony for Sita after she reached adulthood. He invited stronger men to string and break Pinaka, the bow of Lord Shiva in order to receive Sita in marriage. The Pinaka was not an ordinary bow but the divine one that was not accessible to the selfish and arrogant people. The bow was chosen because King Janaka wanted the best man with spotless character for his daughter Sita.

When Vishvamitra who had Lord Rama and Lakshmana in the forest with him for guarding the sacrificial fire, heard about the Swayamvara ceremony, he asks the Lord to take part in the same. When King Janaka heard about the Lord, being son of King Dasharatha, taking part in ceremony, he became joyful.

On the day of the ceremonial performance of Swayamvara, when all the princes failed to even lift the Pinaka, Lord Rama arrived and lifted it, shocking all others and pleasing Sita. After lifting it, the Lord strung the bow tightly and as the Pinaka broke apart. King Janaka became blissful and considered himself to be the most fortunate father to have found an ideal man for his daughter. The entire Mithila, King Janaka’s kingdom, fell into the boundless joy as Sita was going to live with a prince who was sought by thousand other women.

Today people especially the devotees of Lord Rama celebrate the Lord’s marriage as Vivah Panchami on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha in the Margashirsha month (Nov-Dec). The day is observed as the Vivah Utsav of Sita and Rama in temples and sacred places.

Sita Navami 2025: How to Celebrate? - Sita Navami Puja Vidhi and Fasting Rules

• Take bath before sunrise on the day of Sita Navami. You may chant the mantra dedicated to Holy Rivers while bathing.
  'Ganga Cha Yamuna Chaiva Godavari Saraswati,
  Narmada Sindhu Kaveri Jalesmin Sannidhim Kuru'
• 'In this water, I invoke the presence of divine waters from the rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.”
• Fasting should start at sunrise on the day of Sita Navami. You can just be drinking water throughout the day. If this is difficult, you can have a simple meal including milk, fruits nuts and dried fruits. The next day morning you can break the fast (Parana) by having a sip of water.
• You may visit a Rama Sita temple and offer prayers. If a temple is not around, you can worship the Divine couple at your home in the early morning. The deity of Lord Rama and Sita should be worshipped with sandalwood, flowers, fruits and dhoop .
• One can simply meditate on Lord Rama and Sita.
• Reciting or hearing the Sita Navami Vrat Katha before breaking the fast is meritorious.
• You can also perform a Rama Sita Puja (Ramayana Patha) under qualified Brahmins. It is a highly recommended activity on this day. Also you can do Rama Puja Mantra Japa And Yajna. It includes Ram Raksha Stotra, Ram mantra Japa, Ram Homa and Yajna and Aarti
• You can wear a Twelve Mukhi Rudraksha bead as it is ruled by Lord Rama
• Wearing these Rudraksha beads on this day purifies your inner self and strengthens your will power.

Benefits Of Sita Navami

The auspicious occasion of Mata Janki Jayanti or Sita Navami is mostly observed by married women. The importance of Sita Navami is because Sita Devi is believed to be a form of Goddess Lakshmi, observing a fast that day, praying to Sita Devi brings blessings of Goddess Sita and Goddess Lakshmi.

• Married women observe the Sita Navami Vrat meticulously and pray to Sita Devi for the safety, happiness, long life and overall well being of their husbands on this day and are granted their wish.
• Sita Mata Jayanti can bring the blessings of motherhood, if the devotee is finding it difficult to conceive or if there are problems in child birth.
• Mother Earth is also worshipped on the day of Janki Jayanti as Sita Devi is associated with Mother Earth, ushering Her blessings. As Mother Earth holds many gifts to bestow on Her devotees, it gives benefits of prosperity, wealth and abundance.
• Devotees who sincerely worship or do Puja of Lord Rama and Sita together on Janki Navami get the blessing of marital bliss and happiness.
• Sita Devi bestows the qualities of modesty, sacrifice and other virtues on Her devotees when Sita Jayanti rituals are followed and fast is observed on this pious day.
• Lord Rama's blessings too are received by those who observe Sita Navami and pray on this day.
• Married women and those about to get married get the blessing of being an ideal wife, just like Sita Devi.

Sita Navami Mantra

Om Shree Sitaye Namah