What is Sita Navami?
Sita Navami, also known as Janaki Navami, is a festival celebrated with deep devotion and reverence in Sanatan Dharma. It marks the divine appearance day of Goddess Sita, the consort of Lord Shri Ram. Every year, Sita Navami is celebrated on the Navami (ninth day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Vaishakh. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Sita incarnated on Earth. Mata Sita is considered an embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi; therefore, worshipping Maa Lakshmi on this day is also regarded as highly auspicious and brings her blessings. Performing the worship of Mata Sita on this day is believed to bring happiness and peace to married life, ensuring prosperity and well-being of offspring. Devotees perform special prayers and rituals on this day to seek blessings of happiness, prosperity, and peace from Goddess Sita. Married women observe this fast praying for the protection of their marital bliss and for the blessing of children. It is believed that women who observe this fast with full devotion and proper rituals are blessed by Mata Sita with offspring and eternal good fortune.
Goddess Sita is regarded as the daughter of the Earth, as she appeared from the soil while King Janaka was ploughing the field. Hence, this day is considered highly auspicious in remembrance of the divine incarnation of Mother Earth.
The festival of Sita Navami is especially dedicated to the worship of Goddess Sita, seeking her blessings for happiness, prosperity, and peace in the household. Through the observance of this sacred day, devotees pray for stability in married life, the blessing of children, and overall abundance.
Sita Navami 2025: When is Janaki Navami?
Sita Navami, also known as Janaki Navami, is celebrated every year on the Navami (ninth day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Vaishakh. This date falls about one month after the birth of Lord Shri Ram. While Lord Shri Ram was born on the Navami Tithi of the Chaitra month, Goddess Sita’s birth is celebrated on the Navami Tithi of Vaishakh month. On this day, devotees worship Goddess Sita to seek blessings of everlasting marital bliss, love, prosperity, and patience.
In 2025, the festival of Sita Navami will be celebrated with great enthusiasm on May 5, 2025. This day is not only a religious occasion but also a wonderful opportunity to invoke happiness, peace, and prosperity in life. On this day, devotees especially worship and honor Goddess Sita, admiring her extraordinary courage, patience, and sacrifice.
Sita Navami Puja Muhurat
On Sita Navami 2025, following the auspicious timing (Muhurat) for worship is considered highly beneficial. Performing the Puja with proper rituals on this day bestows immense spiritual merit.
The special Muhurat for worshipping Goddess Sita is as follows:
Navami Tithi Begins: May 5, 2025, at 7:37 AM
Navami Tithi Ends: May 6, 2025, at 8:40 AM
Puja Timings: May 5, 2025, from 6:08 AM to 7:45 AM and from 9:21 AM to 10:58 AM
Abhijit Muhurat: May 5, 2025, from 12:10 PM to 1:00 PM
Sita Navami Puja Vidhi (Procedure)
- Wake up early in the morning, take a holy bath, and wear clean and sacred clothes.
- Take a vow (Sankalp) to observe the fast and meditate upon Goddess Sita and Lord Shri Ram.
- Install idols or pictures of Goddess Sita, Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
- Offer yellow flowers, fruits, Tulsi leaves, incense, lamps, and Naivedya (sacred food offering) during the worship.
- During the Sita Navami Puja Muhurat, listen to or recite the Vrat Katha (the sacred story related to the fast).
- While meditating upon Goddess Sita, recite the Shri Ramcharitmanas or the Sundarkand.
- Donate to Brahmins according to your capacity and offer meals to young girls (Kanya Bhoj).
- Observe a full-day fast or consume only fruits (Phalahar).
The Glory of Goddess Sita’s Vrat: A Story
In ancient times, there lived a Brahmin named Devadatta in a small village. He was a great scholar of the Vedas and scriptures and would go to neighboring villages to seek alms for his livelihood. His wife, Shobhana, was extremely beautiful and devoted to her husband.
One day, while Devadatta had gone to another village for alms, Shobhana fell into bad company. Gradually, she became so engrossed in her bad associations that her misconduct became the talk of the entire village. Angered and frustrated, she eventually set the entire village on fire. Tragically, Shobhana herself perished in the flames.
Due to her sinful deeds—setting the village on fire and falling into bad company—she was reborn afflicted with leprosy and blindness. Her condition was so miserable that she could hardly find food and often remained hungry. One day, tormented by hunger, she reached another village. It happened to be the sacred day of Sita Navami, the ninth day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Vaishakha.
Shobhana went door to door begging for food, but no one agreed to give her anything. Then, a kind man came out and said, “Today is Sita Navami. It is forbidden to give cooked food on this day. Come tomorrow, and you will receive the blessed food (Prasad).” Still, Shobhana pleaded and insisted. Moved by her condition, the man gave her a Tulsi (holy basil) leaf and some water.
Suffering from intense hunger, Shobhana consumed the Tulsi leaf and water and, shortly after, left her body. Miraculously, her simple act was considered a completion of the Sita Navami Vrat. Goddess Sita, deeply pleased, blessed her with liberation and a place in heaven.
By the divine grace of Goddess Sita, Shobhana was reborn as Queen Kamakala of the kingdom of Kamrup, the wife of King Jaysingh of Kaushalpur. It is said that whoever observes the Sita Navami Vrat with true devotion and faith will have all their desires fulfilled.
Benefits of observing the Sita Navami Vrat-
- Happiness, Love, and Harmony in Marital Life: Observing fast and performing worship on Sita Navami enhances happiness, love, and devotion in married life. Obstacles in marital life are removed, and sweetness and harmony prevail in relationships. Women observe this fast praying for the longevity and eternal good fortune of their husbands.
- Assistance in Attaining Offspring: This fast is considered highly fruitful for those desiring children. With the blessings of Goddess Sita, couples are blessed with the joy of offspring, bringing happiness and prosperity into their lives.
- Attainment of Fortune, Happiness, and Prosperity: Observing the fast increases fortune, happiness, and prosperity in life. With the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Sita, one attains wealth, abundance, and domestic bliss.
- Growth of Self-Restraint, Patience, and Purity: By following the ideals of Goddess Sita while observing the fast, virtues like self-restraint, patience, and purity are nurtured. Even in challenging times, one’s courage remains strong, and the mind stays calm.
- Destruction of Sins and Path to Liberation: Observing the fast with devotion leads to the destruction of sins accumulated over many lifetimes. The practitioner’s heart becomes pure, paving an easier path towards liberation (moksha).
- Special Benefits for Women: Married women receive the blessings of eternal good fortune (Akhand Saubhagya). The fast is considered highly effective for protecting marital happiness and for the blessing of children.
- Other Special Benefits: Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Sita Navami enhances wealth and prosperity at home. An atmosphere of peace, contentment, and love flourishes within the family.
Significance of Sita Navami
This festival symbolizes the ideals of feminine power, purity, and self-sacrifice. Observing a fast on this day leads to the eradication of all kinds of sins. It inspires the growth of patience, devotion, and purity in life. Fasting and worshipping on Sita Navami brings eternal good fortune, happiness, and prosperity into one’s life.
Sita Navami Mantras
Chanting the following mantras during the worship of Mata Sita is considered highly auspicious:
“Om Sitaye Namah”
or
“Om Shri Sita Ramaya Namah”
Reciting these mantras with devotion bestows the special blessings of Mata Sita.
Stotras for Sita Navami
Reciting the following stotras on the occasion of Sita Navami is considered highly auspicious:
- Sita Stuti
- Sita Sahasranama (Thousand Names of Sita)
- Sita Chalisa
- Sundarkand from the Ramayana
- Reading the episodes related to Mata Sita’s character from the Shri Ramcharitmanas is especially meritorious.
Through the recitation of these stotras, one can easily attain the blessings of Mata Sita.
How to Celebrate Sita Navami
- Take a ritual bath early in the morning and vow to observe the fast.
- Worship Lord Rama and Mata Sita with proper rituals.
- Recite the Sundarkand from the Ramayana.
- Donate food, clothes, and water to the needy.
- Observe the fast with mental purity and devotion.
- Participate in collective worship or religious programs.
FAQ
1. When was Mata Sita born?
Mata Sita was born on the Navami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakh. This day is celebrated with reverence as Sita Navami or Janaki Navami. Goddess Sita is considered the daughter of the Earth, who emerged from the ground while King Janak was plowing his fields.
2. When was Lord Ram born?
Lord Shri Ram was born on the Navami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Chaitra, which is celebrated as Ram Navami. According to the birthdate, Shri Ram was born approximately one month before Mata Sita.
3. Who is Mata Sita?
Mata Sita is the consort of Lord Shri Ram and is considered a symbol of purity, sacrifice, and dignity in Sanatan Dharma. She is regarded as the daughter of Mother Earth and is also known by names like Janaki, Vaidehi, and Bhoomiputri.
4. Is it Sita Navami or Sita Ashtami?
Mata Sita was born on Sita Navami, which falls on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakh. Sita Ashtami has no connection to Mata Sita’s birth. The correct date is indeed Navami.
5. Why is Sita Navami celebrated?
Sita Navami is celebrated as the birthday of Mata Sita. On this day, people remember her ideal character, sacrifice, patience, and feminine power, and draw inspiration from her virtues.
6. When is Mata Sita’s birthday?
Mata Sita was born on the ninth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakh. The date of her birth is determined every year according to the Panchang. In 2025, this day will fall on May 5th.
Source: https://www.sanatanjyoti.com/sita-navami
