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Sita Navami

 

Sita Navami

Sita Navami (also known Janki Navami or Sita Jayanti) is the birthday of Goddess Sita, one of the divine incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi. It is observed on Vaishakha Shukla Navami, the ninth day in the bright half of the month of Vaisakh.

 
Goddess Sita is the divine consort of Lord Shri Rama Chandra and is worshipped by millions who pay homage to her pativratam - her unfailing devotion to her husband. As such, it is the most important day for married Hindu women in the country. On this day, they observe fasts and pray to Sita Devi to grant their husbands long lives. Lord Rama and Sita Devi are also prayed together, for the prosperity of the family and for peace and happiness in marriage. Devotees including men and women, also recite the Ramayana during Janaki Mata Jayanthi.
 
Mata Sita’s abduction by Ravana and her subsequent rescue by Lord Ram, Lakshman, Hanuman and Vanar Sena is the central theme of the Ramayana. Sita is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and is worshipped in temples dedicated to Lord Ram. 
 
So powerful was Sita’s chastity that even though she was carried away by Ravana and kept imprisoned, Ravana could never reach near her as she kept meditating on Lord Ram; and the energy she created out of meditation was powerful enough to burn to death anyone who approached her without her permission.
 
When she was rescued, Mata Sita asserted her purity by undergoing ordeal by fire. But eventually Lord Ram had to banish her from Ayodhya as his subjects questioned Her purity. 
 
She spend the rest of her life in the forest and gave birth to Kusha and Lava. Finally, she called upon her Mother Earth, to swallow her up. She returned in the same way, She was born. 
 
For centuries the life of Mata Sita has been an inspiration for millions of women. Thousands of books have been return on her life and equating it with condition of women in each century. Today, Her life is discussed all around the world and more and more women are identifying themselves with her.