Nepal celebrates Sita Utpatti Diwas with devotion and worship in Kathmandu

In Kathmandu, the nation is observing the birth anniversary of national luminary Sita with devotion and worship on the occasion of Sita Utpatti Diwas, celebrated annually on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Baisakh.

According to the Ramayana and other Vedic scriptures and Puranas, Sita emerged when King Janak of Mithila was performing a grand yajna and ploughing the field as part of the ritual in the Treta Yuga.

Religious scholar Toyaraj Nepal explains that various texts describe Sita as an incarnation of Lakshmi, born when Lord Vishnu incarnated as Shri Ram, the son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya.

Sita is revered as a symbol of truthfulness, fidelity, and the ideal woman. She was married to Prince Ram, the son of King Dasharath of Ayodhya. Despite being abducted by Ravan, Sita did not abandon her fidelity to her husband, as mentioned in the Puranas. After Ram’s victory over Ravan and his return to Ayodhya, Sita chose to leave her position as queen and went into exile, even while pregnant, to prevent any public scandal from affecting King Ram. This act further cemented her status as an ideal woman.

Even after leaving Ayodhya, Sita remained devoted to Ram in her thoughts, words, and actions. She raised her two sons, Lav and Kush, at Valmiki’s hermitage, ensuring they received a comprehensive education before returning them to Ayodhya. This dedication has earned Sita respect among all women, according to scholar Nepal.

When Lav and Kush arrived in Ayodhya, they recounted the story of the Ramayana and the sorrowful tale of Sita’s unjust exile. In response to public demand, Sita was summoned to the court with Sage Valmiki. Although many in Ayodhya welcomed her, some questioned her purity. In response, Sita invoked Mother Earth to take her back if she was indeed pure, and she disappeared into the earth, as described in Vedic texts.

Though the people who questioned her later sought forgiveness, the story of Sita’s return to the earth is recorded in the Ramayana and other religious texts. Despite her emergence, the day is celebrated as Sita Jayanti across the country with special worship at Ram-Janaki temples.

In Janakpur, the Ram-Janaki temple hosts a special fair and worship ceremony. Remembering Sita’s contributions as a cultural, religious, and epic figure, the government honors her as a national luminary.