Vivaah Panchami

विवाह पञ्चमी

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Carnival & ParadeJanakpur
Dates14–16 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesJanakpur is revered in Hindu tradition as
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: NPR
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Vivaah Panchami in Janakpur

Vivaah Panchami is a week-long Hindu festival in Janakpur that reenacts the wedding of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, held on the fifth day of the waxing moon in the month of Mangsir. Centered on the Janaki Mandir, Sita's traditional birthplace, the celebration draws Vaishnav pilgrims from across Nepal and India, including groups from Ayodhya, for processions, devotional music and a formal wedding ceremony.

According to the Ramayana, King Janak of Mithila found an infant girl while ploughing a ritual field near what is now Janakpur, and raised her as his daughter Sita.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Janakpur is revered in Hindu tradition as the capital of ancient Mithila and the birthplace of Goddess Sita, making it the one place where the Ramayana's central marriage can be marked at its source rather than merely retold

02

The mystery stays covered

The Janaki Mandir itself is a rare architectural fusion of Mughal and Rajput styles, its garden holding a dedicated Vivah Mandap built to commemorate the union

03

The city starts moving

In recent years organizers have added a Tilakotsav ceremony before the main wedding rites, formally welcoming Ram into Sita's family with tilak materials sent from the temple's Raj Mahal, a detail that ties the modern festival directly to Mithila court custom

04

The water draws everyone in

Pilgrims from India's Ayodhya region cross the border specifically for this event, giving Vivaah Panchami a cross-border devotional character shared by few other Nepali festivals

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival reenacts the Vedic wedding rites of Ram and Sita as described in the Ramayana

Water and renewal

Living ritual

treating Janakpur as the literal site of the union rather than a symbolic stand-in

The sacred route

Living ritual

Maithili Brahmin priests conduct the ceremony using traditional Mithila wedding customs

The local code

Living ritual

including the Tilakotsav that formally proposes the match before the main vivah rites

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The event affirms Janakpur's status as a shared Hindu pilgrimage center for both Nepali Maithils and Indian devotees from Ayodhya and other Ram-centered pilgrimage towns

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

14–16 December 2026

Getting around

For Vivaah Panchami, plan transport around the exact Janakpur venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest dress is required inside the Janaki Mandir complex: shoulders and knees covered, and footwear removed before entering shrine areas. Many pilgrims wear traditional dhoti, kurta or...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Vivaah Panchami, stay near the part of Janakpur you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

NPR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map26.73 N, 85.93 EOpen in Google Maps

Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal

Nearest airportKTM — Tribhuvan
TransportFor Vivaah Panchami, plan transport around the exact Janakpur venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Vivaah Panchami, stay near the part of Janakpur you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Janakpur via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Janakpur, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearModest dress is required inside the Janaki Mandir complex: shoulders and knees covered, and footwear removed before entering shrine areas. Many pilgrims wear traditional dhoti, kurta or saree; red and yellow are auspicious colors for the season. Comfortable closed shoes are useful for the crowded, uneven temple courtyards outside the shrine itself.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Nepal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Vivaah Panchami?

Vivaah Panchami is listed for 14–16 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Vivaah Panchami take place?

The festival is listed in Janakpur, Nepal. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Janakpur, Madhesh Province, Nepal

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLntb.gov.np
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates14–16 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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