Sri Janaki Jayanthi is ascribed to Sri Sita Devi, the wife of Sri Rama. It is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami of the Phalguna month. It occurs on Monday, 4th March 2024.
Sri Janaki Jayanthi is observed for the whole duration of the Ashtami Tithi. The exact duration has to be ascertained from the applicable regional calendar.
Sri Janaki Jayanthi – significance
Sri Janaka, the King of Mithila was a spiritual person and a scholar. He was a regular performer of Yagna / Homam for the welfare of his people.
One day, he was planning to plough his field prior to performing Yagna. He saw a girl child near the plough. He was surprised.
He considered the child as God’s gift to him. He took the child to his wife. She was elated. They had decided to adopt the child as their own daughter.
The child was named Sri Sita. As She is the daughter of Janaka, She is also called as Janaki. She is the reincarnation of Sri Maha Lakshmi. The day She was found near the plough is being considered as Sri Janaki Jayanthi.
Later Sri Sita Devi had married Bhagwan Rama.
Sri Janaki Jayanthi – how is it observed
-People get up early in the morning and take holy bath.
-At the puja place at home, a small mandap is set up. In the mandap, the vigrahas of Sri Rama, Sri Sita, Sri Janaka and a small plough are kept.
-The place is decked up with flowers.
-Sattvic food is prepared. The food and the fruits are offered as Neivedyam.
-Sri Sita Mantra is recited.
-At the Ram temples, bhajans are held. Discourses on Ramayana are arranged.
-In some places, the mandap with Sri Rama, Sri Sita, Sri Janaka and the plough is taken out in procession.
The other name for Sri Janaki Jayanti is Sri Sita Ashtami.
