Festival guide
Vivah Panchami
Vivah Panchami, the fifth day of the bright half of Margashirsha, celebrates the wedding of Rama and Sita.
Vivah Panchami dates
| Year | Date | Tithi and its timings |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday 14 December | Margashirsha Shukla Panchami 13 Dec, 16:48 → 14 Dec, 19:16 |
| 2027 | Friday 3 December | Margashirsha Shukla Panchami 2 Dec, 13:44 → 3 Dec, 16:13 |
Dates for New Delhi, India; times in Asia/Kolkata. Observed by the rule: tithi at sunrise.
Also known as: Sita–Ram Vivah.
Story and significance
At Sita’s swayamvara in Mithila, only Rama could lift and string Shiva’s mighty bow, and King Janaka gave Sita to him in marriage.
How Vivah Panchami is celebrated
- Re-enactments of the divine wedding in temples, especially in Janakpur (Nepal) and Ayodhya
- Recitation of the Ramcharitmanas wedding chapter
- In some regions, families avoid weddings on this day out of reverence for Sita’s later hardships
Recite on Vivah Panchami: Shri Ramachandra Kripalu Bhaju Man
Customs vary between regions, communities and families. Please follow the guidance of your family priest or local temple for rituals and timings.
Frequently asked questions
When is Vivah Panchami 2026?
Vivah Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 14 December 2026, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
When is Vivah Panchami 2027?
Vivah Panchami 2027 falls on Friday, 3 December 2027, for New Delhi. Choose your city above to see the date for your location.
Why does the date of Vivah Panchami change every year?
Vivah Panchami is fixed by the lunar calendar — the Shukla Paksha tithi 5 of Margashirsha (amanta calendar) — not the Gregorian calendar. Lunar months drift against solar dates, so the festival moves by up to a few weeks from year to year.
Can Vivah Panchami fall on different dates in India and abroad?
Yes. The rule depends on the tithi at a particular time of day at your location, so a tithi that begins just before sunrise in India may begin after sunrise in North America, moving the observance by a day.