Sita Navami 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Married Women: Married women observe this fast and worship Mata Sita for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands and for a harmonious family life (Saubhagya).
• Devotees of Shri Ram and Sita: Families who revere the Divine Couple keep this vrat to seek virtue, patience, and peace in the home.
• Unmarried Girls: Young women pray to Mata Sita for a good and devoted life partner.

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: The bath and the Sankalp (solemn vow) are done early, during Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hour), before the fast begins.
• Puja Muhurat: The main puja is done at Madhyahna (midday), the time Mata Sita is believed to have appeared. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Closing the Day: Aarti is offered in the evening, and the fast is broken after the puja is complete (families differ on whether the fast is broken that evening or the next morning).

About the Festival

Sita Navami, also known as Janaki Navami, is a deeply revered observance celebrated across India, especially in Mithila and Ayodhya, marking the appearance of Mata Sita. It takes place on the Navami (ninth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Birth of Mata Sita)

Long ago, in the kingdom of Mithila, there ruled a wise and righteous king named Janaka. Though he was a great ruler, he and his queen were without a child, and the land was passing through hard times.

At the counsel of the sages, King Janaka prepared to perform a sacred yajna and to plough the earth of the sacrificial ground with his own hands, so that the land might be blessed and prosperity return to his kingdom.

The sages advised him: "O King, when you plough the field with a pure heart and full devotion, the Divine Mother Earth will bless your kingdom and your household." King Janaka followed their words with deep faith and began to plough the sacred field.

As the golden plough touched the earth, it struck a casket lying in the furrow (Sita). Inside lay a radiant baby girl. Overjoyed, King Janaka and Queen Sunayana accepted her as the gift of Mother Earth and named her Sita, meaning "the furrow." She grew up to become Janaki, the beloved daughter of Mithila, and the devoted wife of Shri Ram. Since that day, devotees observe Sita Navami to honour her as the ideal of purity, patience, and devotion.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the midday puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Shri Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana, along with Hanuman Ji if available
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Kumkum, Haldi, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A Kalash or small vessel filled with fresh water, with mango leaves
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Kheer, Halwa, fruits, and Panchamrit
• Devotional Accessories: Flowers, Tulsi leaves, sacred thread (kalava), and Sindoor with bangles and red cloth for Mata Sita (Suhag Samagri)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably yellow, red, or pink; avoid wearing black).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Sita, today I observe this fast with pure devotion for the wellbeing of my family. Bless me with patience, virtue, and a peaceful home."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day, taking only fruits and water if needed (families differ in how strictly the fast is kept).

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Late Morning)

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) of your home or the place of worship.
2. Place a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean red or yellow cloth, and set the pictures or idols of Shri Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshmana on it.
3. Place a Kalash filled with water, topped with mango leaves and a coconut, beside the Chowki.

Step 3: Performing the Midday Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the Divine Couple.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to Shri Ram and Mata Sita.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves, and tie a piece of Kalava (sacred thread) on the Kalash.
4. Offering Suhag Samagri: Offer Sindoor, bangles, and a red cloth to Mata Sita, then place the Naivedya of Kheer, Halwa, and fruits before the deities.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Sita Navami Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, sprinkle the held grains near the feet of the deities.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayers

1. Perform the Janaki Aarti along with the Aarti of Shri Ram, using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Recite the Sita Chalisa or chant "Shri Sitayai Namah" and the names of Shri Ram and Sita with a calm mind.
3. Bow before the Divine Couple and pray for the happiness and harmony of your household.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the Prasad among your family members, and offer the Suhag Samagri to a married woman if you wish.
3. Break your fast by partaking in the Prasad and a simple sattvic meal.