Every year, Vaishakh Shukla Navami is celebrated as Sita Navami, marking the divine appearance of Maa Sita. According to Hindu belief, it was on this auspicious day that King Janaka discovered Sita while plowing the earth, and accepted her as his daughter. Hence, this date is revered as both Sita Navami and Janaki Navami. According to the Hindu calendar, Sita Navami 2025 falls on the ninth day (Navami) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakh, which this year will be observed on May 5. On this sacred day, devotees honor the birth of Mother Sita, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and the consort of Lord Rama, who himself is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
It is believed that fasting on this day grants the merit equivalent to that of performing sixteen great donations (Shodasha Mahadan). Devotees, especially couples hoping for children, are encouraged to fast or give in charity, following in the footsteps of King Janaka, who rejoiced and donated generously after receiving Sita as a divine blessing.
The Mythological Story of Sita’s Appearance
As narrated in the Valmiki Ramayana, a severe drought once struck the kingdom of Mithila. King Janaka, deeply troubled by the suffering of his people, sought guidance from a great sage. The sage advised him to perform a yagna and to plow the sacrificial ground as part of the ritual. Obeying the sage’s words, King Janaka began plowing the earth. Suddenly, the tip of the plow struck something. Upon investigation, Janaka found a beautifully adorned box buried in the soil. Inside lay a divine newborn girl. Since he had no children of his own, Janaka sought permission from the sage to adopt her. The sage confirmed that this was a divine blessing from the earth goddess and encouraged him to raise the child as his own.
Because the girl was discovered from the furrowed earth, she was named Sita, a name derived from the Sanskrit word for the plowed field. Being the daughter of Janaka, she was also called Janaki, and as the princess of Mithila, she came to be known as Maithili. However, the name Sita became the most revered and enduring.
Alternate Beliefs
Some mythological texts also suggest another origin: that Sita was originally Vedavati, reborn as the daughter of Ravana and Mandodari, destined to be the cause of Ravana’s destruction. Regardless of the version, her presence is universally associated with the triumph of dharma and restoration of cosmic balance.
The Spiritual Practice
With Sita’s arrival, prosperity and peace returned to Mithila. King Janaka celebrated with joy and performed sixteen kinds of charity, expressing his gratitude to the divine. Devotees today commemorate this occasion by fasting, offering prayers to Lord Rama and Sita, and performing acts of charity in hopes of receiving blessings—particularly for children, happiness, and peace in the household.