Vivah Panchami / Ram Vivah
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh · fair
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Vivah Panchami, celebrated in Ayodhya as Ram Vivah, is the luminous annual commemoration of the divine marriage of Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita. It falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, also called Agrahayana — usually late November or early December in the Gregorian calendar. On this tithi the Ramayana records that the celestial couple were wed at Janakpur in the ancient land of Mithila, and across the Ram-bhakti world the day is kept as a wedding anniversary of the Lord and his consort, observed with the same tenderness a family gives its own auspicious nuptials.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Ram Rasoi / Amawa Ram Mandir bhandara (near Ram Janmabhoomi) – free, pure-vegetarian sattvik meals served to pilgrims; entirely veg, confirm serving hours on arrival.
- ✦Temple-lane stalls around Kanak Bhawan and Hanuman Garhi – hot kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi and puja prasad; this is a strictly vegetarian pilgrim quarter, though hygiene varies stall to stall.
- ✦Ayodhya bazaar sweet shops – traditional peda, khurchan and laddoo counters serving pure-veg mithai and prasad; pick a busy, freshly-frying stall.
- ✦Local pure-veg bhojanalayas near the parikrama route – simple thali meals; being Ayodhya's holy core these are vegetarian, but confirm 'shudh shakahari' at the counter before ordering.
About
Vivah Panchami, celebrated in Ayodhya as Ram Vivah, is the luminous annual commemoration of the divine marriage of Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita. It falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, also called Agrahayana — usually late November or early December in the Gregorian calendar.
- On this tithi the Ramayana records that the celestial couple were wed at Janakpur in the ancient land of Mithila, and across the Ram-bhakti world the day is kept as a wedding anniversary of the Lord and his consort, observed with the same tenderness a family gives its own auspicious nuptials.
- In Ayodhya the devotional heart of the festival is Kanak Bhawan — the golden palace traditionally gifted to Sita by Queen Kaikeyi as a bridal home.
- Through the Vivah Panchami days its sanctum is transformed into a jewelled wedding hall: the deities are dressed in resplendent bridal shringar, garlanded and adorned in gold, and a decorated mandap (wedding canopy) is raised for the symbolic marriage rites.
- Priests and devotees sing the lilting Vivah-geet and mangal-charan (auspicious wedding songs), conches sound, and the atmosphere brims with the joy of a household hosting a wedding.
- Many temples along the parikrama route echo the celebration with kirtan, jhanki (tableaux) and continuous Ramcharitmanas recitation.
- A cherished feature is the shobha yatra or Ram Barat — a festive procession that winds through the lanes, sometimes linking Ayodhya symbolically with Janakpurdham in Mithila, from where a traditional yatra arrives to honour the bride's side of the family.
- Caparisoned processions, folk musicians and jubilant devotees carry the mood of a real baraat, while elders narrate the balkand episodes of the wedding to children along the way.
- For pilgrims, Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy town, and the festival is inseparable from its food of devotion.
- Free bhandaras and the Ram Rasoi serve simple sattvik meals to all comers, while temple-lane stalls offer hot kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi, and Ayodhya's famous peda and khurchan as prasad.
- Come with folded hands, unhurried feet and an appetite for both darshan and the sweetness of the day.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Ram Vivah celebrations centred on Kanak Bhawan, Tulsi Nagar, near Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, 224123
How to Reach: Celebrations centre on Kanak Bhawan, a short walk from Ram Janmabhoomi in the temple core of Ayodhya. From Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station it is about 2 km (auto-rickshaw ₹40–70, 10 minutes); from Ayodhya Airport (Maharishi Valmiki International) about 12–15 km by taxi (₹400–600, 30–40 minutes). During the festival the inner lanes are pedestrianised, so expect to walk the final stretch; e-rickshaws shuttle pilgrims from parking points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vivah Panchami and why is it celebrated in Ayodhya?
Vivah Panchami, known in Ayodhya as Ram Vivah, marks the sacred wedding day of Bhagwan Rama and Mata Sita. According to the Ramayana the divine couple were married on this tithi, so devotees celebrate it as their wedding anniversary. Ayodhya, as Rama's birthplace and city, keeps the day with special joy — dressing the deities in bridal finery, raising a wedding mandap at Kanak Bhawan, and holding festive processions.
When does Vivah Panchami / Ram Vivah fall each year?
It is observed on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Margashirsha, also called Agrahayana. In the Gregorian calendar this usually falls in late November or early December. The exact date shifts each year with the lunar calendar, so confirm the current year's date before planning your visit.
Where in Ayodhya are the main Ram Vivah celebrations held?
The devotional focus is Kanak Bhawan, the golden palace traditionally associated with Mata Sita, where a wedding mandap is set up and the deities receive resplendent bridal shringar. Temples along the parikrama route — including Hanuman Garhi and shrines near Ram Janmabhoomi — join in with kirtan, tableaux and continuous Ramayana recitation, and a festive procession winds through the lanes.
Is there any entry fee for the Ram Vivah celebrations?
No, there is no entry fee. Kanak Bhawan and the other temples are open to all devotees free of charge, and the festival's processions and aartis are public. Photography rules vary temple to temple and are often restricted inside sanctums during the festival, so look for signs or ask a priest before taking pictures.
What food is available during the festival, and is it vegetarian?
Ayodhya is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free holy town, so all festival food is pure-veg. Free bhandaras and the Ram Rasoi serve simple sattvik meals to pilgrims, while temple-lane stalls offer kachori-sabzi, dahi-jalebi and Ayodhya's well-loved peda and khurchan as prasad. Choose busy, freshly-cooked stalls for the best hygiene.
How should visitors plan for and behave during Vivah Panchami?
Arrive a day early if you can, to see the mandap and shringar being prepared and to avoid the peak-day rush. Dress modestly, remove shoes before entering temples, and observe quietly during the wedding rituals and aarti. Expect the inner lanes to be pedestrianised and crowded on the main day, so travel light, carry water, and keep to the e-rickshaw and walking routes from designated parking points.