Sita

सीता

Janaki, daughter of the Earth: steadfast, dignified beloved of Rama

Sita, also called Janaki, Maithili and Siya, is the heroine of the Ramayana and the beloved consort of Rama. In the epic, King Janaka of Mithila finds her in a furrow while ploughing, so Bhumi, the Earth, is called her mother. She chooses Rama at her svayamvara, follows him into exile and stays steadfast through her time in Lanka.

Devotees turn to her for steadfastness, dignity and devotion. Many honour her as an incarnation of Lakshmi. The Ramanandi tradition reveres Sita-Rama as the Supreme couple, and Shakta texts see her as primordial Prakriti. Janakpur in Nepal and Punaura Dham near Sitamarhi in Bihar are both revered as her birthplace. She is celebrated at Vivah Panchami and Sita Navami.

See the gallery

Sita in exile, early 20th century. Wikimedia Commons (public domain), Ravi Varma Press

How to recognise Sita

SariA red or yellow (turmeric-gold) sari with a gold border, with the end cloth draped over one shoulder or lightly over the head, shows her as a graceful, modest princess.
Pink lotusThe lotus, held at her heart or at her side, is her symbol; in Rama-durbar paintings the couple hold lotuses.
Gold jewellery and small crownA small gold crown or head ornament, necklace, earrings and bangles mark her royal birth, simpler than Rama's own crown.
Lowered eyesHer calm, softly downcast gaze and dignified bearing are how sculptors treat her in temple images, showing quiet strength.
Place beside RamaIn standing temple and bronze groups she stands to Rama's left and is shown smaller than he is, as one half of the pair Sita-Rama.
RamaRama appears with dark blue skin and a tall crown, taller than Sita; in the Rama-durbar, Lakshmana stands behind them and Hanuman kneels at their feet.
Solo imageAt Janaki Mandir in Janakpur she is honoured alone in a golden idol, showing that she is worshipped in her own right.

Names and titles

Janaki, Daughter of JanakaJanaki is her name as the daughter of King Janaka of Mithila
Maithili, Princess of MithilaMaithili, 'of Mithila', is one of her best-known names
Bhumija, Born of the EarthShe is called the daughter of Bhumi, the Earth, after the furrow in which she was found
The Garland at MithilaAt her svayamvara she garlanded Rama as her chosen husband

Feast days

Vivah Panchami14 December 2026

Vivah Panchami keeps the wedding of Sita and Rama, as told in the Ramayana tradition, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Margashirsha. It is the same celebration as the other Vivah Panchami entry in this list.
How it's celebrated. Janakpur in Nepal is the main centre. Pilgrims gather at Janaki Mandir and the Vivah Mandap, where images of Rama and Sita are brought for a symbolic wedding. A procession representing Rama's wedding party arrives from Ayodhya, and a bow-breaking enactment is also held. Rites run over several days, with bhajans and decorated streets.
Sources: Wikipedia: Vivaha Panchami · Wikipedia: Janaki Mandir · Annapurna Express: Revisiting the glory of Janakpur
Janaki Jayanti (Sita Ashtami)28 February 2027

Janaki Jayanti, also called Sita Ashtami, is kept by many devotees as the birthday or appearance day of Sita, whom Vaishnava tradition honours as Lakshmi. Sita Navami, also in this list, honours her appearance on a different day.
How it's celebrated. Devotees fast and set up a decorated mandap with images of Sita, Rama, King Janaka and a plough. They offer flowers, fruit and prasad and chant Sita mantras. Married women often fast for their husbands' wellbeing. Calendars differ: the north Indian system places it in Phalguna and the Amanta system in Magha, but both keep the same day.
Sources: Drik Panchang: Janaki Jayanti · SheThePeople: Janaki Jayanti · LatestLY: Janaki Jayanti rituals
Sita Navami (Sita Jayanti)14 May 2027

Sita Navami, also called Sita Jayanti or Janaki Navami, honours the appearance of Sita from the Earth. In the Ramayana tradition she is found by King Janaka in a furrow of a field in Mithila. Janaki Jayanti, also in this list, is another day for her birthday.
How it's celebrated. Devotees fast, offer puja and recite the Ramayana and other tellings. At Punaura Dham near Sitamarhi in Bihar, regional tradition places her appearance, and thousands visit on this day. The Sitamarhi Dham Parikrama, a 19-day circuit carrying a decorated palanquin of Janaki, ends on Janaki Navami. Janakpur in Nepal is also honoured as her birthplace.
Sources: Wikipedia: Sita Navami · Sitamarhi District: Punaura Dham · Wikipedia: Sitamarhi Dham Parikrama