Janakpur gears up for Bibaha Panchami

Preparations are in full swing in Mithilanchal in Nepal's Janakpur region for the upcoming Bibaha Panchami celebrations - observed traditionally to celebrate the marriage of Lord Ram and Sita.

"Bibaha Panchami is one of the festivals celebrated with great zeal. This tradition of celebrating Lord Ram and Sita's marriage has been followed for a long time. Every year thousands of pilgrims come here to be part of the festivities. We have been celebrating this festival for a week annually, in which thousands of people including saints, priests and pilgrims come here as Barati," Deputy Mahanta of the Janaki Temple Ram Roshan Das said.

"This year's biggest achievement is the participation of the representatives from Nepal and Indian governments as 'Baratis' during this spiritual and cultural festival," Das added.

With less than two weeks left for the marriage ceremony, tourists and pilgrims from India and Nepal have started gathering in the premises and around Janakpur.

The week-long marriage celebrations will formally start from December 7, and will conclude on December 13.

The first day of the ceremony will witness the Janakpur Nagar Darshan, the second day is observed with the Fulbari Leela, the third day as Dhanus Yagya, the fourth day as Tilakotsav, the fifth day as Matkor and the sixth is for the engagement and marriage ceremonies.

The ceremony will be attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, in addition to priests and heads of various temples.

"On the occasion of Bibaha Panchami, our neighbouring country, India's, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is 100 per cent sure to attend," Federal Minister for Internal Affairs and Law from Province No. 2, Gyanendra Kumar Yadav, told ANI.

The Federal Government of Province 2 has already started preparations for welcoming the guests and has allocated five million Nepali Rupees for the function.