We all know about Ram Navami and how it is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in India. But little did you know that Sita Navami too is a festival in India? Yes, Sita Navami is a sacred Hindu observance that celebrates the birth of Goddess Sita. It is a deeply spiritual occasion, and this year it will be celebrated on April 25, 2026. From significance to puja vidhi, here’s everything you must know about Sita Navami 2026.
All About Sita Navami 2026
Sita Navami 2026 Tithi Timings
Sita Navami, also known as Janaki Navami, is celebrated on the ninth day or tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Vaishakh. This year, there has been a lot of confusion regarding the date of the Sita Navami celebration. The tithi for Sita Navami begins from 2:22 PM on April 24 and ends at 6:29 PM on April 25. So, according to the sunrise time or Udaya Tithi, the festival will be celebrated on April 25, 2026.
As Hindu rituals are aligned with the lunar energy, it is always spiritually beneficial to perform puja in the given shubh muhurat only. The most auspicious time to perform puja on Sita or Janaki Navami is known as the Madhyahna muhurat. This year, the Madhyahna muhurat will begin at 10:58 AM and will last till 1:38 PM.
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Significance Of Sita Navami
According to Hindu scriptures, a long time ago, King Janak from Mithila was asked to perform a sacrificial yagna to help the villagers with the problem of drought. While ploughing the land, he found a small girl child in the basket. The girl was named Sita, Bhumika, and Janak
Sita Navami is the celebration of the Goddess Sita’s embodiment of grace and resilience. She is known as the ideal wife, and it is believed that couples who worship her on this big day, will be blessed with loyalty and understanding.
Because she emerged from the Earth, she is closely associated with Bhumidevi or the Land Goddess. Hence, worshipping her blesses women with fertility, nourishment, stability, and energy. In spiritual practice, it is believed that Goddess Sita purifies your heart. Hence, working with her is said to help you with mental clarity and inner healing.
Sita Jayanti Puja Vidhi
- Wake up early in the morning, possibly in the brahmamuhurat, and clean the house.
- Take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- Clean the entire puja area or mandap.
- Now place an image or idol of Ram and Sita.
- Light a diya and burn incense sticks.
- Offer “solah shringar” or “16 shringar” to Goddess Sita.
- Also offer water, fruits, flowers, and sweets.
- Take sankalp or a sacred intention for fasting on this day. Take a spoonful of water with a flower in it. Pray to god and mention that you will be taking up this puja vrat.
- Perform aarti
- Chant “Om Sitaye Namah,” or “Om Sita Ramaya Namah,” or you can also recite Ramayana verses.
Sita Navami Fast Rules
Both married and unmarried women can observe fast on Sita Navami. These days, many men also observe this fast. You can either keep a “Nirjala” fast or the normal one.
People who observe Nirjala vrat or fast are not allowed to eat anything or even drink water until the end of the fast, sunset, or sometimes the next day. While the people who observe a normal fast can consume light food options like fruits, unsalted wafers, milk sabudana vada, and other sattvic food items.
Do not forget to chant the mantras as mentioned above for at least 108 times on Sita Navami.
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Summing Up
Sita Navami or Janaki Navami is the celebration of goddess Sita’s birth, and this year it will be celebrated on April 25. She is known as the embodiment of grace, strength, courage and love, so make sure you do not miss this opportunity of seeking her blessings.
