Organized by Mithila Center (AKA Mithila Art & Culture Center, USA), the grand celebration of ever first the historic greatest Hindu festival-Vivah Panchami first of its kind in America held on December 18-19, 2020. The celebration of this auspicious festival of sacred marriage of Lord Ram with Goddess Sita symbolizes and promotes tolerance, cultural harmony and friendship among peoples across the world.
Vivah Panchami celebration signifies the unshakable human-bonding, regardless of hardships faced in life by people. Such cultural value instills through generations of centuries remaining together in the form of a family, not only two individuals, but also the societies and the countries as well. This auspicious occasion has fostered such value of family and relations across societies on the bases of humanity, equality, respect, and honor to each other, irrespective of race, religion, color, caste, gender. We have therefore made efforts to promote such sacrosanct values by commemorating the eternal marriage of Lord Ram (Ayodhya, India) and Goddess Sita (Janakpurdham, capital of ancient Mithila Kingdom, Nepal). Hundreds of thousands of people from around the world, mostly from India, do pilgrimage on this very auspicious occasion to Ram Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham, which is under the tentative list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
We are passing through for some months a very unusual time due to Covid-19 pandemic. We firmly believe that celebration of this auspicious occasion would not only help to alleviate our pain and agony but also bring our community together with more strength and power of courtesy, patience, and harmony along with hope for peace and prosperity. This Vivah Panchami Festival America celebration program included prayers ceremony at Hindu Center Temple, in compliance with NYC’s guidelines for public health safety and social distancing at the front, live broadcast of Vivah Panchami Celebration performance being held in historical Janaki Temple in Janakpurdham, the venue of nuptial ceremony of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita, held thousands of years ago, virtual presence and remarks/greeting by government officials/dignitaries of Nepal, India and USA followed by cultural performances by renowned artists from Nepal, India and USA.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all distinguished guest/speakers, performers, volunteers, organizing team members and all others stakeholders for support and participation to make this historical program grand success.
We firmly believe your continuous support and participation on this auspicious occasion would not only motivate us in further promoting such cultural values of humanity but also encourage millions of people around the world to preserve and protect their cultural heritage and tradition regardless of their domicile. Thank you.
With warmest regards,
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Amit Shah
Organizer, Vivah Panchami Festival America, 2020
Founder & President
Mithila Center / Mithila Festival, USA
