Kathmandu, December 4 President Bidhya Devi Bhandari said religious and cultural festivals like Bibaha Panchami help in consolidating mutual harmony, goodwill, and tolerance among people of different religions, cultures, communities, and regions. In a message given on Bibaha Panchami festival today, the president stated that the festival had provided an opportunity to the people of Nepal and India to renew and deepen the bond of cultural ties. The Head of State also said that the festival contributes in consolidating and deepening the centuries-old relations between the people of Nepal and India while strengthening mutual goodwill, brotherhood, social amity, and tolerance among Nepalis. The president has extended hearty best wishes to all people in the context of the celebration of Bibaha Panchami, especially to those of the Mithila community and people living in Tarai. Bibaha Panchami commemorates the marriage of Ram and Sita. Legend has it that Sita was born out of Earth and adopted by the sage king Janak of the ancient state of Mithila, the present-day Janakpurdham.