Panguni Uthiram

Panguni Uthiram, or Paiguni Uttaram, is an important Tamil festival observed in the Tamil month of Panguni (March – April). In 2012, Panguni Uthiram is celebrated on 5th April 2012, Thursday.

             Paiguni Uttaram celebrates the wedding of important deities in the Hindu religion. The importance of Panguni Uttiram day is that the Uthiram Nakshatra (star) coincides with the full moon day (Poornima, or Purnima). As stated in the Brahmanda Puranam, on Panguni Uthiram, every holy water joins Thumburu teertha, which is one of seven sacred tanks in Tirupati Tirumala. 

It is widely believed that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvathi on this day in this region. Another legend indicates that Lord Muruga married Devasena on Panguni Uthiram day.

                                   Rama and Sita wedding

  According to Valmiki's Ramayana, it is on this day and star that Sita's marriage with Lord Rama was celebrated.

 

Mahalakshmi Jayanthi

It is also believed that on this day, GoddessMahalakshmi incarnated on earth from the ocean of milk (after the ocean was churned by the Gods and the demons) and hence it is celebrated as Mahalakshmi 

Jayanti..

 It is on this day that Goddess Parvati in the form of Gowri married Lord Siva in Kanchipuram. Hence this day is also celebrated as the Gowri Kalyanam day.

                           Srirangam Sri Ranganayaki Namperumal Sethi

Another important wedding that took place on Panguni Uthiram is the one between Andal and Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu). This is known as Panguni Uthira Thirukkalyanam and is an important event in Srivilliputtur and neighboring areas.

Panguni Uthiram is the only one day in the year when we see the Goddess Ranganayaki with Srirangam Lord Ranganatha on the same stage. Lord Vishnu and Goddess Ranganayaki meet in the Panguni Uttara mandapam and this is known as the Panguni Uttaram Serththi (togetherness).

Panguni Uttiram is also of great importance in several temples in Tamil Nadu including the Palani Murugan Temple. Panguni Uthiram is a 10-festival at the Palani Murugan Temple and is also the most important festival held here.

Devotees visiting the various Muruga Temples on the Panguni Uthiram day carry the famous Kavadis and several thousand devotees shave their head during the ten-day festival.

Numerous temples in Tamil Nadu observe festivals during this period. Also, this day is said to be the birthday of Lord Ayyappan. The day is also of great importance at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple in Kerala. Special pujas and rituals are held on the day.