2018 Panguni Uthiram—Thirukalyanam Festival

Panguni Uthiram is celebrated during the Panguni Month (March-April) on Uthiram Nakshatra day. In 2018 the Panguni Uthiram date was March 30. Panguni is special because of the coming together of the star Uthiram and Poornima.

The ceremonial marriages of Siva and Parvati, Muruga and Deivanai, Rama and Sita, Ranganathar and Andal are all celebrated on this day. Maha Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity is believed to have emerged from the ocean of milk on the day of Panguni Uthiram thus she is also worshipped. Additionally Panguni Uthiram is regarded as the day of the incarnation of Lord Ayyappa.

This celebration of Divine Marriage emphasizes the protection of marital life from separation.  It is believed that offering prayers to God at this time will give good mental equilibrium to couples and bestow them with strength, love, affection and understanding.

In the evening in the forecourt in front of the Shrines, Lord Arunachaleswarar comes in procession and an exchange of garlands occurs.

After this exchange both Gods move to the Thirukalyanam Mandapam, where the marriage ceremony takes place.

Afterwhich Lord Arunachaleswarar with Goddess Ambal come out on the Rishaba Vahana and the Kamadhenu Vahana for a Chariot procession.

Alankaram of the Gods

Gods coming out for garland ceremony

Exchange of Garlands

Marriage ceremony

After ceremony Lord on Rishaba

Goddess on Kamadhenu Vahana