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.
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| Alankaram of the Gods |
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| Gods coming out for garland ceremony |
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| Exchange of Garlands |
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| Marriage ceremony |
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| After ceremony Lord on Rishaba |
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| Goddess on Kamadhenu Vahana |
