Relevance of Panguni Uthiram

Panguni Uthiram is a Tamil Hindu festival that celebrates the marriage anniversary of Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Panguni Uthiram festival is the most auspicious time to get married, as many divine marriages took place on this day. On Panguni Uthiram, there are grand celebrations at Muruga temples. Panguni Uthiram festival is all about the karma of family responsibilities.

Panguni Uthiram or Meena Uttara Phalguni is one of the 8 maha vrats that find mention in the Skanda Purana. Observing a fast on this day is called ‘Kalyanam Vrat’This day is very important for Tamil Hindus. Usually, this festival occurs around the end of March, on the full moon day when. the moon enters Uttara-Phalguna or Uthiram Nakshatra. Panguni is the last month of the Tamil calendar.

Panguni Uthiram History

This day is very special for Tamil Hindus, as it is the wedding day of their patron god, Muruga, and Deivanai, the daughter of Indra. Deivanai was raised by Airavat, Indra’s white elephant.

Muruga had another wife, Valli. Deivanai and Valli were sisters, and they were destined to marry Muruga. They were born as sisters called Amrutha Valli and Sundaravalli. Later, they were reborn as Deivanai and Valli. Two different people adopted them, and they became separated from each other. One was adopted by Indra, and the other was adopted by a tribal king. When Muruga killed the demons, Soorapadma and his brothers, Indra married his daughter Deivanai to him. Later, Muruga married Valli with the help of Ganesha, his brother, and took her to Thiruthani.

Other celestial weddings that took place on this day are those of Shiva-Parvati, Rama-Sita, Andal-Ranganatha (Vishnu), etc. It is also the Jayanti of Swami Ayyappan. It was also on this day that Goddess Lakshmi emerged from the Milky Ocean when it was churned by the gods and demons for Amrit.

Why Is Panguni Uthiram Festival Important?

Panguni Uthiram teaches us to the importance of the marital bond. Without marriage, we cannot have a stable or happy family life. Marriage is important for begetting children and continuing our lineage. Grihastha, or married life, is an important stage in the life of human beings. It has great sanctity in Hinduism. Panguni Uthiram reminds us of the sanctity of marriage, which was understood even by the divinities.

Astrological Significance Of Panguni Uthiram

Panguni Uthiram falls on Poornima, the day of the full moon, which transits through Uttara-phalguni. This day is very auspicious, and so astrologers often choose Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra for marriage muhurtham. The planetary ruler of Uttara Phalguni is Venus, so couples who get married on this day can look forward to marital bliss and peace, as per mythology.

Divine Weddings on Panguni Uthiram

Shiva and Parvati, Deivanai and Murugan, Andal and Ranganathar, and Rama and Sita, are the divine couples who celebrate their wedding anniversary on this day. Goddess Mahalakshmi incarnated on the earth on this day as well. Many of the temples in South India, like the Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala, Kerala, Murugan Temple in Palani, Mangaleshwara temple in Trichy, and many others, perform the rituals for these divine marriages on this day. In Thiruparangundram, Mylapore (Chennai), and Palani temples, it is a 10-day festival.

Panguni Uthiram Rituals

∙ Devotees visit the temples of Murugan on this day. They clean the idol of the deity and decorate it with flowers and fragrances.

∙ Men perform Pada Yatra (foot pilgrimage) to the temples of Murugan, covering about 100 kilometres in 3-4 days. Women offer buttermilk and food to pilgrims.

∙ Devotees carry Kavadis with offerings to Muruga on their shoulders. The offerings include pots of milk, sacred water, and flowers

∙ The ten-day celebration continues till the day of Poornima in Mylapore, Chennai, when the celestial wedding or Thirukalyanam takes place. Ayyappa Jayanti is celebrated in Ayyappa temples in Tamilnadu and Kerala.

∙ Devotees observe Kalyan Vrata on this day. They begin the fast soon after having a bath in the early morning. They avoid eating anything. Or they may take only one meal a day. They also visit the temple to worship Muruga, Shiva, and Vishnu and pray for their blessings.

∙ Devotees make a sweet dish or Prasadam as an offering to Shiva. When the fast ends, devotees eat the Prasadam and distribute it among other family members.

Panguni Uthiram Date and Time

April 5, 2023

Uthiram Nakshathram Begins: 09:36 AM, April 04, 2023

Uthiram Nakshathram Ends: 11:23 AM, April 05, 2023

Relevance of Panguni Uthiram Festival

Panguni Uthiram festival falls on the night of the full moon. The ancient priests and astrologers would choose Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra or Uthiram to fix the marriage muhurtham. This nakshatra is ruled by Venus, the planet of love, relationships, and marriage. Its symbol is a bed that signifies marital bliss and harmony. Therefore, Gods and Goddesses, as well as kings and queens of ancient times, chose to get married on the auspicious day of Panguni Uthiram.