PANGUNI UTHIRAM FESTIVAL
Fall On: March-April
Significance: The Marriage Of Parvati and Parameshwara, Muruga and Devasena, And Andal And Rangamanna Took Place On This Day.
The Panguni Uthiram festival falls in the month 'Panguni'
(March-April). This month is special because of the star 'Uthiram' and
'Pournami' occurring together. Besides, it is on "Panguni Pournami
Uthiram" that the marriage of Parvati and Parameshwara, Muruga and
Devasena, and Andal (also known as 'Kothai') and Rangamannar (also splet
as Rangamannar) took place.
Also, Valmiki's Ramayan (also spelt as Ramayana) says it is on this day
and star that Sita's marriage with Rama was celebrated. From Brahmanda
Purana one learns that on Panguni Uthiram every holy water joins Thumburu
Teertha (also spelt as Tirtha), one of seven sacred tanks in
Tirupati Tirumala.
Its Importance
The ancients chose Uthiram to convey to humans that it is for underlining
the glory of Grahasta Dharma (married life) that the Almighty manifests in
the marital state as Uma Maheshwara, Sita Rama, and Radha Krishna -
despite his changelessness, sans childhood or youth or old age. The Lord
is indeed a "Nitya Kalyana Murti". It is our duty to celebrate
this day when the Lord, in both Shiva and Vishnu temples, appears to
devotees in his married state.
On Panguni Uthiram, in all places where Lord Subramanya has a temple, his
devotees carry in a Kavadi the requisites of puja for him, in fulfilment
of vows. Such vow fulfilment by devotees carrying Kavadis is a special
feature of Subrahmanya temples wherever they happen to be.
Devotees flock in hundreds to the Perur temple near Coimbatore during the
Panguni Uthiram festival, which is celebrated in March every year.
