Panguni Uthiram 2023: Check date, significance, how to celebrate

Panguni Uthiram is a prominent festival in Hindusim, especially celebrated in Tamil Nadu. It is an auspicious occasion when Lord Murugan, Lord Ayyappa, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu are worshipped, with a particular focus on Lord Murugan. This festival is observed during the Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra in the month of Panguni. Today, on April 5, 2023, we celebrate Panguni Uthiram.

Puja Tithi, Nakshatra

Begins on April 4, 2023 at 09:36 am
Ends on April 5, 2023 at 11:26 am

Significance

Panguni Uthiram holds immense religious and spiritual significance for the Tamil people, who follow Hinduism. According to belief, the full moon day in the month of Chaitra marks the moon's transit through the Uthiram Nakshatra. This day is considered very auspicious, and many celestial marriages are believed to have taken place on this day.

Panguni Uthiram is also celebrated as Gauri Kalyanam day as Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati (in the form of Goddess Gauri) on this auspicious day. This day symbolizes the importance of marriage and its sacredness.

How to celebrate?

During the celebration of Panguni Uthiram, devotees perform various religious rituals and recite sacred books, such as Kanda Shashti Kavasam and Kanda Puranam to seek blessings from Lord Murugan. They also carry a Kavadi, a decorated wooden or metal structure, to Lord Murugan's temple as an offering.

In Tamil Nadu, the festival is celebrated for 13 days, and at the Ekambareshwar Temple in Kanchipuram, the Prithvi Lingam (Earth Element) is also worshipped.

On the day of Panguni Uthiram, devotees visit Lord Murugan's temple, where the divine marriage of the God and Goddess is conducted in many temples. The priests perform special rituals and ceremonies to commemorate this auspicious occasion.

How to perform Rituals?

On the day of Panguni Uthiram, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath before wearing clean and nice clothes. They then worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, who are decorated with beautiful clothes, jewellery and flowers.

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s marriage is conducted. After marriage rituals are completed, bhog is offered to the Lord, which is later distributed among the people as prasadam. Devotees also worship Lord Murugan and offer bhog prasad to seek his blessings.

In the evening, devotees break their fast and eat bhog prasadam as a part of the celebrations.

FAQs

Q1:What are other names of Lord Murugan?
Muruga, Shanmuga, Karthilkeya

Q2:Who are the parents of Lord Murugan?
Shiva and Parvati