Every Tamilian is fond of the Panguni Uthiram festival which is the twelfth day of the full moon day. This day has special importance as the full moon moves into the Uthiram Nakshatra during this time of the year. Son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati (Lord Murugan) is worshipped on this favourable day.
People visit many temples all over the world and celebrate this festival enthusiastically. Panguni Uthiram is the beginning of the karmic family responsibilities. It also signifies the start of a new married life for couples.
The story behind the celebration of Panguni Uthiram 2025
According to Jayantipura Mahatmya, Lord Murugan married Deivanail (Daughter of Lord Indra). She was raised by Airavat (Lord Indra’s white elephant). Skanda Purana says that the Senapati of God, Lord Murugan was destined to marry both Deivanai and Valli. They were two soul sisters who grew up together.
However, due to certain circumstances, they grew up in different families. One was adopted by Lord Indra while Valli was adopted by a tribunal king. Lord Murugan saved Lord Indra’s kingship by killing all the demons. Thus, he married Deivanai. Later, with the help of Lord Ganesha Kartikeya married Valli and brought both of them to Thiruthani.
On this day, Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati in Gowri form in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district. This day came to me known as the Gowri Kalyanam Day. Hence, this festival holds two special significance as per Hindu religious text.
According to Brahma Puranam, it is said that all the holy water of the river joins Thumburu Thirta which is one of the sacred tanks in Tirupati Tirumala. Another speciality of the day resides in the marriage of Lord Narayana with Kamalavalli Nachiyar (a form of Maa Lakshmi). Even as per Valmiki Ramayan, Maa Sita married Lord Ram on this pleasant day.
Shubh Thithi of the Panguni Uthiram 2025
Panguni Uthiram Kalyanam Vrat pooja starts at 10th April 2025. The timing starts at 12:24 pm in the afternoon. It will end on April 11th 2025 around 3:10 pm.
Worship time for Panguni Uthiram 2025
It is recommended to perform the Panguni Uthiram 2025 Kalyana Vrata pooja in the morning hours between 9 and 10.20 a.m. Alternatively, you can also do the pooja during the evening time, 6 pm and 8 p.m.
Ways to perform Kalyana Vrata on this Panguni Uthiram 2025 day
Here are the rules of following the Vrata with immense devotion and love towards Lord Kartikeya.
- Get up early in the morning.
- Take a bath.
- Meditate on the wedding posture of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati idols.
- Light a lamp near the Lord’s idol.
- Decorate the idol with jewellery.
- Also adore the deity with flowers of your choice.
- Prepare kheer and sweets for the deity.
- Additionally, offering honey, millet flour, sugar pongal and ghee is considered divine.
- Listen to Kanda Purana.
- Chant special mantras like Kanda Shasti Karvasa.
- Give Brahman Bhojan along with Dakshina and feed the needy as well.
- Unmarried fast observers can make small packets of pieces of cloth, turmeric, saffron, flowers, betel leaves and one rupee coin and give it to married women (Sumangalis).
- Visit Lord Shiva and Murugan Temples.
- Offer Abhishekam and pray with full devotion.
- Eat sweet dishes made of milk and payasam at night during the Vrata Hours.
- Strictly follow one meal rule during Vrata.
- Sleep on Dharbai Grass at night if possible.
- Eat rice or prasad and break your Vrata early in the morning the next day.
- Donate the idol of God and Goddess to other special devotees of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati.
Special Lord Murugan Mantra
हरे मुरुगा हरे मुरुगा शिव कुमार हरो हारा II
हरे कंधा हरे कंधा हरे कंधा हरो हारा II
हरे शनमुख हरे शनमुख हरे शनमुख हरो हारा II
हरे वेला हरे वेला हरे वेला हरो हारा II
हरे मुरुगा हरे मुरुगा ओम मुरुगा हरो हारा II
Benefits of observing the Kalyana Vrata
Kalyana meaning Marriage and Vrata is fast. The name itself signifies that the fast is performed by unmarried people to find a suitable partner. Those married observe this fast to keep their relationship blooming with happiness. An auspicious day for spiritual individuals to seek Lord Murgan’s blessings by offering flowers and performing havana and poojas.
To acquire blessings, prosperity, and good fortune, single persons who are planning a marriage should maintain Kalyana Vrata. It is believed that performing rituals with pure heart and devotion for 48 years will help an individual attain Moksha (free from life and birth cycle).
Praying to Lord Murgana helps get rid of all the life obstacles. Also, reduces negativity from a person’s life completely.
Special Rituals performed in Murugan Temples during Panguni Uthiram 2025
During this special occasion of Panguni Uthiram the temples are decorated beautifully with flowers, lanterns and diyas. People visit Murugan Temples and offer Abhishekam to Lord Murugan Idol with Pure Cow’s Milk. Idols are cleaned and decorated with love and purity. Kavadis, a wooden structure, is offered to Lord Murugan on this special occasion. They are bamboo poles that are carried on shoulders.
People also carry milk, water and flowers for Lord’s Abhishekam on the way to temples. Alongside, special padayatra where thousands of devotees come together and cover all Murugan temples over 100 kilometres barefoot. Lord Ayyapa Jayanti and Mahalakshmi Jayanti also fall on this day so there is joy for double celebration in every temple.
Folk dance rituals such as Kavadi Attam are performed on the stage with traditional music and chants. In the evening, special palanquins and chariot processions are carried out around the temple premises. The sessions continue with drums, hymns, chants and nadaswaram music. Annadanam Seva is organised in various Mururgan and Shiva temples to offer Prasadam to their bhaktas.
Panguni Uthiram Celebrations at Palani Temple
More than five lakh people visit the majestic temple. All ten days are filled with charm and fun chanting Lord Murugan’s name. Temples perform special Maha Abhishekam with nine different elements. This includes rose water, Santhanam, curd, honey, milk, Vibhuti (ashes), panchamrit, coconut water and Ganga jal. Panchamrit, a delightful Prasadam flavoured with various special ingredients like jaggery and fruits served to the devotees.
On each day, Valli, Theyvanai, and the Subhramanya Idol of God Murugan are adorned and marched together. This procession uses several kinds of chariots, namely ivory, car, golden peacock, elephant, and Kamdhenu chariots. These chariots are decorated with adorable flowers and colourful lighting spread all over it.
These processions start during the afternoon and night timings with aartis and poojas. A group of professional Thevaram musicians fill the air with charming music and drums along with continuous chanting of ‘Thirupugazh’. This continues along the Giri Veedhi hills surrounding the Palani Temple. People dance in devotion and happiness.
Other temples that celebrate the Panguni Uthiram festival
Some of the important temples that celebrate the Panguni Uthiram Festival :
- Kapeeleshwar Temple in Mylapore district of Chennai
- Ekambareshwar Temple located in the Kanchipuram city
- Vadapalani Murugan Temple of Chennai
- Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple in Madurai
- Shanmughanathar Temple in Kunnakudi
- Kolanjiappar Temple in Manavalanallur
- Arulmigu Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur
- Mangaleshwara temple in Trichy in Tiruchirapalli
- Murugan Temple at Solairmalai in Madurai
- Karaikandeshwara Temple in Kanji
Conclusion
Panguni Uthiram is dedicated to Lord Murugana. The Senapati of all the Gods and the supreme warhead. Along with it, the day also signifies the divine marriage ceremony of various deities including Ram and Sita, Narayana and Lakshmi. It is believed those who observe Kalyana Vrata are considered highly auspicious. On this Shubh tithi, unmarried people can seek marital blessings. Whereas, the vibrant colourful decoration in the Palani temple shows how deeply our culture is rooted in the Sanatan Dharma.
