SIGNIFICANCE OF PANGUNI UTHIRAM

 

My Humble Pranams to all..! PANGUNI UTHIRAM is considered to be most auspicious day for Hindus and it’s the day when most divine marriages took place like for Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, Lord Murugan and Goddess Deviayani and Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. This day is also considered to be the day when Goddess Mahalakshmi has incarnated. Its most special day as the Uthiram nakshatram coincides with the full moon and people all over the world celebrate this day with a gròeat zeal and enthusiasm and me hailing from Srirangam can’t keep quiet without expressing my feelings on the importance of this day.

              Panguni uthiram is the only day in a year when we can see Goddess Ranganayaki with Lord Ranganathar meet in Panguni Uthiram Manadapam and this is known popularly as Serthi Seivai (Togetherness). Here is the sequence of the beautiful dramatic events that take place on this day at Srirangam. Goddess Ranganayaki Thayar had heard from sources that Lord Ranganathar has taken a secret trip to Woraiyur earlier that week to meet Kamalavalli Nachiyar and he had presented a ring to her as per her sources. Thayar was upset and was waiting for a chance to express her disapproval for his trip. When Lord Ranganathar wanted to meet Thayar on the day of Panguni Uthiram she clearly expressed her upset by shutting the door and this leads to debate inside Thayar Sanathi among Ariyars and Pandaris representing Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Ranganayaki respectively. Ariyars begins the Lords defense by saying that he had been in hot sun listening to Vedic recitals and providing darshan to his devotees on street and so pleaded to let him inside her Sannidhi. Pandaris then responded backing Thayar if it was a real reason or if Lord had any other hidden agenda indirectly hinting his visit to Woraiyur. And Thayar was also disturbed to find his eyes red and hair disturbed and Thiruman not in usual way and also nail marks on his body and ordered Pandaris not to let Lord enter her Sannidhi but Lord defends saying that he went to forest to fight with wild animals and protect his devotees  and lost his ring to Thirumnagai Azhwaar who posed as thief. And then Thayar furiously asks if he went to Woraiyur and Lord tries to convince by saying that he has not heard of such a place name. Lord then promises on Ocean, Fire and even says that he is ready to put his hand in snake pit to prove his innocence. Arriyars also try to convince Thayar with emotional appeal but Thayar stands firm and says that Lord has done everything but in turn makes her feel guilty by passing on blame game. This is when Nam Azhwaar who witnessed this advises Thayar not to insult him and save Lord from embarrassment. And as a mark of respect, Thayar immediately accepts Lord inside her Sannidhi.

              This entire sequence of events showcases the world about the beautiful relationship between husband and wife and the fights involved in any relationship and then adjustments one needs to make for a long lasting relationship and also the event shows that one must have respect for elders in life as even Thayar herself listens to advise of Nam Azhwaar and forgives Lord.

                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                             -Sowmya Raghavan