‘Panguni Uthiram’ festival begins with hoisting of holy flag

Panguni Uthiram festival at Thiru Avinankudi Temple in Palani features special rituals, processions, and devotee accommodations.

Panguni Uthiram festival in Thiru Avinankudi Temple in Palani began on Saturday with the hoisting of the holy flag. A special puja was conducted for the flag bearing the images of Rooster, Peacock and Vel, before it was hoisted.

Devotees witnessed the event amid the chanting of hymns. Special abhishekam and deeparadhana were held for the presiding deities God Muthukumaraswamy, and Goddesses Valli and Deivanai. Later, the deities were taken out on a procession. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and temple authorities were present.

The festival will go on for 10 days. The highlight of the festival is the ‘Tirukalyanam,’ which will be held on April 10, the sixth day of the festival. The car festival will take place on April 11 on the occasion of ‘Panguni Uthiram.’ The car procession will take place along the girivalam path of the Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple. The festival will conclude on April 14.

On the day of ‘Panguni Uthiram,’ devotees from far and near are expected to attend the festival in large numbers. The authorities have been instructed to set up temporary pavilions at various places for the convenience of the devotees, provide drinking water facilities, properly maintain the public toilets, install garbage bins at various places, provide medical facilities and to set up medical camps.

The devotees were asked to avoid use of plastic. For the convenience of the devotees, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the temple to receive information and report grievances.