Panguni Car Festival, Arulmigu Balasubramanya Swamy Temple

For the Tamil people the Hindu calendars Panguni month is an auspicious period for worship The heavenly weddings of Lord Ram and Sita as well as that of Lord Murugan and Deivanai are believed to have occurred on the day of the ascension of the star known as Uttaram Nakshatra. The Arulmigu Balasubramanya Swamy Temple at Namakkal hosts a 5day festival to celebrate the ascension of the Uttaram Nakshatra. The main deities of the temple are Lord Murugan and his consorts, Goddesses Deivanai and Valli.    The Panguni festival at the Arulmigu Balasubramanya Swamy Temple starts with a flag hoisting to represent the commemoration of the celebration For all 5days the deity and its consorts are adorned with precious jewellery silk robes and aromatic flowers with special poojas and homams On the day the Uttaram Nakshatra ascends Lord Ganesha referred to as the elder brother of Lord Murugan is taken in procession around the temple On the final day of the festival the Utsava Murthy main deity will go on a Thiru Veedhi ula resting upon a vibrantly decorated massive wooden chariot Every year thousands of devotees gather at this temple and chant Arogara in devotion as Lord Murugan is taken in procession.