Panguni Uthiram -Arulmigu.Renganathaswamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli

Sri. Ranganayagi Serthi sevai The episode leading to the buying of a new ring for Ranganayaki Thayar goes thus: On the 9th day, it is Panguni Uttiram day and PourNami titi. Lord Ranganatha decides to visit His Principal Devi to bless Her on Her birth day and be with Her to enjoy Her company. He has no idea as to what is waiting for Him at Sri RanganAyaki’s sannidhi. After starting on His journey to His Devi’s Sannidhi, He remembers about the gem-studded golden ring that He had left behind at UraiyUr. He decides to collect some funds from His bhakthAs to purchase another ring. He travels through Chittirai and Utthira Veedhis to assemble the needed funds to buy another ring, wear it and escape the wrath of Sri RanganAyaki. After an intense debate, with Namperumal trying unsuccessfully to convince Thayar, Nammazhwar, who had been closely watching the drama, intervenes and advises the Goddess to accept the Lord once again. Immediately, accepting this directive, Ranganayaki relents – “Lord, I accept you as directed by Nammazhwar. Please come in.” This heated debate between the two and the way it ends, with Thayar accepting the Lord again, showcases to the world the beautiful relationship between a husband and a wife. Serthi Darshan Following the debate, Namperumal enters the Thayar Sannidhi and for almost 10 hours, the divine couple give darshan to the devotees at the Serthi Mandapam. Thousands of devotees thronge to the temple to worship the Serthi Darshan. This is the only occasion in the year when Lord Ranganatha and Goddess Ranganayaki are seen together and hence this is a very sacred occasion. Belief is that a visit to the Srirangam temple on this day for the ‘Serthi Seva’ will relieve one of all sins.