At This Tamil Nadu Temple, 9 Lemons Auctioned For Rs 2.36 Lakh

The village of Ottanandal, located in the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, is home to the famous Rathinavelpandiyan Murugan temple, situated atop a hill, known for its breathtaking beauty. The temple’s main deity, Murugan, stands tall at a height of 5 feet, captivating devotees who visit to offer their prayers.

Every year, the Panguni Uthiram festival is celebrated at this temple. This year’s festivities began on March 15 and continued for nine days until March 23. During these nine days of celebration, a unique ritual involving the Rathinavelpandiyan Murugan temple took place. Each day, a total of nine lemons were offered, symbolising different prayers and blessings.

The lemons that were worshipped in the temple during the 9-day festival were put up for auction. There was intense competition among bidders for these lemons, as it is believed that performing puja with one of these lemons would bless one with a child. One lemon was auctioned for Rs 50,500, and a total of 9 lemons were auctioned for Rs 2,36,100.

After conducting various rituals, the temple priest, Brudotthaman, stood atop the nail-studded platform and commenced the auction of the lemons. The nine lemons worshipped during the nine-day festival were auctioned individually. Bidding began at Rs. 100 for each lemon, and numerous people participated, offering bids of Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, Rs 3,000 and more.

Among the bidders, Aruldas and Kanimozhi, a couple from Kallakurichi district who were unable to conceive, purchased the highest number of lemons. They acquired the lemons worshipped on the first day of the festival for Rs. 50,500. Additionally, lemons worshipped on the second and third days of the festival were auctioned for Rs. 26,500 and Rs. 42,100 respectively. In total, the nine lemons were auctioned for Rs 2,36,100.

Panguni Uthiram marks the celebration of the weddings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita, Murugan (Kartikeya) and Devasena, as well as Ranganatha (Vishnu) and Andal. It is also considered to signify the manifestation of Ayyappan.