Utsav 2024: After various rituals, the priests start the auction of lemons in this temple of Tamil Nadu. The bid for 9 lemons reached Rs 2,36,100. This time a festival named Guni Uthiram was celebrated from 15 to 23 March. Nine lemons were auctioned as part of a festive ritual held at the famous Rathinavelpandin Murugan temple in Ottanandal village in Tamil Nadu. Mostly married couples participated in this auction because there is a unique belief behind it.
These 9 lemons are worshiped for 9 days (Panguni Uthiram Utsav 2024)
Rathinavelpandin Murugan Temple situated on a hill top is dedicated to Lord Murugan and a festival called Panguni Uthiram is celebrated every year. This time the festival continued from March 15 to March 23. During that time, every day 9 lemons were offered to the spear attached to the idol of Lord Murugan as a symbol of various prayers and blessings. After worshiping these 9 lemons for 9 days, they were auctioned.
Lemon bidding started at Rs 100
After various rituals the temple priest started the auction of lemons. The bidding for lemons started at Rs 100 and gradually their price kept increasing. One lemon was auctioned for Rs 50,500, while 9 lemons were sold for Rs 2,36,100. There was fierce competition among the bidders for these lemons because it is believed that worshiping one of these lemons will bless one with a child.
Who bought these lemons?
The lemon, which was auctioned in the festive auction, was bought for Rs 50,500 by a man named Arul Das and his wife Kanimozhi as they were unable to conceive. Apart from this, the lemons worshiped on the second and third day of the festival were bought by another couple for Rs 26,500 and Rs 42,100. The tradition of auctioning lemons is celebrated every year in a similar manner and people believe that the beliefs associated with them work.
