[1] It falls on the day the moon transits the nakshatram (asterism) of Uttiram (Uttara Phalguni) in the twelfth month Panguni of the Tamil calendar.

Panguni Uthiram commemorates the weddings of Shiva and Parvati, Rama and Sita, Murugan (Kartikeya) and Devasena, and Ranganatha (Vishnu) and Andal.

[4][5][6] Lakshmi is said to have emerged from the Ocean of Milk during the legend of the Samudra Manthana on this occasion, celebrated as Mahalakshmi Jayanti.

[citation needed] The day is intended to underline the glory of grahasta dharma (the married life of a householder).

The Brahmanda Purana indicates that on Panguni Uthiram, millions of devas bathe in the Tumburu Tirtha, one of seven sacred tanks in the Venkateshvara Temple of Tirupati.