Aadi Perukku / Aadi 18
aadi 18 pic courtesy Kamakoti.org pooja for river being performed .
Aadi perukku festival
Aaadi Perukku / 18 falls on August 03 2024
Aadi Perukku or Aadi padinettam peruku refers to the rising of the river waters by the 18 th day of the Aadi month . Perukku means rising of the river . An increase in water level is seen in the river at this time. Activities like sowing, planting of seeds, rooting and other procedures in farming are done favourably in the month of Aadi in Tamil Nadu. Aadi Perukku is a grand occasion of fertility that has been celebrated since the time of kings and royal families.
Aadi Perukku is celebrated across Tamilnadu, it is a popular festival along the banks of Kaviri from Mettur Dam , Bhavani , Erode, Karur , Paramathi Velur , Kulithalai, Tiruchi , Thanjavur , Kumbakonam , Mayiladuthurai ,Nagai, PoomPugar etc.
also , Aadi 18 is the day when Sun enters Ayilyam Natchathiram which belongs to Budhan’s (Mercury) Natchathiram where the month of Aadi is considered as Kadagam Month, it is considered as the Auspicious time for Agricultural Activities as Budhan Planet is considered to be the lord of greens and large yield !
Farmers start their sowing in the month of Aadi (July-August) so that they can do their harvest after 6 months in january which is celebrated as Pongal Festival (harvest festival) in the month of Thai (Jan).
On the occasion of Aadi Perukku, unmarried girls perform rituals and puja along with married women of the society.
Young ladies and Men will pray for Good partner to River Goddess and Married couples will come there to thank the River goddess and pray for their prosperity and offspring. kaatholai, Karugamani, kaaparisi and many other rice varieties are spread in a Banana leaf and traditional poojas are done with turmeric or cow dung which is considered as Vinayaka. Auspicious Yellow thread will be weared by Men in their right hand wrist and Ladies used to wear it in their neck. Women generally prepare different items of rice and offer them to the river Kaveri.
The beginning of the Tamil month of Aadi known as Aadi Pandigai is on July 16 th 2024
The Aadi festival, which falls in the month of July, is the beginning of the numerous festivals that are to follow suit .
The word Aadi is derived from the Sanskrit word aash-adi. The months for the Indian Calendar are named after the 27 stars in the Zodiac system.
In each month there are two or three stars. Similarly the other months like Chitrai, Panguni, Vaikasi, Karthikai etc. are named after the stars.
Aadi falls during the second half of the year known as Dakshinayanam when the Sun transits from the northern hemisphere to the Southern during July. Dakshinayana Punyakalam begins in the month .Therefore the month is inauspicious for conducting functions like weddings . It is the south ward journeynof the sun .Dakshinayan Punyakalam the night of the Devas begins on the first day of Aadi.
The sun changes direction for next six months and it is the night time for the Devas.
For devas, its night time or twilight zone and they are engaged in worshipping the Maha Shakthi to remove darkness from their lives. Lord Shiva is with his consort and therefore her powers are doubled during this month.
The mother protects her devotees from all negative forces and therefore regarded as the most auspicious month of the year for Devi worship. The sun steers its way to enter the Kataka rasi (Cancer sign that is ruled by the Moon) and hence this month is also called Karkataka.
The transition from the Southern to the Northern hemisphere in the month of January is known as Uthirayanam. "Both the periods are auspicious for the worship of the Gods and Goddesses". As the transit of stars takes place during the day Uthirayana, all auspicious functions including marriages are conducted at that period, while during the month of Aadi the transition take place during the night.
A lot of festivals are celebrated in the month of Aadi. This is the beginning of all the festivals during the festival season. Aadi heralds the beginning of all major festivals one by one.
Aadi festival is special for various Godesses . It is celebrated in a special way in temples like Maangadu, Kamakshi Amman temple. All sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays of this month are auspicious.
Every Friday is celebrated as “Aadi Velli”. On the first Friday we make kozhukkattai for Lord Ganesha.The new moon day of this month is celebrated as “Aadi Amavasai” which is to remember our ancestors who have reached heavenly abode .That day donations will be made to Brahmins .
The pooram star of this month is celebrated as “aadi pooram” as the birthday of Aandal. It is celebrated in all temples in a grand manner.
The 18th day of this month is celebrated as “Aadi perukku” or “Pathinettam perukku”. Since rain flows in this month, the rivers are filled with water. Water is also given from dams to agriculturists.On this day, we prepare all varieties of rice and vadams etc. taking all to nearby river or beach with friends and give them manjal kunkum, vetrilai pakku, clothes etc This done to praise Goddeess Cauveri (Cauvery river). It is to thank all the rivers because they provide water.
Even if one does not reside by river banks , according to our sahastras we can go to any river body like a tank , a small pond or any temple tank and perform the aadi 18 pooja to invoke the divine rivers and show our gratitude .
One must perfrom the river pooja, and conduct small archanais , cauvery Aashtottaram, Lakshmi Aashtottaram are chanted on the day . The day ends with a celeberation of a sumptuous meal by the river bank with variety rice such as coconut rice, tamrind rice,lemon rice, avial,mor kozhambu, some fried appalams,vadai and sakkarai pongal or any sweet . All these recipes are available in my blog .
Basic pulikachal paste for tamrind rice preparation
Keerai kootu ( youtube video )
Varutharacha sambar ( youtube video )
other recipes
Aadi Perukku Celebrated in Amma Mandapam padi Thurai (Srirangam)
Aadi 18
Festival menu
Useful links to my recipes
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