Aadi Month Traditions
In rural Tamil Nadu, devotees celebrate Aadi Maasam with fervor in Maariamman temples. They worship the goddess, revered as a guardian deity, to ensure good rains and protection from diseases like cholera, malaria, and smallpox. In my hometown, we observe these rituals at the Paettai Mariamman Kovil. People visit the temple on Tuesdays and Fridays, offering prayers and participating in special poojas. In my husband’s family, it is customary to place a bowl of water in front of a mirror and offer thamboolam (betel leaves, areca nut, fruit, and turmeric) in the pooja room, a ritual believed to ward off diseases.
Auspicious Days in Aadi Month
Aadi Pandigai
People celebrate the first day of Aadi, usually on July 16th or 17th, as Aadi Pandigai. This day holds particular significance for newlyweds, who receive invitations to the bride’s home, where family members shower them with gifts and host a special feast. Traditionally, the bride stays at her parents’ house until the end of the month.
Aadi Velli (Fridays)
All Fridays in Aadi are considered auspicious. Families prepare sweets as offerings (prasadam) to the goddess, visit temples, and perform special poojas. In my home, my paati or amma makes payasam as neivedyam. Sweets made with jaggery are preferred, honoring the goddess Amman.
As children, we woke up early to help our mother clean the front yard with cow dung and draw kolam, adorned with red soil (chemman). We invited sumangalis (married women) and offered them vethalai paaku. Our family gathered to chant Amman slokas and sing devotional songs, often arranging for Bhagavath sevai (devotional service) on a Friday.
Aadi Ammavasai
Aadi Ammavasai, the new moon day in this month, is dedicated to forefathers. Families perform poojas and offer food to the deities, seeking blessings from their ancestors.
Aadi Pooram
Aadi Pooram, falling on the Pooram star, celebrates the birth of Andal, the only female among the 12 Alwars who composed the Divya Prabandham. Her works, including Thiruppavai and Vaaranam Aayiram, are celebrated in Srivilliputhur, her birthplace.
Aadi Krithigai
This day, marked by the Krithikai star, is dedicated to Lord Muruga. Devotees carry flower kavadis to Murugan temples, seeking his blessings to overcome obstacles and negative forces in life.
Aadi Perukku
On the 18th day of Aadi, we celebrate Aadi Perukku by preparing a variety of rice dishes like lemon rice, coconut rice, and tamarind rice. It’s a joyous occasion where the family gathers, shares meals, and enjoys each other’s company. This year, I’ll miss this celebration with my family.
Varalakshmi Vratham/Maavilakku Pooja
The Varalakshmi Vratham and Maavilakku Pooja are significant rituals observed by different families. In our family, we perform Maavilakku Pooja. The ritual involves creating a turmeric paste, decorating it with red dots, and offering maavilakku (a lamp made from rice flour, jaggery, and ghee). The pooja ends with the family chanting slokas and singing songs, followed by a traditional meal.
Garuda Panchami
Garuda Panchami is a pooja dedicated to Sri Garudalwar, performed primarily by women for the well-being and bravery of their children. Newlywed couples also participate, seeking a harmonious married life and alleviation of Naga Dosham.
Conclusion
Aadi month is a vibrant time filled with rituals, celebrations, and familial bonds. It encapsulates the rich traditions and cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu, bringing communities together in devotion and festivity.
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Nice explanation….
Thank you Aruna
[…] Aadi month […]
எங்கள் பரம்பரை கண்ட்றமாணிக்கம் பிருஹசரணம் பிரிவைச் சார்ந்ததாகும். சுமார் 100 ஆண்டுகளுக்குமேல் தஞ்சாவூர் ஜில்லா, திருவையாறு அருகில் உள்ள திருவாலம்பொழில் என்னும் கிராமத்தில் வாழ்ந்து வந்தோம். எங்கள் குலதெய்வம் வைதீஸ்வரன் கோவில் வைதீஸ்வரர் ஆகும். குழந்தைகளுக்கு முதல் முடி இறக்குவது வைதீஸ்வரர் கோவிலில். ஆனால் எங்கள் குல தேவதையாக ஸ்ரீ படைவெட்டியம்மனை ஆடி மாதம் வெள்ளிக் கிழமைகளில் கீழ்க்கண்டவாறு ஆத்து சுவற்றில் கைவைத்து கீழே குழவிக்கல் வைத்து, அலங்காரம் செய்து, மாவிளக்குமா படைத்து நைவேத்யம்செய்து, வழிபடும் பழக்கம் பரம்பரை பரம்பரையாக வந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது.
ஆனால், குலதெய்வம், எங்கிருக்கிறது ? எந்த வடிவில் இருக்கிறது ?
கைவைத்து பூஜை செய்வதின் தாத்பரியம் என்ன எதுவும் பெரியோர்கள் சொல்லித்தரவில்லை. தஞ்சை மாவட்டத்தில் இதுபோல் பூஜை செய்கிறவர்கள் இருந்தால், தகவல் தெரிவித்தால் நலமாக இருக்கும்.
டி. சிவசுப்ரமணியன், (என்றும் காஞ்சி மடம் தொண்டில்) Mob. 9789061449
Great post!
Thank you Megala…
Thank you Latha…