Adi Festival

Tamil month of Adi has many special days linked to it. One of the very famous festival I remember first is the Mulaipaari Utsavam. This is done for the blessing of mankind with peace, prosperity and happiness. Nature worship in the form of Amman Deities are organized to shower Nature’s bountiful grace on human beings. First week of the month they tie kaappu in the village and grow the mulaipari in a dark place. Then after a week they take out and perform pooja by bringing to the village god's place as shown above in the picture. Once pooja is done they ask questions to village god like whether this year will there be good cultivation? and believed that if Yes, lizard will make sound from the surroundings. Then they bring back all those mulaipari to the mulai kottu thinnai and arrange everything in the order. Once it is placed, All females round it up and sing chorus (known as Thaanaanai) songs by praising the goddess with the clap of hands make slow rounds of the place where the plants in the bottom opened pots are kept. Then there will be performance by Karagam and Kavadi avattam groups on the same night.

Next day during afternoon there will be mavilakku pooja performed by people in the village to the God with Amma Odu (plant in the mud pot is called so). Then in the evening all the females in the family formed by two rows will carry down the Mulaipari to the Kanmaai(Lake) and do thaanaanai again as shown in the picture above. Then put the plant into the water pit at the kanmaai or river.

It is believed that the 'Surya Bhagawan' (the Sun God), changes the direction of his chariot from north to south, so this changeover is celebrated as a festival. This falls sometime between July 15th and August 15th, the beginning of the fourth month Aadi of the Tamil calendar. The house is adorned with fresh mango leaves and kolam. Milk extracted from coconuts is considered special in these days.

This festival is celebrated for the birth of the Tamil month of aadi. A lot of festivals are celebrated in the month of aadi. This is the beginning of all the festivals during the festival season. Once aadi festival starts all other festivals follow one by one. During the month of thai and aadi the sun changes directions so it is celebrated in that way.

Aadi festival is special for various ammans. It is celebrated in a special way in temples like mangadu, kamakshi temple etc. 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.We make coconut milk payasam on fridays.

The new moon day of this month is celebrated as "Aadi Amavasai" which is to remeber our ancestors who have reached God. That day donations will be made.

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).

ADI VELLI & VARALAKSHMI VRATAM

LORD SHIVA describes the glory of this Vrata in the Skanda Purana. It is performed by a woman whose husband is still living. Maha Lakshmi is the abode of all auspiciousness and prosperity. This worship of Maha Lakshmi is done to obtain good progeny, and for the health and long life of the husband.

The Vrata is observed on the Friday immediately preceding the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). After a purificatory bath, the lady should put on a clean, fresh cloth and make a mandala with the drawing of a lotus upon it. A kalasha filled with rice and topped with fresh mango leaves, a coconut and cloth are placed on the mandala and Lakshmi is invoked therein. Fresh grains are used in the worship as they convey the idea of growth and prosperity.

After the worship of the kalasha, follows the worship of Ganesha, then the worship of the raksha or the sacred thread. Now the main worship of Vara Lakshmi begins and the raksha is worshipped a second time. It is then tied to the right hand of the lady. After the worship various auspicious articles are given as charity to some deserving lady whose husband is alive. This lady is also fed with dainties.

Lakshmi not only bestows wealth and all sorts of material prosperity, but also imparts divine wisdom to all Her devotees. She is Vidya Shakti. She introduces Her devotees to Her Lord. She recommends them to Her Lord for their salvation.

Aadi festival is celebrated for the birth of the tamil month of Aadi (July - August) This festival is special for various Ammans.

Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays of this month are considered very auspicious. A lot of festivals are celebrated in the month of Aadi. This tamil month marks the beginning of all festivals during the festival season.

All Fridays in the month of Aadi are cosidered auspicious, especially 1st and 3rd Fridays.