Introduction to Aadi
In Tamil Nadu, the ‘Aadi’ month marks the onset of monsoons. It is the fourth month of the Tamil Calendar, and it is said that for the ‘devas,’ Aadi is the dusk of their day when their day transitions into night.
It is believed that during the Aadi month, the Sun God changes the direction of his chariot from north to south, thereby paving the way for climatic changes.
Significance of Aadi Velli
1st Aadi Friday dedicated to the Goddess of Wealth: 1st Friday, you have to pray to Goddess Swarnambika, a form of Goddess Parvati. One who worships this Goddess will be blessed with wealth and prosperity.
2nd Aadi Friday dedicated to the Goddess of AngalaAmman: During the 2nd Friday, offer prayers to the Goddess Angali to be protected from dark powers and negativity.
3rd Aadi Friday for the Goddess Kalikambal: 3rd Friday, pray to Goddess Kalikambal. She is a powerful form of Goddess Parvati. Praying this Goddess will help one to acquire good health and courage.
4th Aadi Friday for the Goddess of Relationship: The 4th Friday of Aadi month is time to invoke Goddess Kamakshi Amman. The Goddess will remove all the obstacles faced by the devotee in their life.
5th Aadi Friday for the Goddess of Overall Prosperity: Last Aadi Friday is for Lakshmi worship, wife of Lord Vishnu. Varalakshmi Pooja falls on this day, and this pooja is a significant one for all women devotees. They pray to the Goddess for the well-being of their husbands.
The Mythology behind Aadi Velli
It is believed that the Mother Goddess manifested in this month to establish peace and harmony in the world. Moreover, the Goddess appeared in many Holy centers and enhanced the divine vibrations of these localities with her presence.
She is worshipped in different names and forms by the devotees. They call her Mariamman, Ellai amman, Kanni amman, etc. The woman devotees worship the Goddess primarily to fulfill their marriage and fertility wishes.
Rituals of Aadi Velli
Aadi Velli is of great significance to women devotees as many special rituals are performed in the month.
- Aadi Velli is famous for performing pujas dedicated to Nagas (Snakes). The Naga puja is of great importance and carries great religious significance to Amman devotees.
- Varalakshmi Puja, an important ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, is performed on a Friday in the month of Aadi.
- Devotees visit temples and offer ‘Koozh’ (porridge) to the Goddess and later distribute it to the other devotees. Perform special pujas on Fridays.
- Women also exchange Thambulam – a plate containing Betel leaves, Betel nuts, turmeric, kumkuma, coconut, and cloth – after Friday prayers.
- The devotees offer the Goddess Maa Vilakku (made using rice flour, jaggery, and ghee).
- The women devotees carry pots of turmeric water and pour it over a wooden staff erected at the temple. The wooden staff is considered as Mother Goddess.
- The women devotees cook Sakkarrai Pongal at the temple campus and offer it to the Goddess.
- Goddess is offered garlands made of lemons.
Benefits of Observing Aadi Velli Vratham
The benefits of observing the Aadi Velli Vratham are as follows.
- The blessings and grace of the Mother goddess would be available in abundance during this month.
- If issueless couples observe this vratham, they will be blessed with progeny.
- Devotees observe fast to the Goddess to be freed from all the problems.
- Female devotees pray for the long life of their husbands.
- Unmarried girls pray to the Goddess to get a good husband.
List Aadi Month Festivals and Events
For your easy reference, a list of the significant Aadi month festivals and events is given.
- Aadi Pirappu – The first day of the Aadi month is Aadi Pandigai or Aadi Pirappu and is an important festival to most Tamils, especially newly-weds. It is marked with special puja and a sumptuous feast.
- Aadi Amavasai – The No moon day of the Aadi month is dedicated to offering Shradh and Tarpan to dead ancestors.
- Aadi Pooram – Pooram star of the Aadi month is very special to Goddess Parvati. This day is also the star birthday of the famous female saint, Andal, one of the 12 great Alwars of Sri Vaishnavism.
- Varalakshmi Puja – The Vrata observed on Friday before the Full Moon, or Pournami day, of Tamil Month Aadi, is Varalakshmi Puja. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on this day shall bring the blessings and grace of the Goddess Lakshmi upon you and your family.
- Aadi Perukku – Aadi Perukku or Padinettam Perukku is celebrated on the eighteenth day of this Tamil month Aadi. The people of Tamil Nadu celebrate the monsoon through this festival. People worship the rivers (water bodies) for more rains and abundant agricultural yield.
- Aadi Karthigai – This Karthigai star of the Aadi month is ideal for performing Lord Muruga worship.
- Puthukku Paal: The majority of the people consider snakes as a form of gods. During the Tamil months of Aadi and Thai, the devotees visit a Snake bill and offer milk and egg to the Snakes. They also bring sacred mud from the snake bill and apply it to their body to cure their health aberrations. The devotees pour milk to snake idols and perform pooja to get rid of their Nagadosha.
Surrender to the Goddess with pure heart, perform and take part in Aadi Velli Pooja and receive the choicest blessings of the Goddess.
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