Significance of Aadi Month

Aadi is the fourth month of the Tamil Calendar and begins on July 17th, 2017. The start of this month is the Dakshinayana punyakalam or the night time of Devas.
Aadi is a month of fervour and observances for Goddess related to Water forces and Natural forces (e.g. Maria Amman temples, Mundakanni amman temples etc.) where prayers and pujas are offered to propitiate the powerful goddesses and seek their protection from the inauspicious aspects that are often associated with the month. The month of Aadi is considered very auspicious to connect oneself to this Divine power. No weddings or other similar functions are celebrated during Aadi as is considered inauspicious.
Also, starting this month the heat of the sun reduces and the rains start. It is during this time that the monsoon peaks on the west coast and the rivers of Tamil Nadu, shrunken in the summer heat, get replenished, often to near full levels. Usually the tamil months are named based on the nakshatra that prevails during the full moon day or Pournami. In Chithirai month, full moon day happens during chithirai nakshathiram, in Vaikasi month during Visaka Nakshathiram and similarly in Aadi full moon day happens during Aashada Nakshathiram and thus this month got the name Aash Aadi(in north) / Aadi(in the south).

Aadi auspicious days are

Aadi Sundays, Aadi Tuesdays (Aadi Chevvai) and Aadi Fridays  ( Aadi Velli) are auspicious.

The Aadi Velli and Aadi Chevvai are of great significance to women as numerous rituals are performed. Women of the neighborhood and friends meet on the Fridays and perform pujas and exchange Thamboolam. Varalakshmi Puja an important ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi is performed on a Friday in the month of Aadi.

Some important festivals celebrated in this month are as follows:

 Aadi Pirappu

The first day of this month, is celebrated as Aadi Pandigai or Aadi Pirappu, which is an important festival to most Tamils, especially newly-weds. The first of the month is marked with a special puja, followed by a feast with ‘payasam’ prepared with coconut milk, ‘puran poli’ and vadai. Traditionally, the family of a ‘pudhu maappillai’ (new son-in-law) is invited to the girl’s house, where the couple is gifted new clothes and other presents.

Aadi Pirappu : 17-July-17

Aadi Amavasai

No moon day in Aadi month dedicated to offering Shradh and Tarpan to dead ancestors.

Aadi Amavasai: 23-July-17

 Aadi Pooram

This month is the birth (Avathara) month of Sri Andal (one among 12 great Alwars of Sri Vaishnavism). The Aadi Pooram ten-day festival is celebrated in all Lord Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu.

Aadi Pooram : 27/26-July -17

Varalakshmi Puja – Worship of Goddess Lakshmi.

The Friday before the Full Moon, or Pournami day, of Tamil Month Aadi is chosen to perform Varalakshmi Puja. The corresponding month in the Kannada, Marathi and Telugu Calendar is the Shravan month. Worshipping Goddess Lakshmi on Varalakshmi Vrata day is equivalent to worshipping Ashtalaksmi – the eight goddesses of Wealth, Earth, Learning, Love, Fame, Peace, Pleasure, and Strength. The importance of Varalakshmi Puja is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. It is believed that importance of Varalakshmi Puja was narrated to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati wanted to know about a Vrata that is highly beneficial to a woman, which will help her lead a happy and prosperous life on earth. Lord Shiva then mentioned about the Varamahalakshmi Vratam.

Varalakshmi Puja: 4-Aug-17

Aadi Perukku

Aadi Perukku or Padinettam Perukku is celebrated on the eighteenth day of this tamil month Aadi.

Aadi Perukku: 3- Aug-17

Aadi Krithigai

Festival dedicated to Lord Muruga.

Aadi Krithigai : 15-Aug-17

Putthukku Paal

Majority of the people also worship snakes during the Tamil months of of Aadi and Thai. They visit a Snake bill and offer cow milk, as offerings to the Snake God. They also bring sacred mud from the snake hill and apply the same on their body with a belief that it will help in getting rid of health aberrations. They offer milk to snake idols and perform pooja to remove the naga dosha for wealth and prosperity.