Aadi Perukku Saturday 3rd August 2019
About Aadi Perukku:
Monsoon season begins in Tamil Nadu in the month of Aadi, when the water level in rivers increases substantially. Aadiperukku is celebrated to show the gratitude of Tamil people to the nature and to thank Mother Cauvery River. Adiperukku is a unique Tamil festival of South India celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi. Hence it is known as “Pathiinettam perukku” , Pathinettu means eighteen, and Perukku refers to rising.
Aadi Perukku usually falls on the 2nd or 3rd of August. Regarded as a water-ritual, this festival is mainly observed by women in Tamil Nadu to honour Nature. Goddess Parvathi Devi is worshipped on this auspicious day by offering different rice dishes. F lowers, Akshata and rice offerings are performed into sacred rivers like Cauveri. Legend says that Parvathi Devi meditated upon Lord Siva to have his divine vision and Lord Siva appeared as Shanka-Naraya swami. It is also believed that the avatar of Shri Bhooma Devi took place in this month.
Usually reservoirs will release water from the well before the start of Adi perukku. All rivers and branches will be filled with water. People take holy bath in the water and perform poojas and rituals at the bathing ghats of the river. After the pooja rituals, the whole family will have the ‘Kalandha Sadham’ (Variety of rice dish) on the river bank.