Aadi Perukku

Aadi Perullu also known as ‘Aadi 18’ is an auspicious festival of the Hindus belonging to the Tamil community. This festival is observed on the 18th day during the Tamil month of ‘Adi’ that corresponds to the months of mid-July-mid-August, as per the Gregorian calendar. Aadi Perukku honours the life-sustaining properties of water, one of the Nature’s gifts to mankind. On this day Mother Nature is worshipped in the form of Amman deities. It is more like a thanksgiving ceremony for Nature’s bountiful grace on mankind.

The month of Adi, marks the onset of monsoon season in Tamil Nadu. Owing to the monsoons, the water level rises in the rivers during this season. Hence the month of Adi is favourable for rooting, sowing and planting of seeds and other forms of vegetation. Aadi Perukku is therefore celebrated to express gratitude to Nature and also thank Cauvery River. Besides, all the perennial river sources of the state of Tamil Nadu including the lakes are also worshipped. It is a special festival that is observed in Tamil Nadu and a unique phenomenon of South India. Aadi Perukku is also called as ‘Padinettam Perukku’ as ‘Padinettu’ in Tamil means ‘eighteen’ and ‘perukku’ implies ‘a rising’. This water ritual is observed predominately by the women folk residing in the state of Tamil Nadu.

Adi is the Tamil month of observances and fervour that is dedicated to Water forces and other Natural forces. During this month pujas and prayers are offered to thank the powerful Goddesses and also to seek protection from the ominous aspects associated with month. It is a belief that the Tamil month of Adi is very auspicious for making connections with the Divine power. Weddings or other related events are not celebrated during the month of Adi as it is considered inauspicious. Aadi Perukku is the festival of fertility that has been practised and patronised since the time of rule of the Kings and Royal family. There has been a mention of this custom even in several historic periods.

Rituals of Aadi Perukku:

On the auspicious day of Aadi Perukku, women worship Goddess Parvati. Different forms of rice dishes are prepared and offered to the Goddess. Some of the commonly prepared rice dishes that vary in ingredients, colors or flavours include coconut rice, sweet Pongal, curd rice, bahala rice, lemon rice and tamarind rice. The devotees also worship the sacred river Mother Cauvery with rice offerings, Akshata and flowers.
The festival of Aadi Perukku is mainly observed by families living on the banks of Cauvery River. On this auspicious day, relatives and friends collectively pray for intermittent supply of water that would ultimately result in a good harvest. The devotees take a dip in the holy water. After the bath, they wear new clothes and perform some rituals at the bathing ghats along the Cauvery River. This is followed by ‘abhishekham’ of Kaveri Amman.
A special lamp is prepared using jaggery and rice flour. The lamp is placed on the mango leaves, to which a yellow thread, turmeric and flowers are also added. The lamp is lit by the women and together with its accompaniments is floated in the river.
A special rice preparation known as ‘Kalandha Sadham’ is prepared on the occasion of Aadi Perukku. After completing the puja, the devotees eat the feast along the banks of the river with their family. The entire event turns out to be like a picnic on the banks of Cauvery River.
Young girls observe this auspicious puja together with married women. It is a popular belief that maiden girls who make the offerings of Kaapparisi (a sweet dish made from jaggery and hand crushed rice), Karugamani (black colored beads) and Kaadholai (earrings carved out of palm leaves) shall be rewarded with good husbands. Young women play and dance to the tunes of folk songs on the occasion of Aadi Perukku.
In some Tamil communities, the son-in-laws are invited on the day of Aadi Perukku and gifted new clothes. There is also a ritual in some districts of Tamil Nadu, wherein the newlyweds spend a month before Aadi Perukku at their parents’ home. Then on the day of Aadi Perukku, a gold coin is added to their ‘Mangalsutra’ or ‘thali’ and they return with their husbands.