Chennai: The Tamil month of Aadi, the fourth month in the calendar, is considered significant for both spirituality and agriculture. As the proverb "Aadi pattam thedi vidhai" (Sow in the Aadi season) suggests, this month marks the grand beginning of farming activities. Spiritually, Aadi is celebrated with a continuous series of special days like Aadi Velli (Fridays), Aadi Sevvai (Tuesdays), Aadi Amavasai, Aadi Pooram, and Aadi Krithigai. Falling in this series, the auspicious festival of Aadi Perukku, which honors river goddesses, will be celebrated tomorrow (August 3, Sunday).
Aadi Perukku: The Festival of Rivers!
Celebrated on the eighteenth day of the Aadi month, Aadi Perukku is a festival that rejoices in the abundant flow of rivers. On this day, people gather at riverbanks and other water bodies like lakes and ponds to perform worship. It is believed that immersing oneself in the flowing river water will wash away all sorrows and hardships. Furthermore, it is a popular belief that any new venture started on Aadi Perukku will be successful.
A Ritual to Strengthen Marital Bonds:
Aadi Perukku holds immense significance for newlyweds. On this day, it is customary for married couples to replace the yellow thread of their thali (mangalsutra) with a fresh one. This ritual is performed with the belief that it will strengthen the bond between the couple and increase the husband's longevity and the couple's marital harmony (Mangalya Balam).
Auspicious Timings to Change the Thali: According to spiritual elders, the most auspicious timings for this ritual on Aadi Perukku (August 3, 2025) are:
Morning 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Morning 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
These times are considered highly favorable for renewing the marital thread and receiving the blessings of the Goddesses.
Worship Rituals at Home:
For those who cannot visit rivers or temples, the worship can be performed at home.
Begin by cleaning the house and lighting a lamp.
A lamp can be lit near a water source inside the house, such as a water tap or a well.
Sweet dishes like Sakkara Pongal and Payasam can be prepared as Neivedhyam (ritual food offering), celebrating the day with a festive meal.
The husband can tie the new yellow thread around his wife's neck while praying for a long and happy married life. The wife can also tie a yellow thread on her husband's wrist.
Rituals for Unmarried Individuals: Unmarried men and women seeking a life partner can also perform special prayers on Aadi Perukku. The ritual involves tying a yellow thread on their wrist, seeking blessings from elders, and then releasing it in flowing water after three days. This is believed to help them find a suitable match soon.
The rituals and traditions of Aadi Perukku contribute to the happiness and prosperity of the family. The Indiaglitz team wishes everyone a joyous and blessed Aadi Perukku, filled with the grace of the river goddesses.