An Overview

Aadi Perukku is a Tamil Nadu monsoon celebration observed on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi. Pathinettam Perukku or Aadi 18 is a celebration that celebrates the arrival of new water from monsoon rains in rivers. It is mostly observed by Hindus who live on or near the banks of the Cauvery and its tributaries.

In the following article, we’ll dive into the history of Aadi Perukku. We will also learn the importance it holds in the hearts of the natives of Tamil Nadu.

About Aadi Perukku

Aadi Perukku is an important festival in a farmer’s life. There is a mythical idea that whatever we accomplish on this fortunate day will come back to us several times over.

After harvest, every farmer anticipates with excitement. An increase in water levels in reservoirs and other water sources to begin the planting process for the following season. As a result, people offer prayers to rivers and water sources for a sustainable water resource and a higher harvest in the coming season.

It is also a women’s festival, with ladies of all ages gathering to pray to Ma Cauvery for prosperity. Married women seek her blessings in order to have children; single women seek her blessings in order to find a nice spouse; and newlyweds pray to her that their husbands be as hale and healthy, as happy and cheerful as Ma Cauvery when she delivers the new flood.

How it begins:

Newlyweds find the first Aadi Peruku a memorable event because they replace the mangalya thread knotted on the day of their marriage with a fresh one, incorporating auspicious additions like gold coins and mango-shaped gold ornaments.

On this day, married ladies also replace their old mangalya thread with a new one. Families flock the banks of the Cauvery and other nearby water bodies to express their thanks to nature for providing them with water and food. Women create a light out of rice and jaggery, float it down the river on plantain leaves.

People create Kalavai Sadham, curd rice, lemon rice, tomato rice, sweet pongal, and other rice dishes, and families love eating them while having fun on the river’s banks. Children construct tiny chariots and lead them in a parade. While Dhanteras is the most auspicious day to purchase gold and other precious metals in the North, Aadi Perukku is the most auspicious day to purchase gold in Tamil Nadu.

When is Aadi Perukku 2023?

People observe Aadi Perukku on August 3, 2023, the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi.. It is generally held in late July or early August. The celebration focuses on praising the water bodies because people believe that the entire month of Aadi presages the approach of the monsoon.

How is it observed around the world?

Originally, Aadhi Peruku was only observed by people who resided on the Cauvery River’s banks. To convey the joy of this event, people all over the world, mainly Tamilians, create numerous rice dishes. People all around the world celebrate the Aadi Perukku with their entire family as a form of appreciation and gratitude to mother nature.

Aadi Perukku Puja: The Ultimate Guide

People celebrate Aadi Perukku during the Tamil month of Aadi, which usually takes place between the middle of July and the middle of August. It is largely commemorated by the people of Tamil Nadu in South India and honours water resources, particularly rivers.

People undertake a special puja (worship) at Aadi Perukku to offer gratitude to rivers and seek their blessings. The following is a broad description of how to perform the puja:

● Preparation:

Cleaning and decorating the puja space with flowers and rangoli patterns. Fruits, flowers, turmeric, kumkum (vermilion), sandalwood paste, camphor, incense sticks, betel leaves, betel nuts, and a traditional lamp are all important puja components.

● Invocation:

Invoke Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, to begin the puja by lighting the lamp. Pray to Lord Ganesha for his blessings for a successful puja.

● River Worship:

In the puja area, place a vessel or kalasam filled with water to represent the river. Decorate the vase with flowers and fill it with grains and betel leaves. Pray to the river goddess and ask for her favours.

● Offerings:

Fruits, flowers, coconut, betel leaves, betel nuts, and any other traditional offerings can be made to the river goddess. You can also sing songs or say prayers to the water.

● Arati:

Light the camphor and perform arati (lamp-waving) in front of the god. To represent auspiciousness, move the arati flame in a clockwise motion.

● Prasad:

Finally, distribute the prasad (blessed offerings) to family members and devotees. It is often made up of a combination of betel leaves, betel nuts, fruits, and sweets.

To enhance the spiritual ambience, you can sing devotional songs related to rivers or play recorded religious music in the background throughout the puja.

It should be noted that exact rituals and customs may differ amongst groups and families. For any special instructions or adjustments to follow during the Aadi Peruku puja, it is always essential to speak with elders or a priest.

Significance of Aadi Perukku Puja

The name “Perukku” means “rising” or “overflowing” in Tamil, and the event commemorates the rise of water levels in rivers and reservoirs as a result of monsoon rainfall. It is a method to honour the bodies of water that are essential for agriculture and livelihood.

People especially celebrate Aadi Perukku at riverbanks, ponds, and other bodies of water, where they offer prayers and perform ceremonies to honor the strength and life-sustaining characteristics of water.

The significance of Aadi Peruku Puja includes:

1. Worshipping Water Deities:

Aadi Perukku is devoted to the worship of water as a life-giving factor. The celebration highlights the significance of water in agriculture, wealth, and general well-being. People express their thanks by presenting flowers, fruits, and other customary tributes to rivers and water features.

2. Invocation of deities:

The event is also an opportunity to seek the blessings of water-related deities such as Goddess Parvati, Goddess Ganga, and Lord Varuna. To seek their heavenly blessing and protection, special prayers and rituals are done.

3. Cultural Significance:

Aadi Perukku is celebrated as a cultural festival that fosters community bonds while emphasising the necessity of water conservation. It draws people together, creating social peace and developing a sense of solidarity.

4. Agricultural significance:

Because the holiday falls during the planting season, it is extremely important to farmers. Increased water levels during the monsoon are critical for crop production. Aadi Perukku is considered a good time to begin agricultural work and ask for blessings for a bountiful crop.

5. Rituals and Celebrations:

Women dress in traditional garb and cook a range of unique meals, particularly rice-based delicacies, during Aadi Peruku. They present these foods to the deities, along with fruits, flowers, and other objects, and perform ceremonies on the riverbanks. Singing, dancing, and cultural acts add to the celebratory ambiance.

Overall, Aadi Perukku Puja is a festival that recognises the importance of water, pays reverence to water deities, and promotes the well-being of communities who rely on agricultural and water resources. It is a time to give thanks, develop cultural ties, and ask for blessings for wealth and abundance.

Effects of Aadi Perukku Puja in one’s life

Aadi Perukku Puja is associated with various positive effects in a person’s life. Here are some of them:

1. Gratitude and Appreciation:

Aadi Perukku Puja fosters thankfulness and respect for the numerous resources supplied by rivers. It develops a balanced interaction with the environment and instils a strong appreciation for nature.

2. Spiritual Connection:

Aadi Peruku Puja encourages people to connect with their spiritual side. The rituals and prayers done throughout the festival create a holy environment in which people can experience a greater sense of spirituality and connection with the divine.

3. Purification and Blessings:

People believe that Aadi Perukku Puja cleanses and purifies the mind, body, and soul. They say it cleanses negativity and brings out positive energy. People say that this puja’s blessings bring good fortune and prosperity into one’s life.

4. Bonding of Communities:

The community frequently holds Aadi Peruku Puja with much excitement and involvement. It allows individuals to get together, develop social relationships, and promote a sense of oneness and togetherness.

5. Agricultural Benefits:

Because Aadi Perukku is linked with the monsoon season, it is important to the agricultural community. Farmers hope for plenty of rain and a good crop. The event promotes a positive mindset and optimism for agricultural success.

6. Preservation of Culture:

Aadi Perukku Puja plays an important role in maintaining and strengthening Tamil culture and traditions. It strengthens the Tamil community’s cultural identity by providing a reminder of their rich past and history.

7. Emotional Well-being:

Participating in rituals, praying, and celebrating during Aadi Perukku can have a beneficial influence on a person’s emotional well-being. It enhances general mental and emotional health by bringing joy, contentment, and a sense of fulfilment.

It is important to note that the effects of Aadi Perukku Puja may vary for each individual, and the festival’s significance extends beyond the points mentioned above. Aadi Perukku celebrates a deeply rooted cultural practice that brings people together and cultivates a sense of reverence for nature and spirituality.

To Conclude:

In conclusion, Aadi Perukku is a lively and prominent celebration with deep cultural and religious roots in South India, notably in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is a celebration of nature’s many bounties, particularly water, and serves as a reminder of the critical role it plays in life’s survival.

Aadi Perukku draws communities together through colourful ceremonies, traditional music and dance, and sincere prayers, building solidarity, thankfulness, and reverence for the natural world’s rich offerings. As we celebrate this auspicious anniversary, let us remember Aadi Perukku’s rich legacy and continue to safeguard its principles of environmental preservation, social peace, and spiritual devotion for future generations.

FAQs

Q1: What is Aadi Perukku Puja?

A1: Aadi Perukku Puja is a Tamil festival celebrated to honor the power of water during the Tamil month of Aadi.

 

Q2: When is Aadi Perukku Puja celebrated?

A2: Aadi Perukku Puja is typically celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, which falls in July or August.

 

Q3: What is the significance of Aadi Perukku Puja?

A3: Aadi Perukku Puja is significant as it is believed to propitiate the water deities and express gratitude for the life-giving properties of water.

 

Q4: Is Aadi Perukku Puja specific to a particular region?

A4: Yes, Aadi Perukku Puja is predominantly celebrated by Tamil-speaking communities in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

 

Q5: What is the belief behind Aadi Perukku Puja?

A5: It is believed that performing Aadi Perukku Puja brings prosperity, abundance, and ensures a good harvest by pleasing the water deities.