The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : A month filled with activities

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Monday, Jul 21, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

A month filled with activities

The fourth month in Tamil calendar – Aadi – is not considered an auspicious period for any new venture or acquisition.

Yet, this month is considered very sacred as far as spiritualism and religiosity go. Ever wondered how the contradiction works? It is said that the months of Aadi and Margazhi are meant for absolute devotion to spiritual pursuits for the religious min ded people.

It is considered very auspicious for the worship of Goddess Amman and seeking blessings for peace, prosperity and happiness of mankind. So people are involved in various spiritual activities rather than in festivities. That is why social activities like marriages and upanayanams are not encouraged as such ceremonies would distract from the higher goal set.

Also, the months from Aadi to Margazhi is the Dakshinayana punyakalam – symbolically the night time of the Devas. Traditionally, it is believed that the ceremonies held during this period will not have the blessings of the gods.

Another reason is that the month of Aadi culminates with the start of the rains in the country. It is the time when Monsoon peaks on the West Coast and the rivers of Tamil Nadu, shrunken by the summer heat, get replenished and are in full spate. Being an agrarian country, people get involved in agricultural activities in this month preparing for their next crop and do not have the time or money to partake in festivities in this month. Ceremonies and activities such as marriage, house warming ceremony, changing the house, buying of land, which incur huge expenses, are therefore avoided.

Over the years Aadi has acquired different hues and even got somewhat commercialised what with attractive discounts on consumer goods thrown in by businessmen to offset their otherwise low sales during this period. Yet what marks Aadi is its celebratory mood. It is believed that the Sun transits from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere ushering in different astrological influences. Aadi is the important month, which kick-starts the festival season. For, in the month of Avani, which follows, all the important festivals begin. Hence the phrase - Aadi azaikirathu.

Rest of the year’s major festivals are packed into the six months that follow, culminating with Makara Sankranthi or Thai Pongal in mid- January.

The most visible manifestation of Aadi is the huge ‘kolams’ that are painstakingly patterned early each morning in front of houses. They are usually bordered with red ‘kaavi’ and across the front doorway at the top are strung mango leaves.

The first day of Aadi, usually falls on July 16, and is celebrated as Aadi Pandigai or Aadi Pirappu, which is particularly important for new weds. While the entire month is marked with special pujas, followed by 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 Krithigai (which falls on July 27 this year) is an important festival dedicated to Lord Muruga or Subramaniya. Devotees carry flower Kavadis on Aadi Krithigai day.