Aadi Perukku

 

Tithi Observance

• Festival Date (2025): Saturday, 2 August 2025
• Tamil Calendar: Celebrated on the 18th day of Aadi month (ஆடி 18), hence also called Pathinettam Perukku
• Tithi: Falls during the Shukla Paksha of Aadi month, aligning with the rising water levels in rivers due to the monsoon

Significance

• Thanksgiving to Water: Aadi Perukku honors the life-sustaining power of water, especially rivers like Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabarani
• Agricultural Blessings: Marks the beginning of sowing season; farmers pray for a bountiful harvest
• Spiritual Renewal: Symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and purification, especially for women and newlyweds

Legends

• Kaveri’s Divine Journey: According to legend, River Ganga sought purification and was advised by Lord Krishna to merge with Kaveri. Overjoyed, Kaveri surged to visit sacred Vishnu temples like Srirangam, Shivanasamudra, and Srirangapatna, which is commemorated as Aadi Perukku
• Amman Worship: The festival is also associated with Goddess Muthumariamman, the rain and fertility deity, who is worshipped for marital harmony and agricultural prosperity

Rituals

Core Observances

• Holy Dip: Devotees bathe in rivers to cleanse sins and renew energy
• Offerings to River: Flowers, turmeric, kumkum, fruits, and Kalandha Sadham (mixed rice dishes) are offered
• Floating Lamps: Women float lamps made of jaggery and rice flour on mango leaves with turmeric and yellow thread
• Sacred Thread: Married women tie a new yellow thread around their necks for their husband’s longevity

Traditional Foods

• Coconut rice, lemon rice, tamarind rice, curd rice, sweet pongal – all part of the Kalandha Sadham feast

Temple Visits

Prominent Temples During Aadi Perukku

• Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple – Lord Ranganatha visits Amma Mandapam for river puja
• Kaveri Amman Temples – Special abhishekams and pujas
• Mariamman Temples – Especially in Samayapuram, Punnainallur, and Tiruchendur
• Temples with sacred tanks – Rituals are performed even if rivers are not nearby

Regional Observance

Region	Practices
Tamil Nadu	Celebrated along Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabarani rivers
Kongu Nadu	Known as Aadi Nōmbi; includes Mulaipari and kolam traditions
Sri Lanka	Tamil communities observe similar rituals near water bodies
Karnataka	Celebrated in Cauvery basin regions like Kodagu and Mandya