Why Aadi month is special in South India? (दक्षिण भारत में क्यों खास है आदि महीना?)

Aadi masam, the fourth month of the Tamil calendar, falls between mid-July to mid-August. It is a time of grand festivities when deities like Kalikambal, Mariamman, Mudakanni Amman and Bhadrakali are worshiped. This month is considered extremely auspicious for performing religious activities and worshiping bhagwan’s, especially Devi’s. Hence, this month is generally avoided for any auspicious ceremony like marriage etc.Following are the important days of Aadi month, which are celebrated as Hindu festivals in South India:

Aadi Pirappu or Aadi Pandigai - The first day of the month of Aadi is celebrated as Aadi Pirappu. The day is celebrated with many auspicious events and visits to temples. Huge kolams (rangolis) are drawn at the door to welcome the Devi’s and special dishes like coconut milk payasam, vada are offered to the deity. This day is especially important for newly married couples. As a tradition, the girl's family invites the new son-in-law to their home and the couple is given new clothes and gifts along with a huge feast.

Aadi Chevvai - The Tuesday of the month of Adi is known as Adi Chevvai and is considered auspicious for worshiping the Devi and performing other rituals.

Aadi Velli - A Friday in the month of Aadi is known as Aadi Velli and is highly auspicious for offering prayers to the divine Devi. Especially the first and third Fridays are considered more auspicious.

Aadi Keerthigai - This day is dedicated to celebrate the warrior-god Muruga. Aadi Keerthigai is celebrated on the day when the moon is in Krittika Nakshatra during the month of Aadi. Special pujas and homas are performed in Muruga temples.

Aadi Amavasya - The new moon day of Aadi month, known as Aadi Amavasya, is dedicated to performing tarpan, shradh and other rituals to the ancestors.

Aadi Pooram - The day when the Moon is in Pooram (East Phalguni) Nakshatra during the month of Aadi, that day is celebrated as Aadi Pooram. The day is celebrated as the birthday of Andal (one of the 12 Alvars of Vaishnavism). The festival is celebrated for 10 days and the tenth day is celebrated as Thirukalyanam (Marriage of Andal to Bhagwan Vishnu). It is believed that unmarried girls who attend this ceremony get married soon. In Shiva temples, this day is celebrated as Valaikappu (baby shower) for Devi Ambal, when glass bangles are showered on the Devi and then distributed among the devotees. It is believed that these bangles can bless you with children and provide protection from the evil eye.

Varalakshmi Puja or Vratam - In Varalakshmi Puja the Devi of wealth - Lakshmi is worshiped in the form of Varalakshmi. Worshiping Lakshmi in this form can bless you with all the eight forms of Lakshmi - wealth, food, knowledge, progeny, power, vehicle and comfort, victory and prosperity. According to Skanda Purana, Bhgawan Shiva himself suggested this puja to his consort Devi Parvati to attain a blissful and prosperous life.

Aadi Perukku - Also known as Pathinettam Perukku, this day is celebrated on the banks of the river Kaveri on the eighteenth day of the month of Aadi. Regarded as a festival of fertility, people celebrate the onset of monsoon and begin sowing seeds, rooting and planting in their fields.

Puthukku Pal - Most of the devotees visit the snake pits during Aadi month and offer milk to the snakes, who are worshiped as serpent-gods. It is believed that anointing snake idols with milk can provide relief from naga dosha.

The divine month of Aadi is celebrated with special pujas and rituals to seek the gracious blessings of the mata for oneself and one's loved ones.