As Vandiyadevan rode his horse along the banks of the river Kaveri, he enjoyed the colourful sights & sounds of the Aadi Perukku celebration. Thus begins the story of Ponniyin Selvan, the famous historical novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy.
Water is intricately linked to the lives of the rural people. Monsoon in parts of South India begins in late July/ early August, during the Tamil month of Aadi. Rivers, lakes & tanks fill up & overflow with pure water. On the 18th day of Aadi, people celebrate Aadi Perukku, also known as Padhinettam Perukku. Padhinettu refers to the 18th day of Aadi, & Perukku translates to the rise of waters in the rivers & lakes.
Rivers are the giver of life, an aspect of the Mother Goddess, who is worshiped in various forms in many small temples across the land. They are honoured by women, who play an important role in sustaining the human race.
On this day, women assemble near water bodies early in the morning, & offer prayers, food, & flowers to the water, in gratitude for sustaining life. They prepare lamps made of rice flour & jaggery, called maavilakku. These lamps are lit, placed on mango leaves along with turmeric, flowers & auspicious yellow thread (symbolizing the mangalsutra that married women wear), & set afloat in the water. Unmarried girls pray for a good husband & offer Kaadholai (palm leaf earrings), Karugamani (black beads) & Kaapparisi (hand pounded rice & jaggery). In the evening, families celebrate with various flavoured rice preparations such as puliyodharai (tamarind rice), thengai sadham (coconut rice), elumbichai sadham (lemon rice) & more.
Aadi Perukku commences the festival season in south India, which ends in February (the Tamil month of Thai, with Thai Pusam). There is even a Tamil saying popular among the older generations - Aadi Azhaikkum, Thai Thudaikkum (Aadi Begins, Thai Completes).
This Aadi, may the rivers & lakes rise & bring prosperity and happiness to the world!
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