Aadi or Ashad – Marks the beginning of Festivities
Aadi Masam or the beginning of Sawan in North is the beginning of Dakshinayana Punyakalam or the night time of ‘Devas’. Aadi is a month of fervour and observances in Godess related to Water-forces and Natural forces as the monsoon starts, season of harvesting begins the goddess are appeased for the prosperity.
The Sun traverses in Kataka Rasi during this time and hence ‘Aadi month’ is also called as ‘Kataka’ or ‘Karkataka’- the month of Cancer in the Zodiac Sign. As Aadi marks the twilight zone and beginning of the night time for Devas. As we light the oil lamp in ‘Sandhya-Kalam’ and worship the Gods, Devas also start worshipping Goddess Shakthi in Aadi month. The Sun symbolises fatherhood and the Moon motherhood and the Sun sets forth its journey to meet the Moon in her house ‘Kataka’ in Aadi month.
It is said in Devi Bhagavatham, that if, worshipped in Adi masam even Goddess will bless. As Devas are engaged in worshipping Shakti, auspicious ceremonies like marriages and Upanayanams are not conducted during the month of Aadi or Ashada. It is believed that blessings of Devas cannot be invoked as they are engaged in ‘Shakti-Upasana’.
There is a ritual in South India where the newly married brides go to their parents homes during this period to learn more about religious matters and how to lead a harmonious life in their in-laws’ place.
Auspicious days in Adi are Aadi Sundays, Aadi Tuesdays (Aadi Chevvai) and Aadi Fridays (Aadi Velli).
The Aadi Velli and Aadi Chevvai are of great significance to women as numerous rituals are performed. Women of the neighborhood and friends meet on the Fridays and to do pujas and exchange Thamboolam.
Some important festivals celebrated in this month are as follows:
- Aadi Pirappu(July 17): The first day of this month, usually falling on July 16 is celebrated as Aadi Pandigai or Aadi Pirappu, which is an important festival to most Tamils, especially newly-weds.
- Aadi Amavasai (July 23) – No moon day in Aadi month dedicated to offering Shradh and Tarpan to dead ancestors.
- Aadi Pooram (July 26) – This month is the birth (Avathara) month of Sri Andal (one among 12 great Alwars of Sri Vaishnavism).
4.Naga Panchami (July 27) also known as Garuda Panchami across south india as the snakes are worshipped with cow milk and people throng the snake bill.
- Varalakshmi Puja (August 4) – Worship of Goddess Lakshmi.
- Aadi Perukku (August 6) – Aadi Perukku or Padinettam Perukku is celebrated on the eighteenth day of this Tamil month Aadi.
- Raksha Poornima (August 7) – This fullmoon day is celebrated as Raksha bandhan day and celebrated by siblings with lot of zeal. This day is also celebrated as Jandhyala Poornima across south india as the sacred thread is changed on this day.
- Balarama Jayanthi (August 13) – This day is celebrated for health wealth and prosperiety by the Vaishnavites
- Krishna Ashtami (August 14) – the birth of Krishna is celebrated
- Aadi Karthigai (August 19) – Festival dedicated to Lord Muruga.
