Aadi Pooram - Monday, 1st August 2022
Aadi Pooram - is a festival celebrated by us, especially, those who worship Lord Vishnu! Just like the English calendar, the Tamil calendar also has 12 months - one of them is named ‘Aadi’ - considered to be a holy and sacred month. And there are 27 stars as per the Hindu Astrology - The day on which the star ‘Pooram’ occurs is the day called ‘Aadi Pooram’.
This has a special significance. There are 12 great Vaishnavites saints known famously as ‘Alwars’ and one among the Alwars was ‘Andal’. She is supposed to be the incarnation of the Goddess Lakshmi and was born and brought up by another Alwar, known as ‘Periyazhwar’ at Sri Villiputhur, Tamilnadu. Andal was born on the day of Aadi Pooram which is celebrated by the Hindus. It is also known as ‘Andal Jayanthi’.
Legend of Andal
✤ Periazhwar originally called as Vishnuchittar was an ardent devotee of Perumal and he used to string garland to god every day. He was childless and he prayed to God to save him from the longing.✤ One day, he found a girl child under a Tulasi plant in a garden inside the temple. The child was goddess Sri Mahalakshmi herself.
 |
| The Garden where Periyazhvar found the Child Andal |
✤ He and his wife named the child as Kothai, who grew up as a devotee of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, the supreme God. Kodhai was brought up by Vishnuchitta (Periyalvar) in an atmosphere of love and devotion.
✤ She is believed to have worn the garland before dedicating it to the presiding deity of the temple. Periazhwar, who later found it, was highly upset and scold her.
✤ Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked him to dedicate only the garland worn by Andal to him. The girl Kothai was thus named Andal and was referred to as சூடிகொடுத்த சுடர்க்கொடி, or "Chudikodutha Sudarkodi" (lady who wore and gave her garland) to Lord Vishnu.
✤ As Kodhai grew into a beautiful maiden, her fervor for the Lord grew to the extent that she decided to marry only the Lord himself. As time passed, her resolve strengthened and she thought constantly about marrying Ranganathar of Thiruvarangam (the reclining form of Vishnu).
 |
| Andal Thirukalyanam |
The festival
Thus, Aadi Pooram is the celebration of the birth day of Andal and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour in the places all over the world with the Tamil population.
The day of Aadi Pooram is also observed as the day of Goddess Shakti as it is believed that the Goddess herself comes to Earth in this auspicious day, to bless Her devotees. The devotees, therefore, worship their deity with full dedication to lead a happy and prosperous life.
The story of Goddess Andal is known all through the state of Tamil Nadu and her devotion to Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu) is widespread in the whole of southern India. A grand marriage ceremony of Goddess Andal and Sri Ranganathaswamy is conducted at all Vishnu temple. This event is also known as ‘Andal Thirukalyanam’.
In the temples, Goddess Andal is adorned with silk saree, glittering jewelleries and garlands. An elaborate feast is offered to the Goddess that is contributed by every household in the community.
In the temples, Goddess Andal is adorned with silk saree, glittering jewelleries and garlands. An elaborate feast is offered to the Goddess that is contributed by every household in the community.
Celebrations of different kinds on the same day
♫ The celebrations of Aadi Pooram are very splendid in almost all the Lord Vishnu temples located in Tamil Nadu.
♫ The day also holds immense significance in Goddess Shakti temples scattered all over the country. In the Shiva temples, the day of Aadi Pooram is observed as the festival of ‘Valaikappu’.
♫ In the event, glass bangles are offered to Goddess Ambal and then distributed among all devotees. It is believed that by wearing these bangles, the couples will be blessed with offspring and also when pregnant women wear these bangles; it shields their child from all the evil forces.
♫ In the event, glass bangles are offered to Goddess Ambal and then distributed among all devotees. It is believed that by wearing these bangles, the couples will be blessed with offspring and also when pregnant women wear these bangles; it shields their child from all the evil forces.
♫ By chanting Kanakadhara Stotram, Sri Mahalakshmi Ashtakam we may bring happy & prosperous in our life on this auspicious day...
