Aadi Pooram – The Traditional Festival of Tamil Nadu

Aadi Pooram is the Star Day of Pooram in the Tamil month of Aadi. And Aadi Pooram happens to be the Day of Goddess Andal's incarnation on earth, and hence the term itself refers to the auspicious occasion of Andal's birth.

Aadi itself, which extends from mid-July to mid-August, remains a Sacred month when people do worships, observe austerities, and celebrate festivals dedicated mainly to the various Goddesses. And it looks only appropriate that Andal, too, descended on this earth plane in that holy month. Astrology, too, holds Star Pooram in esteem and considers Aadi Pooram as marking a new beginning.

There are legends that assert that Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and the Divine consort of the Supreme Protector Vishnu, descended on earth for the redemption of earthly beings. Hence, people attach much significance to Aadi Pooram and devote the Day to worships, prayers, and celebrations, like Aadi Pooram Pooja and Aadi Pooram Festivals. And Aadi Pooram remains one of the well-celebrated traditional festivals of Tamil Nadu.

The Mythology of Andal

The religious texts narrate the interesting story of Andal, about her amazing birth and marriage.

Saint Periyalwar found Andal as a baby in his garden in his place Srivilliputhur and brought her up as his daughter naming her Kodhai. Periyalwar was an ardent devotee of Vishnu, and Kodhai started learning from her father, about Vishnu and his incarnations, especially about the widely loved and worshiped Divine charmer Krishna. As she grew up, her devotion to Krishna also grew along with her, to the extent that she made a firm resolve to marry only Krishna and none else! She also proved to be a good poet and composed many hymns, called Pasurams, in praise of Vishnu, particularly her beloved Krishna.

Periyalwar had a garden in which he grew many flowers, made garlands out of them, and offered them daily to the deity in the Temple nearby, an aspect of Lord Vishnu, for adorning him. Andal, who involved herself wholeheartedly in this service, felt that she too should wear the garland before they reached the deity and see for herself how she looked as a bride and satisfy herself that she was indeed the right partner for the Lord. But she knew it might not be to her father's liking, so she tried the garlands without his knowledge and was happy to find herself beautiful.

But one Day, Periyalwar found out what his daughter was doing, showed his displeasure to her, and offered another fresh garland to the Lord. But the Lord made it clear that he was happy to wear only the garland already worn by his daughter, making Periyalwar realize that his foster daughter was a Divine incarnation. Thus, Kodhai became 'Andal,' 'the ruler of the Lord,' and 'Choodi Koduththa Sudarkodi,' 'who wore the garland and then only gave it to the Lord!'

Subsequently, the Lord indicated that he intended to wed Andal and take her as his consort and directed Periyalwar to decorate her as a bride and bring her to his Temple in the holy town of Srirangam. Accordingly, the Alwar reached Srirangam when Ranganatha, the presiding deity of the Temple, married Andal, and she merged with him.

Aadi Pooram Celebrations

Aadi Pooram is one of the festivals which the people of Tamil Nadu from all over the state celebrate traditionally with enthusiasm. While Aadi is already a Sacred month when people perform many worships and rituals for women deities like Amman, Aadi Pooram, Goddess Andal's birthday adds to its religious fervor and leads to festivities both at home and in Temples, involving elaborate Aadi Pooram Poojas and Aadi Pooram Festivals.

On Aadi Pooram, people do Aadi Pooram Pooja at home, when women clean their houses and decorate them, draw Kolams (Rangolis) at the entrance and the place earmarked for the Pooja, install the images or pictures of Andal and Krishna, decorate them with sandal paste, Kumkum, silk clothes and flowers, light lamps, offer fruits, specially prepared dishes and sweets as oblations, recite Mantras and hymns in praise of the Divine couple, sing songs from Andal's compositions and perform the Aadi Pooram Pooja and Aarti. Then they distribute the offerings as Prasad to others.

Likewise, grand celebrations take place in Vishnu Temples, where they hold the annual Aadi Pooram Festivals for several days. And naturally, the greatest of such festivities takes place in Andal's birthplace, Srivilliputhur Temple, witnessed by thousands of devotees. They perform Abishekam to the deity Andal, decorate her idol with silk clothes and varieties of colorful flowers, perform Archana and other worships, and organize processions daily in various mounts around the Temple, including the car festival. The high point of the 12-Day festival is the grand marriage ceremony of Andal with Rangamannar (Vishnu), complete with all rituals, chanting, and singing in the background of the playing of traditional instruments. They also distribute Prasad to the devotees.

Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple, where, according to legend, Andal joined the Lord as his Divine consort, also celebrates Aadi Pooram Festival with fervor and performs the Andal-Ranganatha marriage.

Devotees believe that performing the Aadi Pooram Pooja and participating in the Aadi Pooram Festivals, and earning the grace of Goddess Andal and the Lord can bless them with good life partners and a long, healthy, prosperous, and satisfied life.