Aadi Krithigai Story & Celebrations

Aadi Krithigai is an important festival for the Tamil people, and it honors the patron god of Tamil Nadu, Murugan. The festival is held in the Tamil month of Aadi. The festival is celebrated with great zeal in the Murugan Temples, especially the Aaru Padai Veedu in Tamilnadu.

Aadi Krithigai highlights the special relationship between a mother and her child. Muruga is the second son of the Hindu deities, Shiva and Parvati. The Skanda Purana describes Muruga’s birth and feats on the battlefield against fierce demons. In Tamil, ‘Muruga’ means ‘beauty’. He is the epitome of beauty, courage, and Jnana, or supreme knowledge. On this day, there will be special Poojas, Abishekams, and Yagnas for Muruga in many temples. At the Aaru Padai Veedu (6 battle camps of Muruga) Temples, hordes of devotees who have come by foot, traversing long distances, offer Kavadi for the deity.

Aadi Krithigai Celebrations

The Aarupadai Veedu temples — Tiruttani, Thiruchendur, Swamimalai, Palani, Pazhamudircholai, and Thirupparankundram – witness grand celebrations on this day. Devotees carry flower Kavadi to Muruga temples on this day. The Muruga idols in temples are lavishly decorated on this day and offered milk, panchamrutham, and rice.

Homa and special Poojas are performed, and many devotees observe a fast. Devotees spend the day singing devotional songs and chanting Mantras.

Kavadi attam, a special dance, is performed on this day. The belief is that one can gain many benefits by fasting and performing Pooja on this day. Obstacles and hardships in one’s life may be removed, and one can get wisdom and happiness.

At the Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruttani, which is also one of the Aaru Padai Veedu temples, there can be more than 400,000 devotees on Aadi Krithigai day. To fulfill their vows, they carry Kavadi and climb up the 365 steps of the hillock there. A 3-day float festival is also held on this occasion at the temple.

 Story of Aadi Krithigai

Muruga is believed to have first appeared on earth on Aadi Krithigai day.

Aadi Krithigai is also celebrated to symbolize the victory of good over evil, as Murugan killed the demon Surapadman and his brothers. After his victory, Muruga gave boons to his devotees.

The Scriptures claim that Muruga was born as 6 different babies from 6 sparks of fire that emanated from Shiva’s 3rd eye. The sparks were deposited in the Ganges river by Agni and Vayu. The Ganges carried him to a marshy lake called Saravana Poigai in the Himalayas filled with reeds. Here, the sparks turned into 6 babies.

The Krithigai maidens (the six stars of the Pleiades), who were traversing the skies at this time, heard the gurgles of the babies from the Saravana Poigai.

Filled with maternal love, the maidens picked up the babies and took care of them.  

The 6 babies represent

1. Desire (Kama)

2. Consciousness (Shiva)

3. Earth (Parvati)

4. Fir (Agni)

5. Water (Ganga)

6. Space (Krittika)

Importance of Krithigai Nakshatra in Aadi Month

The Krithigai star or Nakshatra is very auspicious to worship Muruga. Aadi Krithigai is even more important as Aadi is the first month in the Dakshinayana Punyakalam – when the Sun starts moving from north to south. During this 6-month period, no auspicious functions like marriages, housewarming, etc., are held, as this is the night-time of the gods. But this period is ideal for spiritual activities. Aadi month, especially, is filled with various festivals like Aadi Pooram, Aadi Perukku, Aadi Pathinettu, etc.

How to Observe Aadi Krithigai Fast

On Aadi Krithigai day, one should arise early in the morning and take a bath. Then one needs to clean the Pooja room and place a hexagonal bowl of rice flour before Murugan’s idol.

After this, light a ghee lamp on both sides of Murugan’s idol/image. Then place flowers and fruits on the ground. Read the “Kanda Shasti Kavasam” or “Shanmuga Kavasam” without drinking food or water.

One can observe a total or Nirjala fast by drinking only water for the whole day. Those who require food can have unsalted food throughout the day. In the evening, visit the nearest Murugan temple, offer prayers and complete the fast.

Benefits of Aadi Krithigai Fasting

Aadi Krithigai Fast is believed to remove your bad karma. It reduces the negative effects of Mars affliction in the horoscope. It can also eliminate obstacles to marriage. The dream of owning a home can be fulfilled. If one prays to Murugan with devotion on Aadi Krithigai, all the doshas, ​​obstacles, and problems can be overcome, and one can get a prosperous life.

Aadi Krithigai 2023 Date

Aadi Krittigai is on the day of Krittika nakshatra in Aadi month. Aadi Krithigai 2023 is on Wednesday, 9th August.