Significance of Aadi Pooram

What is Aadi Pooram?

Aadi Pooram is an important festival for Tamilians. They celebrate the birthday of Goddess Andal on this day. She was an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. The festival is held during Aadi (July-August) month. Pooram is one of the 27 Nakshatras or stars. This year, Aadi Pooram is on August 1, 2022, a Monday. Aadi Pooram festival is also associated with Goddess Shakti. It is the day of Valaikaapu (baby shower) for Goddess Parvati. Devotees believe that the Goddess comes to earth on this day to bless her devotees. Priests perform special Archana and Aarti to the Goddess at Shiva temples on Aadi Pooram. They also offer glass bangles to the Goddess, which are then offered as prasad to the women devotees who visit the temples on this day. The belief is that married women who wear these bangles will be blessed with offspring. Pregnant women who wear them can have a safe delivery as the Goddess supposedly protects the child from evil forces. Andal’s story is known to all Tamilians. Her love and bhakti (devotion) for Lord Ranganatha (a form of Vishnu) is the stuff of legend.

Who was Andal?

Andal was the incarnation of Bhooma Devi, who was the second consort of Vishnu. She incarnated on Aadi Pooram day. So this day is celebrated as the birthday of Sri Andal. Periyalwar, who was one of the 12 Vaishnavite saints, found her as a child in a Tulsi garden at Srivilliputhur and adopted her. He named her Kothai.

Andal’s Love for Vishnu

Even when she was a child, she was very devoted to Vishnu. It was she who would string the flowers into garlands for Vishnu. But before giving the garland to her father, she would wear it and admire herself in the mirror. After this, she would hand over the garland to her father. Her father did not know that she had worn the garland. One day, he caught her in the act and became very upset. It was not allowed in devotional practice for a human to wear a garland meant for God. And Andal knew it, too. He scolded his daughter and took a fresh garland to the temple. But Vishnu refused to accept it. That night, he came in a dream and told Periyalwar that he would accept only Andal’s garlands. When Andal attained womanhood, Periyalwar arranged her marriage. But she was adamant that she would marry only Lord Ranganatha of Sri Rangam. This worried him. Lord Vishnu again came in his dream and told him to bring Andal to Sri Rangam so that he could marry Her. Their marriage took place on Panguni Uthiram day.

Rituals during Aadi Pooram:

On this day, women of the household rise early and decorate their house beautifully with rangolis/kolams. Goddess Andal loves the lotus flower, the color red, and kalkandu rice. The women also prepare an elaborate meal which they offer to the Goddess. Devotees also read the ‘Thiruppavai’ and ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam’.

Aadi Pooram Festivities

Most of the Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu hold grand celebrations during Aadi Pooram. The Goddess Andal temple at ‘Srivalliputtur’ has very elaborate celebrations on this occasion, as Andal was supposedly born in this place. It is a 12-day festival here. Aadi Pooram is also a major event at Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple. Here, it goes on for ten days. The nuptials or ‘Thirukalyanam’ of Lord Ranganatha and Andal is held with great pomp and fanfare on the last day of the festival. The belief is that unmarried girls who worship Goddess Andal on the last day will tie the knot soon. If Aadi Pooram falls on a Friday, it is even more auspicious, and the celebrations will be more elaborate and have many rituals. An elaborate feast is also offered to the Goddess. Every household in the community contributes to it. There is a special Aadi Pooram Pooja and Archana for Andal. Glass bangles are given as prasad to female devotees at Vishnu temples, too. Special rituals are performed to the accompaniment of traditional music, and the festivities continue till late at night. After the ‘aarti’ is performed, the food is offered to the devotees. Devotees also read the ‘Thiruppavai’ and ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam’. At some Vishnu temples, Thirukalyana Urchavam is performed. People make the sweet dish, Kalkandu Saadham (sweet rice made with crystalized sugar), and offer it to the Goddess.