RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS OF TAMIL NADU
DEVOTION:-"Devotion, An element of life that helps individuals to develop discipline and brings prosperity and good vibration, and made peace and patience of your inner soul."
INTRODUCTION
India is a diversified country, with different cultures and different languages. Although God is one, the way of devotion differs with different cultures in each part of India. In India, there are three festivals of devotion celebrated commonly throughout the entire country. These are Gokulashtami, Vinayagar Chatturthi, and Diwali. This blog focuses on the festivals of the southern part of India, Tamil Nadu, and the cultural aspects of these festivals. This blog focuses on the unique authenticity of these festivals, which only Tamil Nadu celebrates.
TAMIL NEW YEAR'S DAY
MONTH OF APRIL 14
An event called Puthandu is held to commemorate the start of the Tamil New Year. Also known as Puthuvarudam or Varsha Pirappu, this holy day. On the first day of the Chithirai month, Tamil Hindus in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry commemorate this event with joy and zeal.
On the occasion of Puthandu, members of the Tamil diaspora overseas also commemorate this new year's holiday. The most intriguing aspect of Puthandu is that it virtually always occurs on the same day of the Gregorian calendar. People exchange "Puthandu Nalvazthukal," which is Tamil for "Happy New Year," on this day.
The Tamil Hindu Calendar's first day is Puthandu. The Gregorian Calendar indicates that the holiday will be observed on April 14 this year. On this day, Tamil Saka Samvata 1944 will begin. In the state of Tamil Nadu, the day is regarded as a public holiday, and all public offerings are denied. On the day of Puthandu, banks, schools, and many private offices are closed.
The day is also observed in other regions of India. In Kerala, it is known as Vishu, in central and northern India as Baisakhi, in Odisha as Pohela Sankranti, and in Assam as Bihu. According to myth, on the day of Puthandu, Lord Brahma created the universe. Tamil people think that the start of the new year ushers in fresh aspirations. They have a delicious meal with considerable pomp and ceremony as they celebrate the day with family and friends. They go to the temples dressed newly and pray to God for benefits for their family.
Tamilians begin each day by taking a bath and decorating the doorways of their homes with "kolams" made of colored rice powder and flowers. It represents letting good vibes and energy into the homes. Additionally, while singing religious melodies, they prepare Pongal and offer them as 'neivethyam' in worship. A seasonal dish called "Manga-Pachadi" is traditionally made with raw mangoes, tamarind, jaggery, and fresh neem flowers.
People visit their relatives in new attire in search of elders' blessings. There is a legend that on Puthandu eve, one should prepare a tray with items like mango, banana, jack fruit, betel leaves, jewelry, cash, and flowers and set it in front of a mirror. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai holds a festival called "Chitterai Thiruvizha" on the day of the Tamil New Year, while Tiruvidaimarudur hosts an annual Chariot Festival.
VAIGASI VISAKKAM
The most fortunate day to worship Lord Muruga is Vaikasi Visakha. See what the day's main event is and how to worship. In India, the month of Vaikasi is spring since it is late spring. Therefore, Vasant Utsava celebrations are celebrated in the temple on this spring's Vaikasi Visakha Day. There are six stars in the constellation of Visakha Nakshatra.
Lord Muruga is known as Visakha because he was born in the Visakha Nakshatra. Sagan signifies to travel, and V denotes a bird (peacock). It refers to a person who can ride a peacock. Arumukhan, who may have taken the form of this full moon, is in the Vaikasi Visakha Nakshatra. The most fortunate day to worship Lord Muruga is Vaikasi Visakha. See what the day's main event is and how to worship. In India, the month of Vaikasi is spring since it is late spring. Therefore, Vasant Utsava celebrations are celebrated in the temple on this spring's Vaikasi Visakha Day.
This magnificent Vaikasi Visakha Day is observed as Emdharma Rajan's Incarnation Day as well as Arumukhan's Incarnation Day. Therefore, if we fast and perform worship on this day, Muruga will grant us grace and long life. Visagam Vaikasi Specialties Every year on this important day, Ushana Shanti Utsavam, a ceremony to relieve heat, is done in Tiruchendur Subramanya Temple by storing water in the sanctum sanctorum. Small lentil payasam, appam, water, milk, and other items are offered to the Lord on this day.
Six fish idols are inserted into the water tank in the Vasantha Mandapam of the Tiruchendur temple at this festival. Every year, to commemorate the fish that drank the milk from Murugan's lips and lifted the curse of Parasa Muni, six sages are burned in effigy to symbolize the curse being lifted. In the town of Thirumalappadi, Lord Shiva danced with the weapon known as Malu on the auspicious day of Vaikasi Visakha.
A wealth of inscriptions can be seen at the Tanjore Great Temple. According to the inscription, Rajendra Chola ordered that dramatists who presented the tale of Raja Raja Chola, the man who built the large temple, be paid yearly on Vaikasi Visakha day. When Ramalinga Adikala founded his Satyagna Sabha at Vadalur on this day.
On this fortunate day, Maha Utsavam is held in the majority of the temples. When Murugan takes on human form, it is thought that those born will be intelligent and famous for their accomplishments.
The birth of Lord Muruga and his splendor are described to Rama and Lakshmana in the Valmiki Ramayana. The Kumara incident is how Valmiki would refer to this occurrence, claiming that everyone who heard about it would be able to purge their sins and achieve virtue. The poet Kalidasa, in his book Kumara Kishti, specifically, adapts this and describes the episode with Lord Muruga.
ADI POORAM
MONTH OF JULY AND AUGUST
Aandal Jayanti, also known as Aadi Pooram, is one of the most significant holidays observed by Tamils. This event is focused on Goddess Andal, a form of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Pooram is observed during the Aadi month of the Tamil calendar, which corresponds to the English months of July and August. The word ‘Aadi’ signifies the fourth month in the Tamil calendar while ‘Pooram’ denotes one of the 27 Nakshatras mentioned in the Hindu Astrology Since it is believed that the Goddess herself visits Earth on this auspicious day to shower blessings on Her devotees, Aadi Pooram is also observed as Goddess Shakti Day. Therefore, the devotees worship their deity with entire devotion in order to lead a happy and successful life.
Nearly all of the Lord Vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu hold magnificent Aadi Pooram celebrations. In the numerous temples dedicated to Goddess Shakti located around the nation, the day is likewise of great significance. The Aadi Pooram day is celebrated as the "Valaikappu" festival in Saiva temples. Glass bangles are presented to Goddess Andal and subsequently distributed to all of her worshippers throughout the ceremony. Couples who wear these bangles are said to be blessed with children, and pregnant women who wear them are said to protect their unborn children from all evil spirits.
The Goddess Andal temple in Srivalliputtur, Tamil Nadu, the birthplace of Aandal, celebrates Aadi Pooram in a very lavish manner. The 12-day celebration here commemorates the goddess Andal's natal star. For 10 days, this festival is also celebrated in a great way at the "Srirangam Sri Ranganath Temple." The marriage ceremony for Lord Ranganatha and Andal is held on the final day with a lot of fanfare. According to a widely held belief, unmarried girls who worship Goddess Andal on the final day will get married very soon. Additionally, it is believed that when the Aadi Pooram festival happens on a Friday, it is more auspicious and celebrations are more extensive with several rites.
ADI PERRUKU (Adi month 18th day)
Tamil-speaking Hindus celebrate Aadi perukku, also known as Aadi 18, as a fortunate occasion. The Aadi perukku festival is observed on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi which corresponds to the English calendar months of mid-July to mid-August. Aadi Perukku 2022 takes place on Wednesday, August 3.
Water's ability to support life is one of nature's gifts to humanity, and Aadi Perukku honors this fact. Mother Nature is revered on this day in the guise of Amman deities. It is more akin to a liturgy of appreciation for the abundant grace of nature shown to humans.
In Tamil Nadu, the monsoon season begins in the month of Aadi. The monsoons cause the rivers' water levels to rise at this time. Sowing, planting, and rooting of seeds as well as various types of vegetation are all advantageous during the month of Aadi. As a result, Aadi Perukku is a holiday honoring the Cauvery River and the natural world.
Additionally, the state of Tamil Nadu's lakes and all of its perennial river sources are highly revered. It is a unique phenomenon in South India and a special celebration observed in Tamil Nadu.
Since "perukku" denotes "a rise" and "padinettu" in Tamil denotes "eighteen," Aadi Perukku is also known as "Padinettam Perukku." In Tamil Nadu, the majority of the population is female, and they do this water rite.
Aadi Perukku is a lucky day when women worship Goddess Parvati. Rice dishes in a variety of shapes are cooked and offered to the Goddess. Rice meals that are often cooked but have different flavors, colors, or ingredients include coconut rice, sweet Pongal, curd rice, bahala rice, lemon rice, and tamarind rice. With rice sacrifices, Akshata, and flowers, the followers also worship the Mother Cauvery, a sacred river.
Families that reside along the banks of the Cauvery River are the principal participants in the Aadi Perukku celebration. On this auspicious day, family members and friends pray in unison for sporadic water flow that would finally lead to a healthy harvest. The worshippers bathe in the sacred water. At the bathing ghats along the Cauvery River, they carry out some rituals after taking a bath, changing into fresh clothing. The Kaveri Amman "abhishekham" comes next.
Jaggery and rice flour are used to create a special lamp. On top of the mango leaves, the lamp is positioned, and flowers, turmeric, and a yellow thread are also added. The women light the lamp, which they float in the river with its accessories.
On the occasion of Aadi Perukku, a unique rice dish known as "Kalandha Sadham" is made. Following the puja, the devotees enjoy a feast with their families by the river's edge. The whole thing ends up being similar to a picnic on the banks of the Cauvery River.
ADI KUZH VARPPU FESTIVAL
Sage Jamatkani, who excelled at penance, is murdered by the sons of Kartha Veeryarsunan out of jealousy. Renukadevi, Sage Aimadkani's wife, decided to commit suicide after learning this since she could no longer handle her sadness. She started a fire and dove into it. Indra then transformed into the rain, putting out the fire.
Blisters appeared on Renukadevi's body as a result of burns. He gathered adjacent neem leaves and dressed in them to hide the exposed skin.
Renukadevi went to the local villages and requested food because she was starving. Then the populace fed him by giving him tamarind, jaggery, and young water. Renukadevi used this to make porridge and then consume it. Then, Lord Shiva appeared to Renukadevi and declared that the neem clothing you were wearing was the best treatment for curing measles among all people. The best thing you consume is porridge. He granted the wish that the best water is youthful water. The festival of spilling pulp is conducted in the Amman temples during the Adi month to remember this occasion.
Additionally, the Adi month has a significant wind potential. Dust will therefore be present everywhere. As a result, illnesses like cough may develop. They continuously pour the pulp into Mariamman temples to prevent this. The name of this is Aadikanji. The following ingredients should be lightly mashed and knotted in a white cloth: licorice, cumin, tipili, onion, trikatugam, kunni root, uzhinji root, seeratamutti, and kadaladi root. To extract the medications from the cloth bag, either cook the rice in porridge or soak the cloth bag in the porridge for a while before removing it. The porridge is then added, and it is then served. Everyone should use this approach…
VARALAKSHMI NONBU
The Hindu holy day known as Vara MahaLakshmi Vrata is observed on the second Friday of the month of Shravana, which falls between the Gregorian months of July and August, or the Friday before the day of the full moon, or Poornima.
One of the most powerful rituals is the Varalakshmi vratham, which was told by Lord Shiva. Those who adhere to this vratham shall be freed from their sufferings, pains, and financial difficulties. At home, tranquilly and peace shall rule. Women worship Goddess Lakshmi with the deepest devotion on this day, bestowing upon her fruits, sweets, and flowers. Typically, a kalasam (representing the deity) will be decked with flowers, gold jewellery, and sarees, with offerings being placed in front.
After the pooja is over, a rakshai/saradu (holy thread) is among the offerings and is ornamented on the wrists of ladies. A number of items are presented as presents and charitable donations in good faith, and this is worn to symbolise protection and piety. No restrictions on caste or creed apply to the performance of this pooja. Many ladies still commemorate this ancient event today and pray to Varamahalakshmi for her gifts of riches and family stability.
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