Thiru Aadi Pooram-Sri Andal Jayanthi and Ambal Valaikappu

Generally, the Tamil month Aadi is the most auspicious month for worshipping Goddesses. Aadi Pooram is the day when Parvati, the mother of the entire universe, is incarnated as Uma Devi to protect her devotees and for the world's good. This day is known as Ambal Valaikappu, Seemantam (Baby Shower) in Shaiva temples. Mother Parvati is believed to have undergone all pregnancy stages like an ordinary woman. Hence, all Ambal temples in Tamil Nadu observe the Valaikappu ceremony.

 

Periyalwar is one of the 12 Alwars of the Vaishnava religion. He found her as an infant in a Tulsi garden, adopted and named her Kothai. He has composed two volumes of songs, Andal, Tirupavai, and Nachiyar Thirumozhi. Aadi Pooram festival is celebrated with great pomp in Srivilliputhur for 12 days. In Srirangam, Aadi Pooram is observed for ten continuous days.

 

This day starts early in the morning with special decorations, Aadi Pooram Pooja, and worship in Ambal temples. Priests offer glass bangles to Ambal. Once the Pooja is over, they distribute them to women, especially unmarried girls, and childless women.

 

All Vishnu temples of Tamilnadu celebrate this 10-day festival. On the last day, devotees can take part in a grand Thirumanjanam for Sri Ranganathar and Andal. This special occasion is also known as Thirukalyanam. Priests and devotees recite Thirupavai and Lalita Sahasranamam on the occasion. Special Aadi Pooram Poojas are performed on this day. The devotees receive Prasadam after the Pooja.

 

Aadi Pooram Worship Benefits

On Aadi Pooram, women wake up early, bathe, and make rice flour balls. They light ghee lamps, offer fragrant incense, and decorate and worship her with red flowers and lotus. At home, they offer bangle garlands to Ambal and offer milk Payasam as the main naivedhyam.

Aadi Pooram worship is believed to bring good luck to unmarried women for marriage. Worshipping Ambal and wearing bangles protects women from all evil forces. She blesses them with early marriage and progeny.

 

Places of worship in Aadi Pooram

Many Shaiva and Vaishnava temples observe Aadi Pooram. Some of the main temples in Tamilnadu are:

*The Nellaiyapar temple in Tirunelveli conducts a 10-day festival. On the 4th day, in the swing hall, the temple performs a bangle ceremony for Gandhimati Amman.

* Thiruvarur - Kamalambal, Nagapattinam - Neelayadakshi, Thirukarukavoor - Garbharakshambigai temples celebrate a 10-day Aadi Pooram Brahmotsavam.

* At Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, Karpakavalli Amman blesses with sandalwood bracelets and bangles decoration at night.

* Srivilliputhur Andal Temple will conduct the Thirukalyanam of Ranganathar and Andal Nachiyar.

 

Thus, Vaishnavite and Shaiva temples celebrate the Aadi Pooram festival in the name of Sri Andal Jayanthi and Ambal Valaikappu.