There is a belief that each time Lord Vishnu incarnates, his consort also incarnates with him. One such incarnation was Goddess Aandal, who was an avatar of Goddess Bhu Devi. Aandal was born on Pooram Nakshatra day in the Tamil month of Aadi (July-August). Her birthday is celebrated in Tamil Nadu as Aadi Pooram. It is also called Aandal Jayanthi. At many Vishnu temples, there are grand festivities on this day.
Aadi Pooram is also important in Shiva temples, for, on this day, ‘Valaikappu’ (bangle ceremony) is held for Goddess Parvati. This ceremony is like a baby shower for pregnant women.
During a Valaikappu ritual, the pregnant woman is made to wear colorful glass bangles. The married women who attend the ceremony are also given glass bangles to wear. Glass bangles represent auspicious energy or Mangala Shakti in Hinduism. Hindus believe that by wearing these glass bangles, the woman will have a safe delivery and that the Goddess will protect her and the baby from evil forces.
Aandal’s Story
Aandal was born in a small village in Tamil Nadu called Srivilliputhur. It is in the Virudhunagar district. Nobody knows who her parents were, but Periyalwar or Vishnu Chittar, a Vaishnavite saint, found the child in his garden when he was plucking flowers for worship. As he was childless, he adopted her and raised her as his daughter. He also gave her the name Kothai.
Kothai also became a great devotee of Vishnu, like her father. Her love for Lord Vishnu was so great that she would even wear the tulsi leaf garland she made for the deity around her neck first before giving it to her father. One day, Periyalwar discovered what she was doing and scolded her, saying that garlands meant for the Lord were not meant to be worn by humans. Then he made a fresh garland and took it to the temple.
To his surprise, Vishnu did not accept his garland. Instead, he wanted the garland that Kothai had worn on her neck. When Kothai attained the age of marriage, she told her father that she would marry only Vishnu. Periyalwar was in a dilemma. But that night, Lord Vishnu appeared to him in a dream and told him to bring Kothai to the Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam, where he would make her his wife. So he took Kothai to the temple where she merged with Vishnu.
How is Aadi Pooram Celebrated?
In most Vishnu temples, Aadi Pooram is a 10-day festival that culminates in Thirukalyanam or the wedding ceremony of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Aandal. The festivities are on a grand scale both at the Srivilliputhur Andal temple and Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple. But at the former temple, it is a 12-day celebration. If the Aadi Pooram festival falls on a Friday, it is more auspicious, and the celebrations can be more elaborate.
Aadi Pooram Pooja will be held at temples. Some people do the Pooja at home as well. At the temples, an elaborate feast is prepared for the Goddess. Every household in the community contributes money for the feast. An Archana is also done for Goddess Andal. Devotees offer glass bangles to the Goddess, and the same is distributed to the female devotees as prasad.
It is the custom to read devotional hymns like the ‘Thiruppavai’ and ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam’ on this day. Kalkandu Saadham (sweet rice made with crystallized sugar) is made and offered to the Goddess.
On the final day of Aadi Pooram, the ‘Thirukalyanam’ or wedding of Lord Ranganatha and Andal takes place. Unmarried girls worship Goddess Andal on this day, hoping to marry soon.
The festivities often continue late into the night. After performing the ‘aarti’, food is offered to the devotees.
Aadi Pooram is an important festival in Tamil Nadu which is dedicated to female goddesses like Andal and Shakti.
Aadi Pooram 2022 falls on August 1.
