Aadi month is right around the corner, and it is always a special time of the year for people in Tamil Nadu. It is time to make Aadi Koozh and worship at Amman temples, pray to the river Goddesses and rain God for abundant rain so that the next harvest will be bountiful. That’s not all. Newly-wed women return to their parental homes for a month’s separation from their new husbands, while unmarried women ask the Goddess to give them a good husband.
Aadi month is not ideal for auspicious functions like marriages, but it is a very holy month that sees religious celebrations and observances throughout the month. One of these is Aadi Perukku.
Perukku means ‘rise’ and refers to the rise in water levels in the Cauvery river and other water bodies. This happens because it is the monsoon season when abundant rains make the rivers overflow. This has great significance for farmers who depend on the rains for a good harvest. So people worship the Cauvery river as a Goddess who brings them a good harvest, good fortune, and prosperity.
Aadi Perukku Pooja and rituals are performed at riverbanks, wells, reservoirs, etc. People gather at riverbanks in large numbers to take part in such rituals. They also do Pooja at home and visit temples to see the celebrations.
The festival reminds us of the importance of water and water bodies. Today, we hear of rampant encroachment of water bodies which leads to flooding and environmental degradation. Man’s greed is limitless, but Mother Nature has her own ways of punishing those who treat her with disrespect.
Water helps sustain life and livelihoods. So we need to preserve and protect water bodies. We also need to respect Nature. If the rains desert us, the result would be calamitous. Crops would fail, and people would face starvation. In their wisdom, the ancient people recognized such truths and created these religious observances so that future generations would never forget such valuable lessons.
Aadi Perukku is a special time to worship and celebrate the Goddesses. These Goddesses are also called Amman or Mother, and they are different forms of the Divine Mother or Goddess Parvati, also called Shakti.
To celebrate Aadi Perukku Festival, devotees visit Amman temples which have great significance for this festival.
Let us explore some of the famous Amman shrines or temples in Tamil Nadu which draw large numbers of devotees during the Aadi Perukku festival.
Varahi Amman is one of the most important Amman deities. She has a shrine in the famous Brihadheeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. It is exclusively dedicated to the Goddess. This renowned Shiva temple lies on the south bank of the Cauvery river. Emperor Rajaraja Chola I built it between 1003 and 1010 CE.
Bangaru Kamakshi Amman
This temple stands on West Main Street, Thanjavur. It was built in the 18th century during the reign of the Maratha ruler, Prathap Singh Bhonsle of Thanjavur. The idol of the goddess is made of gold. Bangaru means ‘gold’ in Telugu. The idol was originally in Kashi and was moved to south India during the Mughal period for safety.
Punnainallur Mariyamman
At this temple, the main deity is Mariyamman, and her idol is made of sand. Hence, no Abishekam is done to the goddess. The temple lies on the outskirts of the city, which is 7 kms away from the Town Bus stand.
Kodiyamman Kovil
This temple is situated at the entrance of Thanjavur town. Kodiyamman is a powerful goddess who has the powers of both Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti. This temple lies around 6-7kms from the Town bus stand.
Nisumbasudhini Amman
This temple is in East Gate. This Amman has other names including Vada Bhadra Kali Amman, Raaghukaala Kaali Amman, etc. She was the war deity of the Chola rulers. This ancient temple was established by Vijayalaya Chozha. It is within 2 km of the Town bus stand.
Ekauri Amman
The temple is found in the village of Vallam, which lies on the highway from Thanjavur to Trichy. Lime juice is the Prasad here. The Goddess here has 2 faces, of which one is ferocious and angry, while the other is calm and peaceful. This Amman (Goddess) is also called Vallathu Pattikai, Makali etc. This temple lies within 6 kms of the New Bus stand in Thanjavur.
