Aadi Perukku // Padinettamper

It is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month Aadi in the Kaveri River basin districts of Tanjore and Trichi when the water level in the river rises significantly.

Aadiperukku, water ritual through religious practice:

Aadiperukku, otherwise called Padinettam Perukku – is peculiar to the Cauvery delta and is intended to celebrate the rising of the river, which is expected to occur invariably on the 18th day of the solar month, Aadi corresponding to the 2nd or 3rd of August. Hence "Padinettam perukku" - Padinettu signifies eighteen, and Perukku denotes rising. This festival is observed predominately by women in Tamil Nadu. The Aadiperukku, as a water-ritual, celebrated by women is said to honour Nature.

Whole families go the river bank and offer puja. There is a belief that young girls who do this puja offering Kaadholai (earrings made of palm leaf), Karugamani (black beads) and Kaapparisi (a sweet made of hand pounded rice and jaggery) will be blessed with good husbands. The families spend the evening by the river, eating preparations of rice like puliyodharai, lemon rice etc. Playing to the tune of Aadiperukku folk songs and Kummi by group by young women are the major attractions during this festival [the song which comes to my mind is "aadi padinettu, aadudhu poonchittu, ellorum kondadungo..." ].

All the year's major festivals are packed into the six months that follow, culminating with Makara Sankranthi or Thai Pongal in mid- January, giving meaning to the Tamil saying, 'Aadi Azhaikkum, Thai Thudaikkum'.

The original meaning of the ritual performance is a request to the village Goddess for rain for fertility of land, in order to secure a rich harvest. The women are involved in large groups significantly implying the fertility of women also ensuring continuation of human race with peace and harmony through empowered women.

Though many of us do not live along the River Banks, celebrate Padinettamper with the preparation of yemmy variety rice ==>>> Puliyansaadam [tamarind rice], Thengaisaadam [coconut rice], Thayirsaadam [curd rice] with fried vadam [crispy accompaniment]

The original meaning of the ritual performance is a request to the village Goddess for rain for fertility of land, in order to secure a rich harvest. The women are involved in large groups significantly implying the fertility of women also ensuring continuation of human race with peace and harmony through empowered women.