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.

Amman Koil visits on Aadi Sunday ==> 27 jul 2008

The legend associated with Vanabadrakali Amman Temple [53 kms from coimbatore, near Mettupalayam] is that Paagasuran, an asura lived on the western part of this temple, who terrorized the people living there. To get rid of him Bheema, one of the Pancha Pandavas worshipped goddess Kaali and defeated Paagasuran at the end of a bloody fight. During his death he realized his fault and requested Godess Kali to transform him into Kaaval Boodham or the protection demon. When people visit the temple they also worship the idols of Bheema and Paagasuran.
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Some of the snaps taken of the temple, gopuram, nilgiris range are for you......
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Bannari Amman Temple is 10kms from Sathyamangalam. It is at the bottom of Western Ghats on the way to Mysore from Coimbatore [83 kms].
The history of temple dates back to 16th century. The deity was transported in a cart from Mannarkkadu or Vannarkkadu (the chain of Western Ghats near Palakkad, Kerala) which was under Madurai Nayakkar's rule to protect the people of Mysore-Kollegal from evils. Hence, the name Bannari Amman.
During that period, Danayakkam Fort, 14 miles west of Sathyamangalam, was under Mysore dynasty. It had independent status as Palayam during Wadiyars' regime. When Mysore kingdom fell to Hyder Ali, the chieftain of this fort too was killed by him.
During Tipu's reign, he enforced Prohibition in his kingdom. The Danayakkam Fort __ the only gateway between Mysore and Coimbatore __ was under the Palayakar Balaraja and Devaraja, the sons of Palayakkar who was killed by Hyder Ali. Balaraja's rapport with Tipu helped Balaraja, Devaraja and Killedar Saravanappa meet the imprisoned Maharani of Mysore. They then decided to dethrone Tipu by supporting a civil war engineered by the caste Hindus and pious Muslims.
Balaraja lifted the Prohibition and allowed transportation of liquor to Mysore to please the British Generals who in turn promised to restore the kingdom to Mysore Royal family. After lifting the ban, the guilt-ridden Balaraja became lunatic. To purge, he started worshipping Bannari Amman. His condition worsened when an Oracle predicted that the place would be drowned in flood for the sin he committed.
Balaraja ran to Srirangapatna to convey this to Maharani. She is believed to have said that "whatever happens is for the good". The prediction of the Oracle came true when Danayakkan Fort and adjacent villages submerged when two dams were constructed across Bhavani and Moyar rivers. As a result, three lakh acres of dry land were brought under `Nanjai' (wet land).
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Some of the snaps taken of the temple, gopuram, sky, for you all... one special... amman in the sky work by "cheenu"....
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