Aadi Month Festivals and Events

Aadi month(July 17th - August 16th) is the 4th month of the Tamil Calender. The next six months from Aadi to Margazhi is the Dakshinayana punyakalam. It marks the beginning of the night of Devas. Traditionally, Aadi month is considered as inauspicious and most people avoid auspicious ceremonies during this period. But few important festivals are celebrated in this month. This month is special for Goddess Shakthi. Poeple worship Goddess and her different forms during this month to get her blessings for their wealth and happiness.

Auspicious days in Aadi Month:
AadiVelli (5 Friday's of Aadi Month):

The 1st Friday of Aadi month is dedicated to Goddess Swarnambika, a form of Goddess Parvati.
The 2nd Friday of Aadi month is dedicated to Goddess Kali, Offering your Prayers to the Goddess of Siddhi powers will bless you with Extraordinary Intelligence.
The 3rd Friday is dedicated to Kalikambal, a form of Goddess Parvati, who bestows us with courage and health.
The 4th Friday is dedicated to Kamakshi Amman, a form of Goddess Shakti. It is considered that offering special prayers on this day to Her will remove the obstacles in marriage, relationships, etc and will help us to be successful in life.
The last Aadi Friday is dedicated to Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu and Varalakshmi Pooja will be observed on this day. This is a special day for all women. On this day, Goddess Lakshmi listens and fulfills the needs and desires of women, who earnestly pray to Her. It is said that if a woman earnestly prays to the Goddess on this day, she will invoke the blessings of Goddess for her entire family.

Many rituals are performed on Aadi Fridays and Tuesdays even on Sundays
Aadi Pirappu(17-Jul-2014): First day of this month Aadi, usually it falls on 16th or 17th of July. In 2014, it is on 17th July. People celebrate this day as Aadi pandigai especially newly-weds. Special puja is performed followed by a special food which includes delicous "Payasam(Kheer) with coconut milk", "Purana Poli" and Vadai. The new groom in the family is invited to the Brides house and the couple is gifted with new dresses and other presents and treated well with a feast.
Aadi Ammavasai: No moon day in Aadi month is very special to offer Tarpan to our Ancestors. This year is on July 26th 2014
Aadi Pooram(30-Jul-2014): The New moon day in Aadi month is celebrated as "Aadi Pooram". The day is also celebrated as the birthday of Aandal – Saint Poet who wrote Tiruppaavai and is also considered as a manifestation of the mother Goddess.
Varalakshmi Puja – Worship of Goddess Lakshmi(8-Aug-2014). The Friday before the Full Moon, or Pournami day, of Tamil Month Aadi is chosen to perform Varalakshmi Puja. The importance of Varalakshmi Puja is mentioned in the Skanda Purana. It is believed that importance of Varalakshmi Puja was narrated to Goddess Parvati by Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati wanted to know about a Vrata that is highly beneficial to a woman, which will help her lead a happy and prosperous life on earth. Lord Shiva then mentioned about the Varamahalakshmi Vratam.
Aadiperukku(3-Aug-2014): The 18th day of Aadi month is celebrated as Aadi perukku. Aadiperukku is a festival of fertility and people of Tamil Nadu especially women offer prayers. They wear new clothes and perform abhishekham for Kaveri amman.
Aadi Karthigai(21-Jul-2014): Aadi Karthigai – Festival dedicated to Lord Muruga.

Aavani Avittam (10-Aug-2014):
A very auspicious day for Hindu Brahmins men to change their holy thread Poonal on this occasion.

Garuda Panchami (1-Aug-2014)
Garuda Panchami pooja is dedicated to Sri Garudalwar, also known as "Periya Thiruvadi". This pooja is usually performed by women and benefits their children. Garudalwar is propitiated by women who wish to give birth to bold, brave and sharp-minded children like Garudan. Newly wed couples perform this pooja for a happy married life. By performing this pooja, it is also believed that suffering due to Naga Dosham will be alleiviated.