Latest news with #AadiPooram
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Local holiday in Virudhunagar district on July 28 for Andal temple car festival
Virudhunagar Collector N.O. Sukhaputra has declared local holiday for Virudhunagar district on July 28, Monday, on the occasion of car festival of Andal temple in connection with Aadi Pooram festival. A statement said that the compensatory working day would be on August 9, the second Saturday. Closure of liquor shops for two days: Meanwhile, the Collector has ordered closure of three Tasmac retail shops in Watrap, Maharajapuram and Ilainthaikulam and FL 1 and FL 2 bars run by different recreation clubs in Watrap, Maharajapuram and Koomapatti on Wednesday and Thursday in view of Aadi Amavasai festival on July 24.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Aadi Pooram festival begins at Andal temple
Aadi Pooram festival at Andal Temple here began with the hoisting of temple flag on Sunday. The flag bearing the depiction of Garudazhwar was hoisted by the temple priests following special puja and amidst playing of nagaswaram. The nine-day festival marks the Star Pooram of Tamil month Aadi, which is the birth star of Andal. The festival would witness the procession of the presiding deities, Andal and Lord Rengammanar, on gold palanquin, Simma vahanam, Sesha vahanam, Anna vahanam, Elephant vahanam, glass palanquin, flower palanquin, during the nights. The highlight of the festival is the car festival which is scheduled on July 28. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Andal Temple P.R. Venketrama Raja, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Madurai, Mariappan, Assistant Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Temple Executive Officer S. Sakkaraiammal, were among those who were present. A huge pandal has been put up on the temple premises where several cultural programmes including music, dance, spiritual elocution, bhajan would be held.
Daily Express
06-07-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Why must we stop fearing the Aadi month?
Why must we stop fearing the Aadi month? MANY Indian households remain silent from July 16 to August 15 every year regarding any auspicious events. Weddings are postponed, housewarmings are avoided, and, if possible, childbirths are scheduled outside this time frame. Advertisement This is due to a long-standing fear surrounding the Aadi month, which is considered an inauspicious period. As someone born on July 30, right at the peak of Aadi, I often wonder: What is so worrying about this time of year? SPONSORED CONTENT Aadi, the fourth month in the Indian almanac is empty of meaning. It is deeply spiritual and vibrant with devotional observances. Advertisement It marks the beginning of the sun's northward journey to the south, which the ancients saw as a period suited for spiritual reflection and inward focus. It is the time when the divine feminine is especially venerated, through festivals such as the birthday of Goddess Andal (Aadi Pooram), a river blessing festival (Aadi Perukku), and for ancestral prayers (Aadi Amavasai). Advertisement Yet, a widespread belief persists that Aadi is a bad period, especially for significant life events. This misconception runs so deep that I once witnessed a tragic consequence of it. A close friend's wife, heavily pregnant and just weeks away from full term, begged her doctor to induce early delivery to avoid having the child born in the Aadi month. The doctor obliged. Tragically, the child was stillborn several hours later. The couple was devastated. It was a painful reminder of how fear, not fate, can change lives forever. Malaysian Gurukkal Sangam vice president Someshvarn Sivachariar said there is no scriptural basis for such dread. 'Ancient texts do not forbid ceremonies during Aadi. The practical roots of this caution likely lie in seasonal conditions. 'Aadi often coincided with the monsoon, making travel and large gatherings difficult and potentially hazardous. 'Over time, this practical restraint hardened into misconception,' said Someshvarn. He highlighted the favourable dates in the coming Aadi month as July 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, 31, and August 1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, and 15. He agreed that temples and priests are often preoccupied during Aadi with intense daily rituals, special prayers, and community observances focused on worship, which draw many devotees and require elaborate spiritual preparations. Because of this, he said, priests may be less available or hesitant to conduct worldly ceremonies like weddings, as their energy and attention are directed toward spiritual upliftment and devotional service during this sacred month. From an astrological point of view, 7th-generation astrologer Yuvaraj Sowma said not all days in Aadi are inauspicious. He said that just like any month, it contains days of favourable and unfavourable planetary influences. Yuvaraj said generalising the entire month as 'bad' is inaccurate and dangerous when it affects decisions about life and death. He explained that during this phase, the spiritual vibrations on Earth are more potent, making it a highly conducive time to connect with the divine. 'While weddings and primary worldly functions are generally avoided, this is not due to negative connotations. 'Instead, it reflects the traditional understanding that this month is better suited for spiritual pursuits rather than material beginnings'. So why do we continue to fear it? Perhaps because we have not stopped to question it, we have inherited beliefs without investigating their origins. The true essence of Aadi is not misfortune; it is devotion, introspection, and connection with the divine. It is a sacred pause, not a sinister period. Like myself, those born in Aadi are proof that this month is not cursed. Many remarkable individuals have been born during the Aadi month and have gone on to lead purposeful lives. Some of them are former U.S. President Barack Obama (August 4), South African freedom icon Nelson Mandela (July 18), former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (July 26), and actress Jennifer Lopez (July 24). Their lives prove that Aadi is not a period of limitation, but one of latent potential and divine grace. It is often said that spiritually evolved souls and impactful leaders are born during powerful cosmic alignments. Aadi is far from a time of misfortune and is one such holy window. Instead of avoiding the month, we can honour its true purpose by deepening our spiritual practice, offering prayers to our ancestors, and aligning with the rhythm of the cosmos. Let us reject fear-based choices and reclaim the truth about Aadi by approaching it with reverence rather than reluctance.
