Aadi Pooram is one of the most significant festivals in the Tamil calendar. It is also known as Andal Jayanthi. Aadi Pooram marks the birth of Goddess Aandal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and one of the twelve alvars. The festival also coincides with Goddess Parvati's Valaikappu, or bangle ceremony (baby shower).
Significance of Aadi Pooram
Aadi, the fourth month of the Tamil calendar, is coupled with 'Pooram,' one of the 27 Nakshatras (stars) in Vedic astrology, to form the auspicious festival of Aadi Pooram.
On this auspicious day, it is believed by devotees that Goddess Parvati descends to earth to bless them. A highlight of this festival is the elaborate alangaram (decoration) of Amman, the divine mother, in temples. The deity is adorned with flowers, lamps, and intricate decorations, dressed in vibrant silks and adorned with exquisite jewellery, symbolizing prosperity and divine grace.
Special Archana and Aarthi ceremonies are conducted by priests in honour of Goddess Ambaal. Women devotees are given glass bangles as Prasadam from the temple, and Slogams dedicated to the goddess are recited, accompanied by heartfelt prayers offered by the people.
The story of Aadi Pooram also revolves around Goddess Aandal, who was found as a newborn child under a tulsi plant in the garden at Srivilliputhur. The child was discovered by a Vishnu devotee named Vishnucittar (Periyazhwar) and he raised the child as his own daughter. He named her as kothai. From her childhood, Kothai was a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu. She composed the Thiruppavai, a collection of hymns in praise of the deity. Her unwavering devotion and love for Lord Vishnu earned her a special place among the Alvars. Aadi Pooram commemorates her birth and her divine love for the Lord.
Andal is the sole female Azhwar among the twelve Azhwar saints of South India, who are part of the Srivaishnava tradition in Hinduism.
Even today, devotees recite her Tamil works, "Thiruppavai" and "Nachiar Tirumozhi," during the winter festival season of Margazhi.
In Vishnu temples, this day is marked by the celebration of the marriage ceremony between Goddess Andal and Ranganathaswamy, a manifestation of Vishnu, known as Thirukalyanam. 
Aadi Pooram Celebration in Tamil Nadu
- On this day, special poojas and celebrations for Andal take place in all Vishnu temples.
- Aadi Pooram is grandly celebrated in temples such as Srirangam and Srivilliputhur.
- The festival is also enthusiastically observed at Sriperumbudur, the birthplace of Andal's brother, Ramanuja
- Aadi Pooram festival is celebrated for ten days at Mannargudi Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple and Thiruvannamalai Temple and for three days at Kumbakonam Sarangapani Temple.
Rituals and Benefits of Aadi Pooram
- After the divine wedding of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on Panguni Uthiram, it is a sacred tradition to celebrate the bangle ceremony (Valai Kappu) for all goddesses on Aadi Pooram. This day holds special significance for honouring the Divine Mother, the source of all creation.
- The sanctum of Goddess Amman is also adorned with garlands made of colourful glass bangles. Wearing these bangles, received as prasadam, is believed to invite prosperity and blessings into one’s life.
- Aadi Pooram is celebrated with grandeur in all Sri Vishnu temples. On this day, Goddess Andal is beautifully adorned in silk sarees and exquisite jewellery. Special Pujas and Archanais are offered to her, and glass bangles are distributed as prasadam to women devotees.
- Fasting and offering prayers to the goddess on Aadi Pooram is said to bless unmarried women with a good marriage and enhance love and harmony in married life.
- In some Vishnu temples, the Thirukalyana Utsavam — the divine wedding ceremony of Andal with Lord Vishnu — is performed, accompanied by recitations of the sacred Tiruppavai hymns.
- Devotees are encouraged to practice charity and compassion during the viratham by donating food, clothes, or other essentials to the needy, thus embracing the divine spirit of selflessness and love.
Aadi Pooram 2025 Date and Time:
Aadi Pooram in 2025 will be observed on Monday, 28th July, which is the 12th day of the Aadi month.
The Pooram Nakshatra begins on 27th July at 6:55 PM and ends on 28th July at 8:00 PM.
Aadi Pooram 2025 promises to be a day filled with devotion, celebration, and the divine presence of Goddess Aandal.
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