Aadi (mid-July to mid-August) is a sacred month in Tamil Nadu dedicated to the Divine Mother (“Amman”). Across the state, goddess temples erupt in festive fervour, with unique rituals and offerings. Here are 10 major Amman temples renowned for their grand Aadi celebrations, along with what makes each festival special, the temple’s significance, and how devotees take part.
1. Sri Kottai Periya Mariamman Temple (Salem)
Location: Salem city. This historic temple (built by ancient Chera kings) is the chief shrine among Salem’s cluster of Mariamman temples
Aadi Fest: A 22-day “Aadi Thiruvizha” culminating on Aadi 18 (Aadi Perukku). Each day features special pujas, and the festival ends with thee mudithal (fire-walking) on a bed of burning charcoal.
Uniqueness: Known as the guardian of the old Salem fort, Mariamman here is also honoured as Shiva’s sister during Aadi. Week-long rituals, folk music and dance, and pounding of neem leaves (for medicinal offerings) are common.
Devotee Participation: Thousands of devotees, especially women, carry pots of turmeric water and neem for “koozh” (porridge) offerings. On the final day they walk barefoot over hot coals in silent penance. Fire-walking is seen as proof of the goddess’s protection, and attendees distribute sacred turmeric rice and neem khichdi as prasadam.
2. Sri Andal Temple (Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar)
Location: Srivilliputhur town (Virudhunagar district). This famous 1,000-year-old Divya Desam honours Andal, an avatar of Lakshmi.
Aadi Fest: Aadi Pooram (Andal’s birthday) is the temple’s most celebrated festival. The festival lasts over a week, climaxing in Andal’s divine wedding procession (Thirukalyanam) with Lord Vishnu (Ranganatha).
Uniqueness: It marks the birth of Andal (found under a Tulasi plant) and features the holy garland ceremony. Special abhishekams and alangarams are performed all night. Andal (Periyalvar’s foster-daughter) is showered with flowers (“poochiruthal”) by thousands of devotees, symbolizing the year’s first shower.
Devotee Participation: Women and men throng the temple with offerings of sari clothes, flowers, and garlands. A grand car (ther) procession carries Andal’s idol through town, with devotees singing devotional hymns and carrying paal kudam (milk pots) in thanksgiving. The mood is jubilant, with music, dance, and feasting.
3. Sri Punnainallur Mariamman Temple (Thanjavur)
Location: Punnainallur village near Thanjavur. Built by Maratha kings (notably King Venkoji in 1680 CE), this temple honors Mariamman (called Muthu Mariamman here).
Aadi Fest: The annual Aadi-Avani Brahmotsavam (Aug–Sept) is the main festival. It features a 10-day gala of rituals culminating in a Pearl Palanquin procession of the Goddess and a chariot (ratha) festival on the last Sunday of Avani.
Uniqueness: This is the temple where the goddess emerged from an anthill; hence no Abhishekam is done on the main idol, only on the processional deity. During Aadi, the shrine is elaborately decorated. Folk dances and kummi songs (Mari pattu) are performed nightly in the prakaram (corridor).
Devotee Participation: Devotees offer pongal and koozh porridge daily and hang flower garlands. Many carry mud or wax replicas of afflicted body parts, asking for cures. Women in particular observe “Aadi Velli” (Fridays) with fasts and flower offerings. The grand palanquin procession sees villagers lining the streets, dancing and sprinkling flower petals, while the guru of the temple leads the car to the village tank for a ceremonial dip.
4. Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam (Melmaruvathur)
Location: Melmaruvathur, Kanchipuram district. A modern Maha Shakti temple founded in the 1970s, dedicated to Adhiparasakthi (Universal Mother).
Aadi Fest: Aadi Pooram festival (late July) is one of the temple’s biggest events. The celebration spans two days, centered on three rituals: serving kanji (sacred gruel) to the mother, devotees performing milk abhishegam at the Swayambhu (self-manifested) idol, and Angapradakshanam (prostration) by Amma (the current seer) herself.
Uniqueness: Thousands of cooked rice porridge vessels are donated by devotees and ceremonially offered to the goddess, reflecting her character as Annapurna. Each devotee is invited to pour milk over the granite Swayambhu stone, a privilege unique to this festival. In a highlight moment, the Adigalar (temple head) ritually rolls (Angapradakshanam) around the sanctum, embodying the Devi’s grace.
Devotee Participation: Crowds begin pouring in days early. Devotees prepare kanji (often with tamarind or coconut) at home and bring it for offering. They queue for hours to do the milk bath; many believe it washes away afflictions. The atmosphere is intensely devotional: the choruses of “Jay Jay Sakthi” fill the air, and volunteers serve free meals (annadanam) to tens of thousands.
5. Sri Mariamman Temple (Irukkankudi, Virudhunagar)
Location: Irukkankudi village, Sattur taluk, Virudhunagar district. An ancient temple famed for the goddess between two rivers (Arjuna and Vaiparu).
Aadi Fest: The Aadi festival (July–August) here is celebrated grandly each year. Although detailed rituals vary, the entire month is filled with nonstop pujas and abhishekams.
Uniqueness: The murti (idol) is said to be 500 years old. Legend holds that the Pandavas created the nearby river for offerings, making the locale doubly sacred. In Aadi, women throng to perform “Valaikappu” (bangle ceremony) and offer turmeric rice. The temple’s lore emphasizes fertility and good health, so koozh and pongal are common offerings to pacify the fiery aspect of the goddess.
Devotee Participation: Pilgrims bathe in the two rivers before visiting. Many offer dressed neem twigs and oil lamps. Married women wear new bangles and pour turmeric milk (manjal paal) over the idol. Traditional folk dances like Karagattam are performed daily in the evenings as thanksgiving. (The festival’s general fervor is well attested, even if our sources simply note its grand scale).
6. Kalikambal Temple (Broadway, Chennai)
Location: Broadway area of Chennai (George Town). An ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Kali (Kali Amman).
Aadi Fest: The temple observes an elaborate series of 108 Abhishekams on the 10 Sundays of Aadi. Each Sunday features ten ablutions with different substances (milk, curd, turmeric, sandal paste, etc.). A special 48-day turmeric abhishekam is also done for women praying for a child.
Uniqueness: Legend says 17th-century Maratha king Shivaji worshipped here, and indeed the inner sanctorum houses a Shiva lingam that Shivaji’s ganapathi installed. But for Aadi, all focus is on Kali Amman. By day 10 of Aadi, the temple courtyard is strewn with the used flowers and ingredients from hundreds of ablutions. Rajinikanth is a famous modern-day devotee of this temple, which adds to its celebrity during festival season.
Devotee Participation: Devotees, especially childless couples, sponsor abhishekams. Families bring ghee, honey, and flowers in baskets. Every Sunday’s ablution concludes with loud bell ringing and drum beats. Special lamps (panchamirtham) and sweets are offered to Kali. On each Aadi Friday, the temple overflow from devotees offering garlands and singing kalaimani stotrams (glory hymns).
7. Sri Mundakanni Amman Temple (Mylapore, Chennai)
Location: Kapaleeshwarar Thottam, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai. An ancient shrine (presumed 2nd-century origin) to Mariamman (the local form Mundakanni).
Aadi Fest: The month-long Aadi festival here features daily koozh (millet porridge) and turmeric paste offerings to the goddess. On every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday, special abhishekarams (ritual baths) are performed. The festival culminates on the last Friday of Aadi with a dramatic ‘1008 Flower Baskets’ (Poochoridhal) ritual. In this, women carry baskets of flowers in procession around the temple, showering petals on the idol. Another highlight is a Paalkudam (milk-pot) procession early in Aadi, where many carry decorated pots of milk as an offering.
Uniqueness: This temple’s presiding deity is believed to be swayambhu (self-manifested) in a hut-shaped shrine, and devotees call Mundakanni the “chief physician.” The cool breeze in the sanctum gives the impression that the deity cures diseases.
Devotee Participation: Over Aadi, women throng here daily. They offer green grass, neem leaves, and large pots of ragi koozh, distributing it as prasadam. Hundreds of women converge on the critical Fridays (Aadi Veli), carrying milk pots on their heads from dawn. On the last Friday, an elaborately choreographed procession circles the precinct, with thavil-nadaswaram accompaniment. Participants break coconuts and surrender their torans (festoon garlands), symbolizing the removal of obstacles.
8. Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple (Mangadu, Chennai)
Location: Mangadu, a western suburb of Chennai. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati as Kamakshi (Wish-fulfiller). One of the city’s oldest Amman shrines.
Aadi Fest: The temple celebrates Aadi Pooram (usually end of July) with great start. Aadi is considered auspicious because it marks the time Parvati worshipped Shiva here. The festival spans several days leading up to Aadi Pooram. The highlight is Aadi Pooram itself, with special pujas and processions.
Uniqueness: Legends say Parvati performed penance under a mango tree here, thus the name “Mangadu” (mango forest). In honour of this, devotees carry mango leaves and prepare mango offerings in Aadi. During Aadi Pooram, the goddess is adorned with silk garments and heavy jewelry.
Devotee Participation: Many women carry copper pots of milk (paal kudam) on their heads to the temple, often cooking a small offering of rice porridge (koozh) at the shrine’s steps. Devotees also perform body-piercing (vel kathisu) ceremonies on Aadi Pooram morning, walking over hot embers or piercing their cheeks with spears as acts of devotion and thanks. Large crowds attend the special Abhishekam and receive holy prasadam of turmeric rice and sweet pongal.
9. Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple (Thiruverkadu, Chennai)
Location: Thiruverkadu, near Chennai city. A popular Karumariamman temple believed to fulfill child-bearing wishes.
Aadi Fest: Remarkably, the Aadi festival here runs continuously for 12 weeks, starting from the last Sunday of the Tamil month of Aani (June) through Aadi. Each Sunday has special events, and the 9th Sunday features a grand car (ther) festival with the goddess’s idol on a chariot.
Uniqueness: This extended festival is famed for its cultural programs. Classical music and Bharatanatyam concerts are held weekly alongside the daily pujas. The temple is also known for its huge devotee turnout—tens of thousands worship here each week of Aadi.
Devotee Participation: Nearly all Amman worship traditions occur here: devotees carry milk pots, flowers, and herbal water. The lengthy festival allows families to fulfill various vows: some walk barefoot around the temple, others tie protective threads (kaapu) on Fridays and fast. On the chariot day, married women perform “valai kattal” (bangle tying) for fertility, and the chariot’s pradakshinam (circumambulation) is believed to bless those watching.
10. Pathala Ponni Amman Temple (Kilpauk, Chennai)
Location: Kilpauk area, Chennai. A 500-year-old temple (rediscovered from a hidden pit, hence “Pathala” for underground) dedicated to Ponni Amman (another form of Parvati).
Aadi Fest: The temple holds a 10-day Aadi festival each year. Over these days, daily abhishekams are performed, including a famous 508 Paal Kudam abhishekam – 508 women carry pots of milk in procession to bathe the deity. There is also an “Agni Satti oorvalam” on one of the days, where a priest carries a burning pot in procession.
Uniqueness: The number 508 symbolizes longevity and is specially chosen for the Devi’s worship. The temple’s courtyards are decorated with kolams and lamps each evening of the festival.
Devotee Participation: On festival days, devotees queue from dawn to pour milk and rose water on the idol. The milk pots procession is deeply significant: married women carry them with prayers for marital bliss. The Agni Satti ritual (carrying fire) is conducted by a brahmin who then distributes the pot’s embers to devotees as prasadam (believed to burn away ills). Each night ends with a heavy flower shower (poochuruthal) to the chanting of Amman’s hymns.
