The River Festival of Tamil Nadu ("Aadi Perukku")

 

The Tamil holiday "Aadi Perukku" is observed in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It occurs on the 18th day of Tamil month "Aadi," which corresponds roughly to mid-July to mid-August in the Gregorian calendar.

Aadi Perukku is a special occasion to honor the monsoon and express gratitude to the rivers, particularly the Cauvery River, which is essential to Tamil Nadu residents' daily existence. People congregate along rivers, lakes, or other bodies of water during this festival to worship, perform rituals, and ask for blessings for a plentiful crop and safety from water-related disasters.

Women cook a range of delectable delicacies to share with their relatives and friends while dressed traditionally. The event highlights the diverse cultural traditions of Tamil Nadu and emphasizes the value of water in both agriculture and daily life.

The Aadi Perukku festival emphasizes the value of water conservation and upholds a healthy relationship with the environment by reflecting the deeply ingrained bond between the people and the rivers.

Certainly! Aadi 18 is another name for Aadi Perukku, an important event in Tamil Nadu, India. More information about the celebration is provided below:

Date: According to the Gregorian calendar, Aadi Perukku is celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi, which typically falls between mid-July and mid-August. In Tamil Nadu, the celebration signifies the start of the monsoon season.

The celebration is very significant to the local farming community since it is regarded as a lucky time to ask for plentiful rain and good harvests. For agricultural purposes as well as for replenishing rivers and reservoirs, sufficient monsoon rains are essential.

Worship of Waterbodies: People go to rivers, lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water on this day to pray and ask for blessings. They carry out numerous ceremonies as a method of expressing thanks to the rivers that support their way of life, including offering flowers, fruits, and coconuts to the water.

Women play a vital role at Aadi Perukku, according to special rituals. They take a bath, get dressed, and get up early. They create vibrant kolams (rangoli designs) beside water features and at the entrances to their dwellings. Afterward, women conduct a special puja (worship) of the river by illuminating candles, saying prayers, and floating homemade boats built from banana stems and decked with flowers and incense sticks on the water.

Traditional clothes and Cuisine: Families and friends come together to celebrate in traditional clothes. They taste a range of delectable foods, including specially made sweets and savory dishes that are customary for the celebration.

Regional Differences: Although Aadi Perukku is observed throughout Tamil Nadu, many regions may have unique customs and traditions connected to the holiday. People in the Cauvery Delta region, for instance, rejoice fervently because of the Cauvery River's importance to the area's agriculture and economy.

Social and Cultural Significance: Aadi Perukku not only honors the monsoon but also symbolizes the Tamil people's rich cultural legacy and enduring bond with the natural world. It places a focus on the value of protecting water resources and encouraging environmental responsibility.

People in Tamil Nadu cook a variety of traditional meals during Aadi Perukku to celebrate the event. The menu frequently combines sweet and savory ingredients, and some of the meals that are frequently served during this event are:

Payasam/Kheer: Made from rice, milk, and either sugar or jaggery, Payasam is a traditional South Indian dessert. Cardamom is frequently used to flavor it, and cashews and raisins are frequently used as garnish. Payasam comes in a variety of forms. Semiya (vermicelli) payasam and ada (rice flakes) payasam are two examples.

Pongal: A typical South Indian meal, pongal is cooked with freshly harvested rice, split green gram, milk, and jaggery. It resembles a sweet rice porridge and is one of the festival's primary dishes.

Coconut Rice: Also referred to as "Thengai Sadam," coconut rice is a tasty rice meal made with freshly grated coconut, rice, and several spices. It is a standard South Indian festive dish.

Puliyodarai: Popular during festivals and special events, puliyodarai is a sour tamarind rice dish. Cooked rice is combined with a hot tamarind paste to make this dish, which is then seasoned with mustard seeds, chili flakes, and curry leaves.

Chana dal vada, often referred to as paruppu vadai, is a savory lentil snack made from ground chana dal (split chickpeas) that has been soaked. The vadais, which are deep-fried till crisp, are a well-liked festival appetizer.

Medhu Vadai: Made from urad dal (black gram), medhu vadai is a crispy, doughnut-shaped delicious snack. It is a favorite in lots of South Indian homes and frequently eaten with sambar and coconut chutney.

Simple cooked chickpeas, usually referred to as "sundal," are another typical offering during Aadi Perukku. These have grated coconut for flavor, mustard seeds for frying, and curry leaves for decoration.

Murukku: Made from urad dal and rice flour, murukku is a common snack in South India. It is frequently consumed during festivals and has a crispy texture.

Banana-based meals: Several dishes are made using bananas, including steamed banana dumplings (poovan kozhukattai), banana halwa, and banana fritters (pazham pori).

Among the traditional foods cooked for Aadi Perukku, these are only a few. The specific meal may vary from region to region and from home to home, but the emphasis is on enjoying wonderful and auspicious food offerings to celebrate the holiday.