What is Aadi Velli?
The Fridays that occur in the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-July-mid-August) are Aadi Velli. Aadi month is inauspicious for conducting functions like marriages, housewarming, and others. However, this month is ideal for religious observances and spiritual progress.
Aadi month features many religious events like Aadi Pirappu, Aadi Perukku, Aadi Chevvai (Tuesday), Aadi Amavasya, Aadi Krithigai, Aadi Velli, and Varalakshmi Pooja. So this month is very significant for Tamil Hindus.
Aadi month marks the beginning of Dakshinayana Punyakalam, or the Sun’s journey to the southern hemisphere. This is believed to be the nighttime of the Gods, and hence no auspicious functions are scheduled in Aadi, as the Gods will be sleeping and their blessings will be unavailable.
This is also when the monsoons arrive in India. Due to abundant rainfall, the rivers will overflow. The monsoons are very important in India, where a large number of people are engaged in agriculture. A good monsoon spells a good harvest and prosperity. But a bad monsoon or floods can spell ruin for farmers. Hence, people worship Lord Varuna, the Rain God, and the Goddesses who represent water bodies at this time. The Goddesses who are worshipped during this month are the Amman goddesses, chiefly Maariamman, whose name means ‘Goddess of rain’.
The Amman Goddesses of Tamil Nadu
Maariamman is a form of Goddess Parvati/Durga/Kali. She was probably a pre-Vedic goddess who was assimilated into the Vedic religion. Villagers worship her for protection from evil forces. In some villages, she is the Kaval deivam or guardian deity of the village, and the locals call her Grama Devathai. She is also a family deity.
Maari means ‘rain’ in Sangam era Tamil, while Amman means ‘mother’. She is also a fertility goddess whose worship is very popular in the villages of rural Tamil Nadu, where her temples are ubiquitous. As the Goddess who brings rain, she has the power to remove drought and poverty.
She is also called Muthu Maari, where ’Muthu’ means ‘pearl’ and ‘Maari’ means ‘rain’. The raindrops are compared to pearls. Amman also has the power to cure diseases like chickenpox, smallpox, plague, cholera, measles, rashes, etc. The boils on the skin of a chickenpox victim resemble pearls; hence the name also indicates her healing powers.
Mariamman is supposedly the one who created the village which symbolizes her body, while she is the seed root in the village’s soil. She protects the village and its boundaries, hence she is also called Ellaiyamman or the Mother who guards the boundaries (‘Ellai’ means ‘boundary’).
There are also other Amman Goddesses called Pachai Amman, Angalamman, Kamakshi Amman, etc., who are all forms of Shakti or Parvati. Pachai Amman supposedly manifested on earth during Aadi month in order to establish peace and prosperity in the world, says one myth about Aadi Velli.
Aadi Fridays or Aadi Velli are dedicated to these powerful Goddesses who bestow rain, prosperity, fertility, progeny, and good health to their devotees.
On Aadi Velli, it is also the custom to perform Poojas for Naga Devtas. This has great religious significance for Amman devotees. Women offer milk, sugar, and jaggery to snakes.
Who is Worshipped on Aadi Velli?
On the first Aadi Friday, women worship Goddess Swarnambika, the Goddess of Wealth.
On the second Aadi Velli, they worship Goddess Angala Amman who protects them from negativity and evil forces.
On the third Aadi Velli, Goddess Kalikambal is worshipped for good health and courage.
On the fourth Aadi Friday, women worship Goddess Kamakshi Amman for good relationships.
On the 5th or last Aadi Velli, women worship Goddess Lakshmi by performing Varalakshmi Pooja for the well-being of their husbands.
Women in the community come together and perform Poojas on Aadi Velli. After the Pooja, they exchange Thambulam – a plate containing Betel leaves, Betel nuts, turmeric, kumkum, coconut, and cloth. In some communities, Maa Vilakku is offered to the Goddess. This is a lamp made with rice flour, ghee, and jaggery. It is also the custom to make ‘Koozh’ or porridge or sweet Pongal and offer it to the Goddess. The Koozh is later distributed among the devotees.
Conclusion
Aadi Velli reminds us of the special place that Goddesses have in Hinduism. They are not mere wives of the Gods but powerful beings in their own right who can grant the desires of their devotees and also protect them from harm.
