Aadi dances her way with poise kick starting a slew of festival and events to follow. The spiritual flavor and fervor is discernible in all spheres.

It is carnival time in temples where the presiding deity is Shakthi ( Amman). In the famous Mundagakanni Amman temple in Mylapore this hallowed shrine teems with devotees from dawn to dusk. The festival fever reaches a crescendo on Fridays and Sundays when the temple bursts at its seams. Devotees offer milk and tender coconuts-Ilaneer to the Amman for her holy bath.



There is a special celebration in the evenings when the women offer Pongal prepared in the temple premises itself. People who are affected with eye diseases offer KannMalar ( a small steel sheet with eyes embossed on it) to the celestial oculist. There is a popular belief that by offering the Kanmalar will cure them of their illness.

The birth star of the mystic poetess Andal is observed with piety the only lady poetess in the 12 azhwars in Vaishnavite tradition. Her birthday is celebrated with gusto in Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane.. Verses from her oeuvres are recited by vedic scholars. She is the star attraction on that day as she is attired in brocade saree and garlands of fragrant flowers adorn her neck. Apart from the religious color the month lends a social color also.

The eighteenth day of Aadi also called Pathinettam Perukku in local parlance and it's a day full of gourmets delight. The city dwellers in spite of their hectic schedule take pleasure in celebrating the Pathinettam perukku.

Variety rice rules the day as an array of mouth watering delicacies are prepared and the family enjoy the feast together. In some houses friends also join enlivening the atmosphere.

Shopping fever grips Chennaivasis as they are lured by the Aadi thallupadi. This syndrome has infiltrated our society in recent times and the shop keepers offer a zillion attractions.

T Nagar a vibrant locality in Chennai is a shoppers paradise. Besides a bunch of reputed textile shops which offer discount there are less known textile outlets who compete with the other shops in enticing the buyer.

The multitude is not bothered about the newly built Flyover in Usman road with the sea of humanity surging forward to make use of the Aadithallupadi is amazing.The hawkers and petit shopkeepers offer discount sale as well.

And....Aadi dances her way with poise kick starting a slew of festival and events to follow.

Usha Raja