Aadi Pooram - Celebration of Andal - Andal was the name given to the daughter of Periazhwar, Kothai, by her divine consort Lord Ranganatha. She got this name because she conquered him by her sheer love and devotion. Aadi Pooram is celebrated on August 2 at all Vaishnavite shrines to mark the birth of this ardent devotee who hailed Lord Krishna in her Pasurams (verses) and ultimately merged with him. Vishnu Chitha (later called Periazhwar), an ardent devotee of Lord Ranganatha of Srivilliputhur, was childless and found his joy in prayers and service to god. On Aadi Pooram day (Pooram is one of the 27 nakshatrams or stars), when he was plucking flowers for his daily puja in his garden, he found a girl child. It was a veritable answer to his prayers. He named the child Kothai and the child grew up in an environment of devotion and austerity. The child soon grew up to be a maiden and her thoughts ever revolved around the Lord.
Vishnu Chitha used to make a garland of Thulasi leaves everyday to offer to the Lord at the temple. Kothai used to try it on. One day her father saw her wearing this garland. Enraged at what he considered a sacrilege, he scolded her. But, next time, when he offered a fresh garland, it kept falling away from the Lord's neck. The Lord then conveyed to Periazhwar that he would only wear the garland worn by Kothai as she was none other than Mahalakshmi herself. Andal, known as Choodi Kodutha Sudarkodi, is considered an avatar of Bhooma Devi, who is one of the consorts of Lord Mahavishnu, the other one being Sri Devi. Andal wrote many verses in praise of Lord Krishna or Ranganatha, the deity at Srivilliputhur.
Among them the Thiruppavai is very popular with its 30 verses. It is a strong belief that young girls who recite these verses early in the mornings in the month of Margazhi (December - January), observing the 'nonbu' or 'vrat' will be blessed with a good husband. This practice is still in vogue. Andal also wrote the Nachiyar Thirumozhi in 143 verses. She attained the status of an Azhwar because of her total devotion to the Lord. Aadi Pooram is celebrated for 10 days in Vaishnavite temples. The festival is popular in Srivilliputhur, the birthplace of Andal, Sri Parthasarathyswamy temple at Chennai and at the Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam. At the Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane, it is celebrated for 10 days with the daily recitation of the Thiruppavai and verses from the Nalayira Divya Prabhandam written by the Azhwars. The 10th day is celebrated on Aadi Pooram day.
For the first nine days there is recitation of Thiruppavai and Pallandu in the mornings. The idol of Sri Andal is taken around the four small Mada Veedhis of the temple with all temple honours in the evening. After the procession there is exchange of garlands between her and Lord Parthasarathy, who is none other than Lord Krishna. This is followed by Unjal Sevai at the Maha Mantapam in front of the sanctum-sanctorum. Usual rituals like recitation of verses from the Prabhandams and offerings will follow. On the day of Pooram, the Lord along with His consorts is taken to the Mantapam opposite to the Andal sannadhi and there will a Thirumanjanam or Abhishekam to all the deities here. In the evening there is a procession of Lord Parthasarathy and Sri Andal along the four big Mada Veedhis (a longer route). After the procession there is recitation of the remaining verses of the Prabhandams and Peria Thrumozhi rendered by Thirumangai Azhwar in front of the deities who will be seated in the Maha Mantapam.
After the regular puja (Thiru Aaradhanam) Theertham (holy water) is distributed to every one. This marks the end of the 10-day festival. She will stay near the lord at the sanctum sanctorum for a month after this.
[Taken from http://www.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Festivals/adipooram.asp]
Date(s): July 21, 2004. Album by Karthik Nagaraj. Photos by Karthik and Priya. 1 - 10 of 10 Total. 1437 Visits.
