Aadi Perukku or Aadi 18 which is celebrated on the 18th day of Aadi masam which normally falls on 2nd or 3th of August. Its celebrated with joy and pomp and a belief that anything done on this day will multiply, Farmers sow paddy on this day for a copious harvest.
Rituals are done on the banks of the river by paying tribute to the waters. Rituals and customs differ from place to place.
Women change their thaali kayiru(sacred thread) and pray for the longevity of their husbands.
On this day the newly married couples let their wedding garlands float away in the river followed by rituals. Normally the wedding garlands aren’t disposed in other ways so they are kept for the following Aadi Perukku.
The highlight of the festival is the offering of Chitrannam or the rice cooked in different flavors, colors and ingredients. The variety rice includes coconut rice, Chakkarai Pongal (Sweet jaggery rice), Elumichai satham (Lime rice), Puli satham (Tamarind rice), Ellu satham (sesame rice)and Thayir satham (Yohurt rice).
A small kolam with 11-1 dots placed in straight pattern. I have added extra dots on the outer forming a sikku border to the kolam.
