This Aadi, discount all your problems

Aadi, in fact, is a punya kalam.  In many Kerala households, they read the Ramayana during this season, which is also the time when the monsoon is at it most virulent phase. Aadi is so auspicious that it is the best time to turn one’s mind towards higher thoughts and not dwell merely on material things. There are many rituals connected to this month, all aimed at improving the spiritual and emotional well being of a devotee. 

Aadi ammavasai is an important day, and bathing in the sea is considered a highlight by many. It reflects the ebb and flow of life, the highs and lows. It reminds us to remember our ancestors who left a good spiritual legacy for us. 

Thiru Aadi Pooram is the star birthday of Andal, the Vaishnavite saint who is the reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Aadi Pournami is again an auspicious day when many devotees undertake girivalam. Aadi naga chaturti is again a day of praying to Ambal, seeking diving blessings. Karuda Panchami day also falls in Aadi. It is the day when your prayers, routed through Garuda reach Lord Vishnu. He has said, “Whoever performs nama sankirtanam or meditates on Garuda, can attain me.” Swami Vedanta Desikan’s work Garuda Dandagam deals with this at length. Whoever makes the time to read such works or makes an attempt to tune into such lectures would discover the treasures for the mind and soul that lie hidden in plain sight.

Devotees of Murugan celebrate Aadi Krithigai on a grand scale, visiting temples or attending discourses. 

This year, Varalakshmi vratam, Gokulashtami also fall in the month of Aadi. The crowning glory is that Pradosham falls on a Saturday in this month and is very special to Nrisimha, Rama and Siva. Aadi is also special for many devotees of Cauvery—yes the river is treated like a goddess not only by farmers but by many who grew along its banks—they celebrate Aadi perukku in a rand manner. Devotees observe this day on a grand scale because the presence of water in Cauvery on the 18th day of Aadi is a sign that one will receive all the 18 blessings that one can receive in this world. The number in fact is synonymous with jayam or victory. There are so many special days in Aadi, to think of God and to make our way towards enlightenment that other festivities such as weddings are given a go-by, so that one is not distracted in any way from the true quest of life.