The Month of Aadi in Tamil Nadu

From the 17th July to the 16th of August, 2010 the month of Aadi is running.

During this month the goddess mother is invoked to protect mankind from diseases and ill-health.
There are no auspicious functions held during this month as the month is ear-marked for prayers.

Sun, the giver of light has changed his direction from north to south. The cold will set in by and by in the northern hemisphere and the nights will grow longer.
At times these are depicted beautifully through pictures. I remember a picture depicting the Sun God riding his chariot driven by 7 horses. These horses may be taking a south bound journey from mid year, year after year. This is very much season based. This phenomenon occurs each and every year.
This south bound journey of the sun is called the dakshinayana.
The north bound journey of the sun is called the uttarayana which starts around mid-January of each year.
It is also the time when Lord Brahma the creator goes to sleep. His sleep lasts for approximately 6 months from mid-July to mid-Janaury each year. That is another set of puranic stories connected with him.

A change in season or weather always brings in its own ailments. So also it is true for when the sun is changing course from the north to the south direction.
In southern India, especially Tamil Nadu, no auspicious events are planned during this month like marriages, house warmings, relocating or moving into new house locations, etc.

After 16th August auspicious activities start with a bang by celebrating the Vinayak Chaturthi whick marks the beginning of all festivals coming up one by one. The obstacle remover, Vinayak, sets the pace for the festivals to follow. The major ones are Dasera and Deepavali which come during October, November of each year.

Here in the streets of Chennai we see goddesses' bronze idols taken around in a ceremonial procession from temples all over, especially past midnight. Yesterday was one such day. We were woken up by loud music, drum beats and bursting of crackers on the road for a good one hour in front of our flats around 2am!! After such a treat to the ears our body refused to go back to sleep again. So we were impatiently waiting for the crack of dawn.

May we all keep good health and avoid falling sick. May we pray that all of us are healthy, wealthy and peaceful.

Cheers!
Mahalakshmi