Aadi Perukku Mulapari
Adiperukku is a unique South Indian and specially a Tamil festival celebrated on the
18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi (03.08.15). The festival coincides with the annual
freshes of the rivers and to pay tribute to water’s life-sustaining properties. It is
celebrated near river basins, water tanks, lakes and wells etc. of Tamil Nadu when the
water level in the rises significantly heralding the onset of Monsoon
In India the rivers Ganges and Yamuna, Cauvery and Godavari are considered sacred.
Just like the earth gives us food, water is considered as a sacred necessity to meet the
needs of individuals. People began to worship water in the form of wells, tanks and
rivers. It is common among people to throw fruits, saffron cloths, etc., when the rivers
and lakes are in spate purely based on the belief that these rivers are the species of
female deities.
Adiperukku, otherwise called Pathinettam perukku is peculiar to the all the perennial
river basins of Tamil Nadu and major lakes water source areas and is intended to
celebrate the water rising levels due to the onset of monsoon, which is expected to
occur invariably on the 18th day of the solar month, Aadi corresponding to the 2nd or 3
August every year. Hence “Pathinettam perukku” – Pathinettu signifies eighteen, and
Perukku denotes rising. This festival is observed predominately by women in Tamil
Nadu. The Adiperukku, as a water-ritual, celebrated by women is to honour nature.
The association of this ritual with fertility, sex and reproduction is both natural and
human. This water ritual practice is performed on the banks of Rivers, which is
described as a rice-cultivation tract. The history of this ritual practice dates back to the
ancient period and was patronised by the Kings and royal households. This ritual
practice existed in various historical periods. Aadi is the month for sowing, rooting,
planting of seeds and vegetation since it is peak monsoon time when rain is showered
in abundance.
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