THEDI VARUM SELVAM on AADI POORAM
Aandaal is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Devotees believe that the Goddess has made Her Thiru Avtar on this auspicious day - Aadi Pooram. Aadi Poora Thiruvizhaa is also associated with Goddess Shakti. Incidentally, today happens to be the day of Valaikaapu (baby shower) for Goddess Paarvathi Devi.
At many mandirs, special poojas are being performed to Goddess Paarvathi Devi. They decorate the Goddess with glass bangles which are subsequently offered as prasad to the women devotees. Popular belief in many Tamil homes is that if married women wear these bangles they would be blessed with offspring and if women who are in family way wear these can have a safe delivery as the Goddess supposedly protects the child from unforeseen impediments like diseases or other evil forces.
Aandal is the incarnation of Bhooma Devi, who was the second consort of Vishnu. . Periyaazhwar, who was one of the 12 Naayanmaar saints, found her as a shishu @ a Thulsivan at Srivilliputhur(TN). Aandal used to string flowers blossomed at the garden as fullfledged garlands for Sri Vadabhadhra Saai (Lord Vishnu). But before handing over the garland to her father, she would first wear it and admire herself before the mirror. Periaazhvaar was not aware that she had worn the garland meant for the Lord. Thee fact of her doing like this, however, came to open one dayand he was very much upset. He scolded his daughter and took a fresh garland to the mandir. However, Lord appeared into his dream and told that He would accept only Andal’s garlands.
When Aandal attained womanhood, Periyaazhwar was in search of a suitable bridegroom. Aandaal was adamant that she would marry only Lord Ranganatha of Sri Rangam. Periaazhwar sensed the peril and started worrying Lord Vishnu, however, solved this problem by appearing in his dream and advised to bring Aandal to Sri Rangam so that he could marry Her. Their marriage took place on an auspicious Panguni Uthiram Dhin.
At homefront, the very significance of Aadi Pooram celebrations is women wakeup very early and decorate their houses beautifully with rangolis. Goddess Andal loves the lotus flower, the color red, and kalkandu rice. The women also prepare an elaborate meal which they offer to the Goddess.
Devotees also read the Thiruppavai - thirty hymns authored by Aandaal and ‘Lalitha Sahasranamam - on Shakthi’. Aandal Mandir at Srivilliputthur and other vaishnavaite mandirs celebrate this Aadi Pooram Dhin in a an elaborate way, as Andal was supposedly born at Srivilliputthur. It is a 12-day festival here. The momentous marriage (Thirukalyanam) of Lord Ranganatha and Aandal is held with great pomp and fanfare on the last day of the festival. Glass bangles are given as prasad to female devotees at temples.
When I was about to finish this write up with HER Blessings, I was surprised to hear the calling bell ringing at very early morning than I expected thinking that my neighbor would have called urgently. The milk wallah was standing before me at the doorsteps - but this time not with the milk sachet - but with a basketful of flowers informing that all these flowers have blossomed at the garden at our newly built house and that today being Aadi Pooram, these could be used at our house for Pooja. Such is the blessed effect of Aadi Pooram festival which percolates into every devoted persona.