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Aadi Pooram 2024 date – Andal Jayanti 2024 in Tamil Month Aadi

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Aadi Pooram, also known as Aandal Jayanti, is dedicated to Andal, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. The festival observed in the Tamil month of Aadi celebrates the birth of Andal. Aadi Pooram 2024 date is August 7. Aadi Pooram is also dedicated to Goddess Shakti and it is believed that the Goddess comes down to bless the people on this day. Pooram or Puram is one among the 27 Nakshatras in Hindu Astrology.

The story of Goddess Andal is famous throughout Tamil Nadu and She is renowned for her steadfast devotion for Sri Ranganatha (Lord Vishnu).

There is a popular belief that Goddess Andal is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Aadi Puram is of great significance in Lord Vishnu Temples in Tamil Nadu. Equally important is the day in Shakti Temples.

The festival is a major event at the Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Temple as it is believed that Andal through her unwavering devotion became the wife of Sri Ranganath (Lord Vishnu). Another major event is the car festival of Sri Andal Temple at Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar District.

Legend has it that a Vaishnava saint named Periyalwar of Srivilliputtur had no children. He prayed to Sri Ranganatha and Goddess Lakshmi for a child. Pleased with this ardent devotee, Goddess Lakshmi appeared as a child on a field in which Periyalwar was ploughing. Periyalwar gladly accepted this divine gift and this happened on a pooram day in the Aadi month.

Periyalwar continued with his devotion and used to make a garland with Tulsi leaves for Sri Ranganatha. Andal grew up to be a maiden and was in the habit of secretly wearing the Tulsi garland meant for Sri Ranganatha. One day Periyalwar found this out and scolded her and took a fresh garland. But the fresh garland fell off from Sri Ranganatha's neck and it continued so in spite of several attempts by Periyalwar. Finally, Lord Vishnu appeared before Periyalwar and said that he will only wear the garland worn by Andal as she is none other than Goddess Lakshmi.

Andal during her lifetime penned several verses singing the praise of Sri Ranganatha. Thiruppavai and the Nachiyar Thirumozhi are the famous compositions of Andal.

Aadi Pooram is major festival in Vishnu temples. Various incarnations of Goddess Shakti are worshipped on this day. If the festival falls on a Friday it is considered highly auspicious and the festival is celebrated more elaborately with numerous rituals.