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Aadi 18 Perukku - 18th Day Rituals in Tamil Aadi Masam 2024

Aadi 18 Perukku as the name indicates is observed on the 18th day of the Tamil Month Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). Aadi 18 Perukku 2024 date is August 3. The Aadi month in Tamil Nadu falls during the monsoon season and the festival is essentially a Thanksgiving to monsoon rains which fill the rivers – the lifeline of farmers. As it is celebrated on the 18th day, Aadi Perukku is also known as Pathinettam Perukku.

Aadi 18 Perukku and Kaveri River

Aadi 18 Perukku is observed mainly by people residing along the Kaveri River bank. ‘Perukku’ means rising – indicating the rising water in rivers. The festival is essentially a form of Nature worship and thanksgiving to Mother Nature.

18th Day Rituals in Tamil Aadi Masam


What do People do Aadi Perukku?

On the day, family, relatives, and friends get together and pray for uninterrupted supply of water and a good harvest in the coming season. Special food is prepared on the day and is shared with friends and relatives.

On the day, all family members make a trip to the riverbank and prepare a special lamp using rice flour and jaggery, which is placed on mango leaves and lit. Flowers, turmeric, and a yellow thread are also placed on the mango leaves. Women float the lamps along with the mango leaves and other accompaniments in the river.

Special delicacies are prepared on the day and family members are joined by relatives and friends. People also prepare several varieties of rice including the popular ‘chithranam.’ Family members go on a picnic to riverbanks along with the food prepared. The riverbank or seashore picnic is a major event in some districts in Tamil Nadu on the day.

Special prayers and pujas are done in temples for a good harvest, constant supply of water and hassle free monsoon.

In some communities on Aadi Perukku day, the son-in-law is invited and is presented new clothes by parents.

Usually, during Aadi month, the newly wed brides spend the month at her parent’s home and on Aadi 18 Perukku, a gold coin is added to the thali or mangal sutra in some southern districts of the state.