Aadi Perukku is also known as Pathinettam Perukku. As per Tamil Calendar, Aadi month signifies the arrival of the monsoon season in Tamilnadu, in other words, it means Aadi Monsoon Festival. Usually, Aadi Perukku arrives on the second or third day of August according to the western calendar. Aadi Perukku holds a significant place for all the Tamil people as it marks the onset of all Tamil festivals.
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Now, coming to the 'holy dip', the water level rises during this month because of rainfall. Therefore, people show their gratitude towards mother nature and most importantly river Kaveri. Apart from common Tamil people, farmers also join hands in celebrating this auspicious day as they depend on nature and water for their livelihood.
Tamil's Aadi Perukku festival is only bound to worship nature but there are myths and stories also attached to it. As per multiple reports, it is stated that Goddess Parvati meditated for Lord Shiva to get his divine vision. Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Shankaraya Swami in front of Maa Parvati. Devotees perform rituals on the riverbank near the rice cultivation area as it is associated with fertility and reproduction as both are part of nature. One more belief revolving around Aadi Perukku is Tamils believe worshiping monsoon and nature may bring rain in an adequate amount, and there may not be any water crisis in cultivating crops.
Coming back to the 2022 Aadi Perukku festival, the government of Tamil Nadu and the district administrations in the Delta region have made elaborate arrangements because the river is in full flow due to discharge from Mettur reservoir. Furthermore, tight security has been arranged including police personnel, a section of members of the Home Guards have been deployed along the Cauvery river bathing ghats and on Kollidam river banks.