Fervour peaks on 3-ritual day

The glimpse of river Cauvery brimming, with water touching both the edges of the banks of the river, definitely brings joy on everyone’s face. This is perhaps one of the reasons why thousands of people without fail gather on the day of Aadi Perukku every year.

Tiruchy wore a festive look on Tuesday to welcome Aadi Perukku festival, which falls on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi. With loud speakers blaring along the banks of the Cauvery to welcome the devotees and also to caution them while taking the holy dip at the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat, the Cauvery river was infested with the young couples and women, performing the rituals for their peaceful life and prosperity. While the priests performed the poojas, thousands of devotees offered prayers in the knee-deep water. 

Meanwhile, Namperumal, the procession deity of Srirangam temple was taken to Amma mandapam ghat, with an aim to honour Cauvery river and to bless the devotees, who had arrived at the historical temple town from various parts of the state and country. Those who couldn’t make it to Cauvery banks observed Aadi Perukku in nearby water bodies be it wells or sacred tanks in temples and prayed for continuous supply of water and good harvest. 

In Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts too, Aadi Perukku was celebrated on the coast of Thamirabarani river. They offered special prayer at the river and thanked the river for supporting their livelihood. A Class 12 student, Siovasankar of Alakarai near Musiri, who went to take bath in Cauvery at Thottiyam Manamedu was reported missing. Though the fire and rescue personnel soon launched a search in the river, the boy remained untrace at the time of going to press.