
Aadi Pooram festival begins at Andal temple
The flag bearing the depiction of Garudazhwar was hoisted by the temple priests following special puja and amidst playing of nagaswaram.
The nine-day festival marks the Star Pooram of Tamil month Aadi, which is the birth star of Andal. The festival would witness the procession of the presiding deities, Andal and Lord Rengammanar, on gold palanquin, Simma vahanam, Sesha vahanam, Anna vahanam, Elephant vahanam, glass palanquin, flower palanquin, during the nights.
The highlight of the festival is the car festival which is scheduled on July 28.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Andal Temple P.R. Venketrama Raja, Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Madurai, Mariappan, Assistant Commissioner M. Nagarajan, Temple Executive Officer S. Sakkaraiammal, were among those who were present.
A huge pandal has been put up on the temple premises where several cultural programmes including music, dance, spiritual elocution, bhajan would be held.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Arches for Samayapuram & Vayalur temples in Tiruchy delayed
TIRUCHY: Questioning the delay in construction of a new entrance arch despite its groundbreaking ceremony having been held months ago, devotees and local residents seek the HR&CE department to respect visitors' sentiments and immediately complete the 'symbolic gateway' to the Mariamman temple in Samayapuram. A similar plea has been placed in regard to the Subramanya Swamy temple in Vayalur, whose entrance arch collapsed while under construction in February this year. The Mariamman temple, located near the Tiruchy-Chennai NH, had an entrance arch featuring carved idols of the principal deity of Mariamman, besides that of Murugan and Ganesha, installed near the Samayapuram four-road junction. The structure of 40 years, however, suffered damage after a truck en route to Manachanallur via the Samayapuram service road rammed into its base on August 3, 2024. The temple authorities inspected the site and brought down the entire structure to avoid danger to the public. Following this, a new arch was planned to be constructed, and a groundbreaking ceremony was held. No work, however, was carried since. Pointing out a year having nearly passed since the old arch was brought down, R Chellappan, a shopkeeper, said, 'Every morning, before opening my shop, I offered prayers at the arch. Further, for many truck drivers and vehicles heading to other districts, it was a sacred starting point. We miss it deeply.' Devotees also point to the Subramanya Swamy temple in Kumaravayalur being in a similar situation. As part of a Rs 4-crore renovation project, a 25-foot-high and 40-foot-wide decorative entrance arch was being constructed on the Vayalur-Adavathur road to replace an ageing one at the Chola-period temple. On February 6, 2025, the new arch, however, suddenly collapsed. R Kalaiselvan, a resident of Vasan Nagar and a frequent visitor to the Vayalur temple, said, 'The arch served as a landmark. Without it, many first-time visitors miss the turn to the temple and have to either enquire their way to it or return after passing it. It is more than just architecture and is part of the temple's identity. Months have passed but nothing has been done. The long delay in reconstruction shows neglect of our cultural heritage.' When contacted, an HR&CE official in Tiruchy told TNIE, 'We are looking for a new donor [to reconstruct the entrance arch] to the Vayalur temple. At Samayapuram, the arch base work has begun but it has been paused due to the Aadi footfall. Work will resume and be completed soon.'


Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Let's Get Rid Of The Little i
Just as Hath yog strengthens the inner and outer body, Bhakti yog purifies the heart, and Karm yog renders nobility to human actions, Jnan yog opens jnan-chakshu, 'eye of knowledge ' through self-inquiry, study of scriptures and meditation. The Bhagwad Gita , 4:38, says: Na hi jnanena sadrisham pavitramiha vidyate/tatsvyam yogasamsiddhah kalenatmani vindati - verily, there is no purifier in this world like knowledge. In due course of time, the devotee who is successful in yog will spontaneously realise this within his self. Jnan yog does not negate a life of action or devotion, but advocates for steadfastness in gaining knowledge by analysing true nature of the Self. Bhadragiriyar, 14th century Tamil poet-mystic, says: "It is knowledge which knows knowledge through knowing knowledge." Knowledge is para, infinite or apara, finite. The former relates to the higher dimension of being, the latter to the spatio-temporal world. The basic principles of Jnan yog are following: the Self alone is real; the world is only an appearance; to cognise appearance as reality is erroneous; to identify oneself with the mind, body and senses, is avidya, plain ignorance, and by knowing the Self, one becomes the Self. The light of true knowledge is imparted by a competent guru who is found by god's grace. To the question, ko jagriti? - 'Who is vigilant?' Adi Shankaracharya replied, viveki - one who has the power of discrimination. By cultivating vivek, one can distinguish between the real and unreal, Self and non-self, permanent and transient. Vivek leads to vairagya, dispassion, and vairagya to the supreme realisation that 'there is but one Self in the universe, of which all lower selves are but manifestations.' Swami Vivekananda advised: "Let us get rid of the little 'i' and let only the great 'I' live in us." Vivek guides one to perceive the cosmic Self in the individual self, the cosmic mind in individual mind, and cosmic consciousness in individual consciousness. As a result, the ego is obliterated, and one feels oneness with existence. Jnan yog adds to self-understanding by enlightening one about the pancha koshas or five layers of the soul, and about ashta chakras , eight whirling energy-centres of the subtle body that distribute life-current to the physical body. After one is established in Brahmn bhav, divine feeling, by right knowledge, one can go beyond the ordinary states of consciousness. Yet, Jnan yog is not merely an intellectual pursuit, since its goal is to transcend the mind. Jnana yog postulates three ways to grow spiritually: shravan, listening about the ultimate truth from the one who knows it; manan, reflecting on the truth; nididhyasan, meditation on the truth. By dwelling on one's inherent nature, one can realise the identity of atman, individual soul, and Brahmn, the Supreme reality, and experience bliss. The Jnan yogi undergoes four stages: seeking, knowing, becoming, and being. He uses his mind to inquire into his own nature and offers his senses and life-energy as oblations in the fire of self-control, kindled by knowledge. The Gita says, "He is a jivanamukta, liberated while living, and comes to realise that he is a divine being, 'the child of immortality'." Authored by: Satish K Kapoor Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3


Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Aadi Amavasai 2025: Date, Time, Puja Rituals and Significance
Aadi Amavasai is the most significant festival, which is celebrated across South India especially by the people who belong to Tamil community. This day falls on New Moon day or Amavasya, when Sun (Surya) and Moon (Chadrama) align together in the same zodiac sign. According to Tamil Calendar, this day holds a great religious and spiritual significance. The day is also dedicated to worship ancestors and people Tamilian people offer prayers to them on this specific day. This year, Aadi Amavasai is going to be celebrated on Shravan Amavasya i.e., on July 24, 2025. Aadi Amavasai 2025 : Date and Time Amavasai Tithi Begins - July 24, 2025 - 02:28 PM Amavasai Tithi Ends - July 25, 2025 - 00:40 AM Aadi Amavasai 2025: Significance Aadi Amavasai holds a great religious and spiritual significance among Tamil Hindus. This day is especially celebrated in South India and by the people, who belong to Tamil community. This day id dedicated to honor the ancestors and seek blessings of departed souls by offering prayers to them with utost devotion and show their gratitude to them. According to the Hindu Scriptures, the Moon symbolizes Shakti and the Sun represents Lord Shiva and that's the main reason to celebrate Aadi Amavasai that falls during the month of Shravan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indian Investors Are Buying These Dubai Apartments—Here's Why Binghatti Developers FZE Explore Undo Ancestors, or Pitru, are believed to descend from the Pitruloka to bless their offspring on this auspicious day. To honor their ancestors, the family's older male members offer Tarpan and conduct Pitru Puja. It is believed that Aadi Amavasai will bring harmony and wealth to the family. In Tamil Nadu, people commemorate this day with a lot of joy and fervor. Huge crowds congregate in several places to carry out different rites and ask for their ancestors' blessings. Aadi Amavasai 2025: Puja Rituals People perform a special ritual which is known as Pitru Tarpanam on this holy day. In addition to performing Tarpanam under the guidance of a trained priest, many people travel to the Ganga Ghats to take a sacred dip in the Ganga River. This ritual is believed to please ancestors and improve the family's happiness and well-being. They recite different prayers and mantras. They provide food for crows, cows, and dogs. Giving food, clothing, and other necessities to brahmins and to the underprivileged people is considered meritorious People go to temples to seek Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for their blessings. Mantras you can chant on this auspicious day: Om Namah Shivaye..!! Om Trayambhakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam Urvarukmiv Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat..!!