Latest news with #AadiPerukku
New Indian Express
06-08-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Cauvery ghats turn garbage heaps after festivals; over one tonne waste cleared annually
TIRUCHY: Another 'Aadi Perukku' has passed by but there has been no let-up in the practice of visitors leaving behind clothes, flowers and other items used in the rituals on the banks of the bathing ghats of River Cauvery, rue city residents. Pointing out the problem to be acute at Amma mandapam in Srirangam, where the Cauvery is cleared of one tonne of discarded clothes on average annually, they urge joint efforts by the corporation and the HR&CE department to raise awareness among the public so as to yield better results. Drawing hundreds of people, particularly during new moon day and other occasions, the Amma mandapam under control of the HR&CE department, however, turns a trash pile with the visitors leaving behind clothes and pooja items in the river and on the banks, believing it is tradition. When the river flows, the waste gets carried downstream and spreads. While the corporation undertakes special drives annually, the quantity of clothes alone cleared from the river has hardly been less than one tonne every time, say officials. Expressing concern over the situation at the bathing ghat, S Ragavan, who has been working to protect waterbodies, said, "The entrance to the river is always dirty, and there are not enough signs or instructions to visitors. The Tiruchy corporation and the HR&CE department must run 24x7 awareness campaigns using speakers and assign workers to directly educate devotees. People should be guided to dump wet clothes into designated bins. If done consistently, the problem can be resolved.' A special committee comprising environmental experts and government officials should address the issue, he added. B Sridhar, a visitor to Amma mandapam from Chennai, said, "I could not bathe properly because I kept stepping on clothes floating in the river." When contacted, a senior official from the Tiruchy corporation said, "We clean the river steps every day with help from our sanitation team. We also conduct yearly clean-up drives with volunteers to remove clothes and other waste. Even though we have set up areas where people can leave used clothes, many still discard them into the river. We will review the situation and take necessary action."
New Indian Express
04-08-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Thousands gather on Cauvery banks for Aadi Perukku fest
TIRUCHY: Thousands of people gathered along the banks of Cauvery and Kollidam rivers in the delta districts on Sunday to celebrate Aadi Perukku. People living along river banks commemorate the 18th day of Tamil month Aadi as day of thanksgiving to the river, which plays a vital role in sustaining agriculture and livelihoods. Newlywed couples deposit the garlands used for their wedding in the flowing waters and women change the"thaali" string. With a huge volume of water flowing in the Cauvery, the Tiruchy district administration had made elaborate arrangements at Amma Mandapam, Thillai Nayagam, Odathurai, and Ayyalamman ghats. Barricades and scaffolding were placed and people were permitted to take a dip with precautionary measures in place. Around 350 police personnel were deployed across the ghats to regulate the crowd. Speaking to TNIE, S Karthik and Priya, a newlywed couple from Lalgudi said, "We got married just a month ago, and our elders insisted we attend 'Aadi Perukku' together. It is a beautiful tradition, and we felt a sense of peace offering prayers to the river that nourishes our land."
New Indian Express
03-08-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Customs by the Cauvery
Thanni vandhuruchu, doi!'— the joyous cry echoed across villages and riverbanks. A little before the start of Aadi this year, videos flooded our feeds: people praying, children dancing barefoot in slush, women placing beetle leaves and turmeric-soaked lemons at the river's edge, and elders watching in quiet reverence as the mighty Cauvery returned. One such video alone touched nearly two million views, capturing the raw emotion of people. It was more than a seasonal spectacle. It was an ancient way of aligning with nature, giving thanks to what sustains life, and praying for continued balance between the earth, rain, and the river. For the people of Tamil Nadu, the Cauvery is a giver, a guardian, and therefore, a goddess. Aadi Perukku, celebrated yesterday — the 18th day of Aadi — is a tribute to this life-giving goddess. It marks the swelling of the river, timed with the monsoon rains, and is observed with rituals far removed from the urban rhythm of the city; but central to the cultural identity of Tamil Nadu. CE speaks to those who live along and worship Cauvery, to remind us city-dwellers of a tradition rooted in oneness with nature. According to Srivatsan Ramkumar, the celebration is central to the abundant water that gushes through, providing much respite from the harsh summers. 'It is celebrated because it provides irrigation for the farmers but the river also has religious significance. Since the arrival of water adds greenery to the landscape and enables new vegetation, people believe the river to be a personification of goddess Amman,' he says.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Copious Cauvery enlivens Aadi Perukku celebrations
Trichy/Madurai: Thousands of people from various parts of the state thronged the banks of Cauvery and Kollidam rivers passing through Trichy to celebrate Aadi Perukku on Sunday. With water being discharged into the river at more than 15,700 cusecs, police and fire safety department personnel ensured safe conduct of the festival by restricting the devotees to use four designated bathing ghats. In Madurai, large-scale palm seed planting, river heritage events, and community-led afforestation drives marked the celebrations. Unlike previous years, as a substantial quantity of water is being discharged into the Cauvery from Mukkombu regulator, locals and visitors from nearby districts assembled at Amma Mandapam ghats in Srirangam to offer prayers. Newly wed couples accompanied by family members performed rituals on the river bank with prayers for togetherness in their married life. Flower garlands used in their wedding were floated into the river. As Aadi Perukku is a traditional thanksgiving day, prayers were performed to thank the Cauvery for rejuvenating lives in the agrarian hamlets, marking the commencement of fresh crop cycle. The festival is traditionally celebrated on the 18th day of the Tamil month of Aadi (July-Aug). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Animal Photos To Cheer Up Anyone Undo Trichy corporation had provided flood lights and temporary toilets near the bathing ghats as people arrived since 4am. Workers insisted that visitors not dump waste including plastic carry bags into the river. Bins were placed near the ghats and priests performing rituals were urged to insist that devotees use bins, corporation sources said. As part of 'Aadipattam Thedi Vidhai,' the climate wing of Young Indians (Yi) planted 2,025 palm seeds across five locations in Thirumangalam municipality in Madurai. Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam organised awareness events highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of the river. In an event combining housing support and ecological action, 100 native tree saplings were planted near Thirunagar in Sakayam Nagar, Vedarpuliyankulam panchayat. The initiative coincided with the housewarming ceremony for 33 families from the Kattu Nayakkar indigenous community, who got new homes under Tamil Nadu govt's Tribal Welfare Housing Scheme. The sapling planting event was coordinated by Oorvanam Nature Foundation and Madurai Nature and Cultural Foundation. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Welfare assistance worth 2.67 crore distributed to mark Valvil Ori festival
Namakkal: District collector Durgamoorthi distributed welfare assistance amounting to 2.67 crore to 190 beneficiaries, on the conclusion of the two-day Valvil Ori festival in Kolli Hills. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The district administration hosts this annual festival during the Aadi Perukku festivities in honour of King Valvil Ori, one of the seven esteemed kings from ancient . On the sidelines of the festival, the sports development authority of Tamil Nadu organised a south India-level archery competition in collaboration with the Namakkal district archery association. The competitions were held in three categories: Indian, recurve, and compound, with separate events for men, women, and students across various age groups, including under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-17, under-19, and over-19. Over 300 archers from south India, including participants from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, and Karnataka, took part in the competition. Winners were awarded with gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with a Valvil Ori trophy and cash prizes. The ceremony was attended by Sendamangalam MLA K Ponnusamy, various government officials, athletes, tourists, and members of the public
