Celebrating Andal’s Birthday- Thiru Aadi Poora Utsavam

Thiru Aadi pooram is a very important festival celebrated by Tamil Iyengars and along with them, all communities to celebrate the birthday of Goddess Poetess Andal, who has written the very famous 30 sonnets of ‘Thiruppavai’.

It is celebrated in various parts of Tamil Nadu in cities such as Srirangam and Srivilliputtur amongst others. This year’s Thiru aadi poora festival fell in between 11th August till 16th August and was celebrated with pomp and glory. Andal, the daughter of Periyalvar was a dedicated devotee of Lord Vishnu and she is said to have been born out of a Tulsi Plant. The garden where she took birth has been preserved in the town of Srivilliputtur near Madurai.

Andal has also penned Naachiar Thirumozhi which is a collection of 143 paasurams similar to Thiruppavai. In all its glory and grandeur, Thiruppavai and Nachiar Thirumozhi mark the heights of Sangam era and Sangam Literature.

The reason why this festivak is called Thiru Aadi Pooram is because of the nakshatram or star on which she was born, Pooram. People, especially Tamils from all across the country gathered this year in celebration of this amazing festival which ended with a ‘Ther’ or ‘Rath’ yatra on 16th August 2015.

Andal’s contribution to Tamil literature and Tamil heritage is known far and wide. There are many books written on this great poetess and several translations in English which is being studied by students worldwide.

Of all things, what is notable is her devotion for Lord Krishna. She is said to have married the Lord and is also said to be a ‘siddha’ saint. Her father Periyazhvar, also known as ‘Vishnu-Siddhan’ is also one of the 12 Azhwars who have composed the ‘Naalayira Divya Prabandham’.

Indeed, Andal’s birth and life remains an inspiration to all those who seek surrender and salvation at the Lord’s Lotus feet.