All the fridays falling in the month of aadi are considered very auspicious. Preparing sweets as offering (prasadam) to the goddess, visiting temples, doing special pujas are all the must do things for believers.
Special mention should be made of the pujas conducted for the ‘naga devatha’ (snakes). Milk, rice and jaggery are offered to the snakes. This is of great significance as snakes help the agriculturists by keeping a check on the rat population.
Betal leaves, turmeric, kumkum, betalnut,and coconut, together make a thambulam. The thambulam is offered to all women who we meet on fridays, to get their blessings and good wishes.
Iyers also offer Maa Vilakku on Aadi Velli Kizhamai to the Goddess. Click here to learn the procedure for Maa vilakku.
We can make some quick sweets as prasadam on aadi velli kizhamai.
Usually Manja pongal is the main dish cooked on this day.
I never realized pujas to snakes and pest control were connected!!!
I feel our ancestors were good in maintaining the ecosystem!
bye.
We’re great fans of snakes. How wonderful that special offerings are made to them in India. They are very helpful creatures, and some species, like black snakes, are very intelligent. In the 19th century, my great-grandfather kept 6-foot-long black snakes in his storage room to keep out the mice and rats. We have smaller, dark, striped snakes living in our garden. Sometimes they sun themselves on the hot flagstones. Our only problem is a Jack Russell terrier who hates snakes. We have to keep an eye on him so that he doesn’t attack them.
My son is an animal lover. He believes that we must learn to co-exist with all living creatures. I am excited to know that your grand father kept snakes.
latha.
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Latha,
Great site! belated birthday wishes!
regards
Ninja
Dear mami ,
I am a maharashtrian very much interested inTamil espciially iyngar recipies.
Can u pl tell me what are the dishes prepared for upanayanam ? Can u give some of the recipies?
Dear Mami,
Can u tell me how to prepare mullu thenguzhal and theratti pal.Iam really interested in these recipes.
Dear Gayathri,
I will post mullu thenkuzhal soon. Therattu paal is already posted. just search in the recipe index or search box.