Aadi pooram on August 2, 2011

Dear Members:

The auspicious Aadi Pooram festival falls on August 2, 2011 this year. It marks the appearance of the devotee-par-excellence Aandaal on earth (it was on this day when Shri Vishnu chittar - later hailed as Periyaazhwaar - found Aandal as a child when he was plucking flowers for daily pooja). This is celebrated with gaiety in all Vaishnavite temples. This day is also auspicious for propitiation of Mother Goddess in any of Her Forms. It is customary to offer bangles, turmeric pieces, blouse-bits or other auspicious items to ladies visiting temples and invoke the Blessings of Divine Mother (Shaastras say that when women are venerated, She Herself is Honoured).

As this year Aadi pooram falls on a Tuesday also, Mangala Gowri vratam can also be observed on that day making it twice auspicious.

Ladies desirous of a good spouse in life can recite the following slokha on Mangala Gowri:

"Om MangalE MangalaadhaarE MaangalyE mangalapradE
mangalaartham mangalEshi soumaangalyam cha DEhi ME"

मंगले मंगलाधारे मांगल्ये मंगलाप्रदे
मंगलार्थम मंगलेशी सौमान्गाल्यम च देहि में

Recite this 108 times, and offer a deepam in Honour of Mangala Gowri. You can offer any sweet offering and any savourite made of urud daal in Honour of Goddess Mangala Gowri.

This can be done even by parents of girls on their behalf.

May Goddess in all Her manifold Forms bless us all.

Blessed be.
Pandit R. DAKSHINA MOORTHI