The months Adi and Thai are important. These mark the start of the ayana (solstice). Ayana means path. Utharayana is when the sun travels from south to north in a northward incline. Dakshinayana is when the sun moves southwards from north to south. The six months Thai to Ani form utharayana, and Adi to Marghazhi dakshinayana. Utharayana with its long days is but one day for the immortals; and dakshinayana with its long nights one night. Thai and Adi, as the start of their day and their night, acquire importance. Adi (July-August) is considered a special month for the Mother in her various manifestations. Adi Pooram is said to be the day when the Mother gave darshan to deities like Sri Devi and Andal, and the day Uma attained womanhood. Hence the celebration of Adi Pooram as a grand festival for the Mother in temples. It is said that dakshinayana is ideal for worship of Shakti and utharayana for worship of Shiva. The offering of pulse sprouts on Adi Pooram day symbolizes Shakti’s engaging in creation on this day. Andal, the only woman among the 12 vaishnavite devotees who composed Divya Prabhandham, is said to have been born on this day. Perur Puranam stresses that worship of the Mother on this day yields immense benefit. Indeed, all four Fridays in Adi are ideal for worship of the Mother. There is special puja on these days in temples.
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