Festivals Light Up Tamil Nadu: Valvil Ori and Aadi Perukku Celebrate Tradition

On Sunday, August 2, the hills of Namakkal and the banks of the Kaveri in Dharmapuri burst into colour as two age‑old festivals rolled out their programmes. The two‑day Valvil Ori festival opened at Kolli Hills, while the three‑day Aadi Perukku celebrations began at Hogenakkal.

At Kolli Hills, Senthamangalam MLA P. Chandrasekar, accompanied by Revenue Divisional Officer V. Shanthi, kicked off the festivities by laying floral tributes before a large portrait of the mythical Valvil Ori. The ceremony also marked the launch of a vibrant flower show inside the local botanical garden.

Imagine 60,000 blossoms fashioned into whimsical shapes – a goat, a rooster, a calf, butterflies, a classical dancer, a rabbit, even a moon and a heart. Not to be outdone, vegetables were sculpted into a dragon, an eagle and crocodiles, turning the garden into an open‑air gallery.

Later, the MLA opened an archery competition held at the government residential school, while students from 18 nearby schools performed folk dances, songs and skits, adding a lively community feel to the event.

Because of the influx of visitors, district police declared the ghat road a one‑way stretch for two days. Vehicles climbing up the hills were rerouted through Karavalli, and those descending used the Mullukurichi path, a practical move that kept traffic flowing smoothly.

Meanwhile, at Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, Minister for Housing and Urban Development B. Rajkumar inaugurated the Aadi Perukku festival. The minister opened an exhibition where 23 government departments showcased their recent achievements, ranging from water projects to rural health initiatives.

In a notable gesture, the minister also unveiled completed schemes worth ₹7.48 crore and handed out welfare assistance amounting to ₹19.63 crore to 1,910 beneficiaries. The aid, spread across various livelihood programmes, underscored the festival’s blend of cultural reverence and social welfare.

Both festivals, steeped in tradition, also served a modern purpose: they reminded locals and visitors alike that celebrations can be both joyful and purposeful, weaving together folklore, community spirit, and government outreach.