Why 'புரட்டாசி' Trended in India: The Tamil Month of Perumal Worship, Saturday Fasts and Vegetarian Discipline

Why 'புரட்டாசி' trended on 18 September 2026

Google Trends recorded a spike for புரட்டாசி (Purattasi) in India on 18 September 2026 – roughly 500 searches with about 100 % growth over the previous 24 hours. source

The reason is simple: according to the Tamil calendar, that day marked Purattasi 1, the first day of the Tamil month Purattasi, a period especially associated with the worship of Perumal (Vishnu). Asianet News Tamil reported on 18 September 2026 that many Perumal devotees start their fasting discipline from day one. source

What is Purattasi and why is it significant?

Purattasi (புரட்டாசி) is the sixth month of the Tamil calendar, typically falling between mid‑September and mid‑October in the Gregorian calendar. It is widely regarded as a month dedicated to Perumal (Vishnu) worship. As Asianet News Tamil put it, the month immediately brings to mind Perumal worship, Saturday fasting, avoiding non‑vegetarian food, and lighting a lamp at home for prayer. source

Within the month, the Saturdays (சனிக்கிழமை) hold special importance. Devotees commonly observe fasting or food discipline on Purattasi Saturdays and visit Perumal temples. The exact end date of Purattasi and the dates of its Saturdays vary each year, so readers should confirm them against a current Tamil panchangam.

How temples marked the month’s start

Dinamalar reported that on the first day of Purattasi, a special homam was held at the Sundara Vinayagar Temple in Tiruttani (Tiruvallur district). According to the report, the ritual began at 5:00 AM with three kalasams placed in the temple premises, followed at 6:00 AM by a special abhishekam, alangaram and maha deeparadhanai. The event was attended by a large number of devotees. source

Fasting customs and what devotees eat

Fasting practices during Purattasi vary by family, community and region. Some devotees avoid non‑vegetarian food for the entire month; some fast only on Saturdays; some skip a full day’s meals while others eat just one meal. Asianet News Tamil’s 18 September 2026 guide stressed choosing a fasting method suited to one’s health rather than following a single rigid rule. source

For those switching to a vegetarian (saivam) diet during the month, the report suggested rotating vegetables and greens through the week rather than repeating one item daily:

• Vegetables: carrot, bottle gourd (சுரைக்காய்), pumpkin, brinjal, beans, cauliflower, cabbage, ridge gourd (பீர்க்கங்காய்), broad beans and potato.
• Greens: murungai keerai, arai keerai, siru keerai, pasalai keerai, ponnanganni keerai, vendhaya keerai, mulai keerai and agathi keerai.

These are general vegetarian suggestions from the report, not religious rules – actual food customs differ across households.

A health caution before strict fasting

The same Asianet News Tamil report advised that children, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with chronic illnesses or daily medication should consult a doctor before undertaking a strict fast. It also noted that adequate water and nutrition should be maintained during fasting, and that if health appears affected, it is better to stop the fast and eat as needed. source

What to keep in mind

Purattasi remains one of the most widely observed months in Tamil religious life, and the 18 September 2026 search spike simply reflects devotees checking the month’s arrival. Ritual details such as specific mantras or procedures for Saturday worship are matters of belief and tradition attributed to priests and religious sources, not verifiable outcomes. For exact dates of Purattasi Saturdays in 2026, consult a current Tamil panchangam, and for temple event timings, confirm directly with the temple concerned.