Atla Taddi Festival

 

• Atla Taddi is celebrated in the Indian month of Ashwayuja and falls on the third night after a full moon.  
• It falls in October or November every year.
• It is a traditional festival of Andhra Pradesh and is celebrated by Hindu married women to seek the blessings of Goddess Gauri for a happy and long married life. This festival is symbolic of the strength of a woman and the effect of her good deeds that benefit her husband. 

Legend :

According to mythology, Atla Taddi is a ritual suggested by Goddess Gauri for all young unmarried girls to seek Her blessings for a suitable bridegroom.

Rituals :

This festival is celebrated by women and children. Women and children wake up early before sunrise and have saddi (rice cooked the day before night) with perugu (curd) and Gongura chutney. On the eve of Atla Taddi, women and girls apply Mehendi on their palms. The entire day is spent singing traditional festival songs, swinging, and preparing special food for the occasion. In the evening, the women see the full moon in a body of water and thereby worship Goddess Gauri by offering ten dosas to her.

After the pooja, a Vayanam has to be given to a married woman. The Vayanam will consist of 10  Dosas and tie a Thoram to the married woman. Take blessings from the married woman. The Vayanam has to be given, assuming that the woman accepting the Vayanam is none other than Goddess Gauri. The above process has to be done for 10 years. After ten years, Udyapana has to be completed.

Udyapana Process:

Ten married women are to be invited to the house. Each woman has to be given Vayanam. Vayanam consists of 10 Atlu or Dosas, Dakshina or money, black beads or Nalla Pusalu, Lakka Jollu or Pasupu, and Kum, Tambulam.

2024 Date: 20 October.