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Atla Tadde
Atla Tadde
Atla Tadde
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Atla Tadde
Observed byTelugu Married Hindu women
TypeSpring festival of Goddess Gauri
BeginsAswiyuja
Date3rd night after the full moon in Aswiyuja month of Telugu calendar
Frequencyannual

Atla Tadde is a festival celebrated by both unmarried and married Hindu women, mainly in Andhra Pradesh,Telangana, India.[1] Unmarried women pray for a good husband, while married women pray for the health and long life of their husbands. It occurs on the third night after the full moon in the month of Aswiyuja in the Telugu calendar, which falls in either September or October in the Gregorian calendar. It is the Telugu equivalent of Karva Chauth, which is celebrated by North Indian women the following day.

Ritual

[edit]

Telugu Hindu women commemorate Atla Tadde by fasting for a day without food or water. They perform a pūja evening, and break their fast by eating small aṭlu after gazing at the moon.

Following are customs in some places of Andhra PradeshTelangana, India:

  • This festival is celebrated by women and children.
  • On eve of this day, they apply Gorintaku (henna) on their palms.
  • Women and children wake up in the early morning before the sunrise, and have suddi (rice cooked day before night) with perugu (curd) and Gongura chutney.
  • Unmarried girls and children will play on the streets singing Atla Tadde Songs after having suddi until sun rises.
  • People bathe in the river, swing in the Uyyala (Swing (seat)). They play and enjoy the day.
  • People watch the reflection of the Moon in nearby pond or lake after the sunrise welcoming the day.
  • Pootarekulu (sweet made with rice flour, jaggery, and milk)
  • Kudumulu (5 for gauri devi) (for yourself and other muttayuduvu 5 each and on 4 kudumulu you place one on top of the 4 and make it as deepam and eat the same after your pooja when the deepam is still lighting)
  • 11 small Dosas (for each)
  • Toranam for hand (with 11 knots for atla tadde n 5 knots toranam for Undralla tadde)

On this day, some have a custom of preparing atlu and keep those as offering to goddess Gowri, and after they will be distributed to relatives, neighbors as vaayanam. For each muttayduvu (these ladies/relatives fast along with the one who is having this pooja perform). The ceremony includes 11 ladies who already took this vayanam and if your menatta (dad's sister) took this vayanam the rituals continues. To all these 11 ladies you give each 11 atlu with deepam (made of rice flour and ghee and lit in front of goddess Gowri) you offer each lady the vayanam by holding with your sarees palluor kongu... you utter these words

...istinamma vanayam (i gave her the vayanam) ...puchukunna amma vayanam (lady says: i took the vayanam) ...mummatiki ichindamma vayanam (or) andinchinamma vayanam (i gave her the vayanam) ...mummatiki muttindamma vayanam (or) andindamma vayanam (lady says: i received the vayanam) ...vayanam puchukunna vanita evaro (you ask/pose a question saying who took the vayanam) ...ne ne namma gowri parvati (lady says: she says its me GowriParvathi)

and they then break the fast along with you by having all the dishes made and some also make sweet called temanam (made with milk and rice powder)and take home those atlu and eat later with family members.

Pooja ceremony:

  • Prepare kalasham on rice, coins (inside kalasam water, kumkum, turmeric, coin, and flower with 5 mango leaves or just water)
  • Make pasupu ganapathi
  • Gauri ashtotram
  • Lalitha harathi/gauri harathi
  • Story

People sing folk songs like atla taddi aaratloi, mudda pappu mudatloi,....

References

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Atla Tadde

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Atla Tadde is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily by women in the states of and , , during the Krishna Tritiya (Thadiya) of the Ashwayuja month, typically falling in , where participants observe a day-long fast and perform rituals to invoke blessings for marital harmony and the longevity of their husbands. Unmarried women undertake the vrat (fast) to pray for a suitable and prosperous husband, while married women seek the well-being and long life of their spouses, drawing inspiration from the legend of Goddess Gauri advising young girls to perform these rites for ideal matrimonial prospects. The , akin to the northern Indian Karwa Chauth in its emphasis on spousal devotion, involves preparing and offering atlu—small, sweet rice pancakes symbolizing abundance—along with other traditional dishes, and culminates in breaking the fast after rise with prayers directed toward the . Central to the observances are evening rituals honoring Goddess Gauri (a form of ), including the application of gorintaku ( designs on hands and feet) for auspiciousness and the recitation of specific slokas or stories from mythology that underscore themes of devotion and fidelity. Families often gather for a communal featuring the prepared atlu, fermented dishes, and seasonal sweets, fostering a sense of cultural continuity and female solidarity within Telugu-speaking communities.

Etymology and Origins

Name and Meaning

The name Atla Tadde originates from the , where "Atla" (or "Atlu") refers to small, thin pancakes or dosas made from rice and urad batter, which serve as the primary item consumed to break the fast during the festival. The term "Tadde" (sometimes spelled "Taddi") derives from "Tritiya Tithi," denoting the third of the dark (Krishna ) in the Telugu , aligning the festival with this specific timing in the month of Ashwayuja. Collectively, Atla Tadde translates to "the festival on the third day," encapsulating both the culinary centerpiece and the calendrical observance central to the event. This nomenclature highlights the 's emphasis on simple, nourishing foods prepared during the post-monsoon harvest season, reflecting Telugu agrarian traditions where such celebrations mark the transition to cooler weather and bountiful yields. The playful elements, including swinging on decorated uyyala (swings), further evoke themes of joy and marital harmony, tying into the worship of Goddess Gauri for prosperous unions.

Historical and Mythological Background

Atla Tadde traces its origins to ancient Telugu agrarian traditions in , where it is observed during the Ashwayuja month (September-October), aligning with the post-monsoon harvest period when communities celebrated agricultural abundance and familial prosperity. This timing underscores the festival's deep connection to rural life cycles, emphasizing themes of sustenance and renewal in pre-modern Telugu society. In , the festival is closely associated with Goddess Gauri, an incarnation of , who is said to have advised young unmarried women to undertake the vrat to seek blessings for marital harmony and a suitable partner, as recounted in regional Telugu . A prominent describes a devoted who attempted a strict fast to honor the goddess but collapsed from exhaustion; Gauri appeared in her dream, revealing the proper rituals—including the preparation and offering of atlu (rice pancakes)—and promising prosperity in marriage for those who observe them faithfully. This narrative highlights 's role as a benevolent protector of women, drawing from Shaivite traditions that venerate her unwavering devotion to as a model for spousal fidelity. Over time, Atla Tadde has evolved from intimate village-based observances rooted in communal agrarian rituals to more widespread urban celebrations, adapting while preserving its core emphasis on feminine piety and family bonds within Telugu Hindu communities. Its purpose bears similarity to the North Indian , both focusing on vows for husbands' longevity.

Observance

Date and Timing

Atla Tadde is observed annually on the Thadiya Tithi, the third lunar day (Tritiya) of in the Telugu month of Ashwayuja, corresponding to the Ashwin month in the broader ; this typically falls in or on the . The festival aligns with the third day of the waning moon phase following the full moon . For instance, in 2025, Atla Tadde was celebrated on October 9 in . The exact date is determined using the Hindu lunar Panchang, a traditional that accounts for local astronomical positions of the and sun, leading to minor regional variations in observance. In and , where the festival is prominent, the Panchang followed is often the Amanta calendar, ending the month with the new moon. Observance timings are tied to the solar and lunar cycles: the fast commences at sunrise, puja rituals occur in the evening, and the fast concludes after moonrise, usually between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM based on geographic location. For on October 9, 2025, moonrise was at 7:22 PM, marking the end of the fast.

Participants and Regional Scope

Atla Tadde is primarily observed by unmarried Telugu-speaking Hindu girls seeking a suitable husband and by married women praying for their husband's longevity and family prosperity. The festival is mainly celebrated among these women in the Indian states of and , reflecting its deep roots in Telugu culture. Its observance emphasizes a gender-specific focus on women's devotion, though it is community-oriented with group gatherings that promote sisterhood.

Rituals

Preparation and Daily Practices

Pre-festival preparations for Atla Tadde begin a day in advance, with women cleaning their homes thoroughly to create a pure environment for the observance. They also gather essential ingredients such as rice, lentils, and greens for preparing traditional offerings like atlu, ensuring everything is ready without delving into the ceremonial use. Additionally, women and girls apply gorintaku, a natural henna paste, to their hands and feet as a symbolic beautification ritual, often creating intricate designs that last through the festival. Homes may be adorned with toranam, fresh mango leaf garlands, to welcome prosperity. On the day of Atla Tadde, participants observe a strict nirjala fast from sunrise to moonrise, abstaining from both and to demonstrate devotion and self-discipline. To commence the fast, women consume a pre-dawn meal known as suddi, consisting of soaked mixed with and chutney, after which they engage in light purifying activities such as bathing in nearby rivers or wells. Throughout the day, women dress in vibrant traditional sarees, often accented with jewelry and , gathering in groups to foster community bonds. These gatherings feature the singing of preparatory Atla Tadde songs, which narrate themes of love, marriage, and marital harmony, passed down through generations to inspire joy and anticipation. A key symbolic act during the observance is swinging on makeshift unjal, simple rope swings tied to trees or beams, where women and young girls take turns to symbolize , , and the playful rhythms of . This activity, enjoyed in courtyards or under shaded groves, invokes blessings for prosperous unions and family well-being.

Puja and Ceremonial Elements

The evening puja dedicated to Goddess Gauri forms the centerpiece of Atla Tadde ceremonies, typically conducted after sunset once the moon has risen. Devotees arrange a simple featuring an idol or image of Gauri (), adorned with , , paste, and flowers, alongside a kalash (sacred pot) filled with water, coins, and topped with mango leaves and a coconut to invoke prosperity. Lamps lit with illuminate the setup, creating a sacred ambiance for . Central to the ritual is the preparation of 11 small atlu (fermented rice pancakes or dosas)—though some traditions use 10—and a toranam (decorative thread garland) tied with exactly 11 knots, smeared with and for auspiciousness. These items, along with a single kudumu (a steamed dumpling shaped as a lamp and lit with ), serve as primary offerings placed before the during the puja. The number 11 recurs throughout, symbolizing completeness in the rituals, as seen in the 11 atlu offered to Gauri and the 11 knots representing protective bonds. Following the offerings, vayanam (ritual gifts) comprising the 11 atlu, one kudumu, and the knotted toranam is distributed among at least 11 married women who have observed the fast, fostering communal blessings. This exchange involves scripted invocations: the giver recites phrases like "Isthinamma vayanam" (invoking maternal grace) and "" (saluting the goddess), while the receiver responds with "Puchukunnanu amma vayanam" or "Gauri Priya Swagatam" (welcoming the divine favor), thereby invoking Gauri's protective energy for marital harmony. The puja concludes with invocation chants and slokas dedicated to Gauri-Parvati, followed by aarti performed by waving the lit kudumu lamp around the and participants, accompanied by devotional songs. Participants then symbolically break their fast by gazing at the (Chandra Darshan), often through a or vessel, offering , , and atlu to the before partaking in the prasad. This moon-gazing act signifies the release of vows and the influx of prosperity.

Significance

Religious Importance

Atla Tadde is fundamentally dedicated to Goddess Gauri, an of revered as the epitome of the devoted wife in Hindu , embodying unwavering devotion, marital fidelity, and the prosperity of family life. Women invoke her blessings to foster harmonious marital bonds and ensure the well-being of their households, drawing on her divine role as Shiva's consort to symbolize enduring partnership and domestic sanctity. The festival centers on the , a sacred undertaken primarily by married women who observe a strict fast to seek divine favor for their husbands' health and longevity, reflecting a profound act of self-sacrifice akin to broader traditions of where feminine devotion channels cosmic energy for protection and fulfillment. Unmarried women also participate, praying for a suitable partner, thus extending the vrat's scope to encompass lifelong marital harmony under Gauri's benevolent gaze. This practice, believed to have been advised by Gauri herself in mythological lore, underscores the vow's role in aligning personal piety with divine will. Symbolically, Atla Tadde incorporates the lunar cycle, with the fast concluding at moonrise to honor Chandra Deva, representing calmness, renewal, and the nurturing aspects of feminine energy in , much like the cyclical observances in festivals such as Navratri that celebrate Shakti's regenerative power. The moon's emergence signifies fertility, peace, and the restoration of vitality, tying the ritual to themes of life's perpetual rhythm and the moon's association with emotional and spiritual rejuvenation. On a spiritual level, the observance promotes the purification of karma through disciplined and devotion, while strengthening marital bonds via collective that invites Gauri's grace for familial prosperity and inner harmony. Participants experience a deepened sense of spiritual , as the vrat's completion is thought to cleanse accumulated impurities and fortify the sacred union between spouses, echoing Hinduism's emphasis on in conjugal life.

Cultural and Social Role

Atla Tadde serves as a vital social function in Telugu society, fostering solidarity among women through collective and the sharing of stories centered on marital ideals and devotion. Women gather in groups to perform rituals, exchanging experiences that strengthen interpersonal bonds and emphasize themes of and in . This communal participation creates a space for emotional support and cultural reinforcement, particularly among female relatives and friends. The festival contributes to gender dynamics by empowering unmarried women, who actively pray to deities for a suitable partner, thereby expressing agency in their marital aspirations within a traditionally patrilineal framework. For married women, these observances reaffirm , underscoring devotion to husbands and the importance of familial stability in Telugu culture. Such practices highlight women's central role in upholding marital and household ideals, blending personal piety with societal expectations. In contemporary settings, Atla Tadde has seen urban adaptations, including group celebrations that accommodate modern schedules with partial fasting and community events, while facilitates wider sharing of traditions. The festival is also portrayed in Telugu media, such as devotional songs in films like Pavitra Bandham, which promote its cultural essence and attract younger audiences. These evolutions help maintain relevance amid changing lifestyles. Overall, Atla Tadde bridges generations by preserving oral traditions, including folk songs and , ensuring the transmission of Telugu heritage in the face of . Primarily concentrated in and Telangana, it sustains community cohesion and cultural identity through these enduring practices.

Cuisine and Customs

Traditional Foods

The primary dish associated with Atla Tadde is Atlu, consisting of small dosas made from a fermented batter, which are prepared and offered as naivedyam to Gauri before being distributed as vaayanam among participants. These dosas are cooked on a tawa to achieve a soft, spongy consistency and are traditionally served in quantities of 11 per person immediately after moonrise to break the nirjala fast observed during the day. Atlu is typically accompanied by Suddi, a pre-fast consumed before sunrise that includes cooked mixed with , gongura , and pickles, ensuring participants begin the fast nourished while adhering to purity. As prasad, pootarekulu—a delicate sweet made from thin rice flakes coated with and —is offered and shared, symbolizing prosperity and sweetness in marital life. Additionally, five kudumulu, steamed dumplings often filled with and , are prepared specifically for Gauri and arranged in a lamp-like formation during the evening puja. All foods prepared for Atla Tadde emphasize vegetarian, sattvic principles to maintain spiritual purity, focusing on fresh, fermented, and minimally spiced ingredients that align with Ayurvedic ideals of lightness and balance during the vrat. The role of these dishes in breaking the fast is integral to the ceremonial elements, where Atlu serves as the first post-pooja offering after sighting the moon.

Additional Festive Activities

During Atla Tadde, women engage in lively group singing of traditional folk songs known as Atla Tadde Paatalu, which often revolve around themes of love, marriage, and devotion to Goddess Gauri, fostering a sense of communal joy in villages across and . These performances typically involve unmarried and married women gathering in courtyards or open spaces, where the songs are accompanied by rhythmic clapping and occasional light-footed dances that enhance the festive mood. Playful activities add to the celebratory atmosphere, with participants enjoying swings on decorated uyyala (traditional swings) set up in homes or community areas, symbolizing and happiness. River baths are also a communal element, where women playfully splash and bond before the day's observances, refreshing both body and spirit. Light-hearted exchanges, including teasing dialogues among friends during group interactions, further enliven these moments. Homes are artistically adorned with intricate patterns at entrances and puja spaces, created using colored powders or to invite prosperity and create an auspicious environment. In the evenings, after moonrise, women convene for sessions, recounting legends of devoted wives such as the tale of a princess who, through unwavering faith in Goddess Parvati despite an incomplete fast, secured a prosperous , reinforcing the festival's emphasis on marital . These gatherings often include small exchanges of symbolic items like thoranam knots among participants, strengthening bonds of sisterhood.

References

  1. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/atla-tadde-2025-date-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/124368755.cms
  2. https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/when-is-atla-tadde-2025-date-timings-significance-and-rituals-of-andhra-pradeshs-auspicious-festival-article-152957859
  3. https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/atla-tadde-2025-date-moonrise-time-puja-rituals-and-significance-2800302-2025-10-09
  4. https://www.moneycontrol.com/religion/atla-tadde-2025-date-check-atla-taddi-nomu-timings-puja-vidhi-and-significance-of-the-auspicious-festival-for-married-women-article-13601016.html
  5. https://www.dkscore.com/festival/atla-tadde-2025-2025-356-299
  6. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/atla-tadde-2024-date-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/114367162.cms
  7. https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/atla-tadde-2025-date-moonrise-time-puja-rituals-and-significance/ar-AA1O80dU
  8. https://www.drikpanchang.com/telugu/festivals/atla-tadde/atla-tadde-date-time.html
  9. https://www.indianetzone.com/atla_tadde
  10. https://www.prokerala.com/festivals/atla-taddi.html
  11. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/atla-tadde-2022-date-story-rituals-and-significance/articleshow/94780585.cms
  12. https://hindugallery.com/atla-tadde/
  13. https://www.oneindia.com/lifestyle/atla-tadde-a-festival-celebrated-by-telugu-women-for-husbands-long-life-011-7882455.html
  14. http://tastesandtrends.blogspot.com/2013/10/atla-taddi-my-first-article.html
  15. https://hindupad.com/atla-tadde-main-rituals-and-customs/
  16. https://eliteeventsofandhra.com/2016/10/06/atla-thadhi-ceremony/
  17. https://www.thedailyjagran.com/spiritual/atla-tadde-2025-date-time-moonrise-timings-significance-and-rituals-of-atla-taddi-nomu-10272177
  18. https://pujahome.com/blogs/articles/atla-tadde-2024
  19. https://bhaktinidhi.com/en/atla-taddi/
  20. https://telugutraditions.com/atla-tadde-significance-and-celebrations/
  21. https://www.hellotravel.com/events/atla-taddi
  22. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sattvic-diet-review
  23. https://www.latestly.com/lifestyle/festivals-events/atla-tadde-2020-date-and-significance-know-the-rituals-traditions-and-mythological-stories-of-the-festival-celebrated-in-andhra-pradesh-2120649.html
  24. https://www.thedailyjagran.com/spiritual/atla-tadde-2024-dos-and-donts-women-must-follow-on-atla-taddi-nomu-10195513
  25. https://www.thedailyjagran.com/spiritual/atla-tadde-2024-date-thadiya-tithi-timings-moonrise-time-significance-and-rituals-of-this-telugu-festival-10195140
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