Atla Thaddhe – Festival Dedicated To Goddees Gauri
Posted on October 6, 2008 in Festivals by naveen
Atla Thaddhi is the festival which falls after Dasara every year. Atla Thaddi is the regional festvial of Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated by married women as well as unmarried women. Goddess Gauri is worshipped on the day of Atla Thaddi.
When is Atla Thaddhi?
Atla Thaddi is celerbated on the third day after fullmoon day in the second fortnight of the month ‘Aswayuja’. It is celebrated on the day of Aswayuja Krishna Thadiya. It falls just a week after Dussehra.
When is Atla Thadiya in 2008?
In 2008, Atla Thaddhe is celebrated on 17th October, Friday.
Why Atla Thaddi is Celebrated?
Atla Thaddi is celebrated to pray to the Goddess Gauri, the Goddess of peace and prosperity. The women of Andhra Pradesh (Telugu Women) celebrate the festival with utmost devotion. Women worship the Goddess to get the blessings of the Goddess for their families’ prosperity and health of their family members.
Unmarried women pray to the Goddess Gauri and celebrate the festival to bless them with a good and caring husband and great married life. Married women worship the Goddess for prosperous family and better health of family members.
How Atla Thaddi is Celebrated or What are the Rituals and Customs of Atla Thaddi?
On the day of Atla Thaddi, Women get up early from the bed before sun rises and take ceremonial bath or spiritual bath. After the bath, they dress up their hands with ‘Gorintaku’ or ‘Maidhaaku’ (Mehendi). Unmarried women believe that how much their husbands will love them may depende on the colour of the Mehendi they have got after putting and clearing it. The more red colour they get, the more they will be loved by their husbands.
After cleaning ‘Mehendi’, women eat ‘Atlu’ (dosas) with several specially made chutneys with amla, goose berries and Gongura (Sorrel).
Gauri Puja – Predominent Ritual of Atla Thaddhi :
Women perform Gauri Puja in the evening. Married women worship the Goddess for a long and happy married life and the long life of their husbands and their childrens.
Procedure of Atla Thaddi Nomu (Vratam) :
Idol of Gauri is installed in a sacred and sanctified place. Idol of the Goddess is offered Abhisheka (bath) and dressed up with new clothes and while reciting the mantras, the performers spill Pasupu (turmeric powder), Kumkuma (crimson powder) and flowers. At the end Goddess is offered ‘Naivedyam’ (food offerings) and then Aarti is given to Goddess Gauri.
After Gauri Puja or Atla Thaddi Nomu, the performers and all family members take theertha and prasadam.
Atla Thaddi – A Day For Entertainment :
Throughout the day of Atla Thaddhe, women play several games and recreational activities. Women play Jhoola or Uyyala or Jampala (swing) aata, where they swing for sometime.
Atla Thaddi – Regional Festival of Andhra Pradesh :
In rural areas of Andhra Pradesh, Atla Thaddhi is celebrated more traditionally. Some people celebrate the festival in urban places like Hyderabad, Vizag and Vijayawada.
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