Atla Tadde Festival: Celebrating Marital Bliss And Traditional Rituals Among Hindu Women

Atla Tadde, or Atla Taddi nomu, is a cherished festival celebrated by married Hindu women in Andhra Pradesh. It is observed for the long life and well-being of their husbands. This festival is similar to Karwa Chauth in North India. Atla Tadde falls on Sunday, 20 October 2024. Women eagerly await this day as it symbolizes marital bliss and love.

The rituals of Atla Tadde begin at dawn. Married women and young girls take a holy dip in sacred waters. They eat Suddi before sunrise. A day-long nirjala vrat, or waterless fast, is observed until the Moon appears in the sky. In the evening, women see the full moon’s reflection in the water and worship Goddess Gauri by offering ten dosas.

After worshipping, ten dosas and a ‘thoram’ are shared among other married women. A ‘kalisam’ is prepared on rice grains for worship. Coins, flowers, mango leaves, turmeric, and kumkum are also used. Special dishes like Paltalikelu, sambar with eleven vegetables, and gonghura pachadi are prepared for the occasion.

Traditional Attire and Celebrations

On Atla Tadde, women wear traditional clothes and adorn themselves with jewelry. These ornaments symbolize their marital status. Mehendi is applied on palms on the eve of Atla Taddi. Women spend the day singing traditional songs, swinging, and preparing special food for the occasion.

Historical Story of Atla Tadde

The historical story behind Atla Tadde involves a princess who wanted to impress Goddess Gauri by fasting. However, she fainted due to thirst and hunger before completing it. Her brothers showed her a mirror reflecting fire to resemble a full moon to save her.

Later, when searching for a groom for her, no young man was found suitable. Her brothers arranged her marriage to an old man. In despair, she ran into the forest crying under a banyan tree. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before her and explained her situation was due to not completing the ritual properly.

The princess returned home and completed the rituals as directed by the deities. Soon after, she married a handsome young man of her choice.