Atla Taddi

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Atla Taddi is a traditional and culturally rich festival celebrated predominantly by Telugu communities, mainly in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is often described as the South Indian counterpart of Karwa Chauth, though it has its own unique identity, traditions, and significance.

While Karwa Chauth is primarily observed by married women, Atla Tadde is primarily celebrated by young, unmarried girls who fast and pray for a loving, ideal, and long-lived husband in the future. The festival is also celebrated by married women to ensure marital harmony and the well-being of their spouses.

Atla Taddi

When is it celebrated?

Atla Tadde is observed on the third day (Tadiya) after the full moon (Pournami) in the Ashwayuja month of the Telugu lunar calendar. This usually falls in September or October.

The festival occurs one day before Karwa Chauth, which is celebrated more widely in North India.

Pre-Dawn Rituals

The day begins very early. Girls wake up during Brahma Muhurta (before sunrise, around 3:30–4:30 AM), and will have a small meal before dawn.

Pre-fast Meal (Suddi):

They eat a small meal consisting of:

Atlu (thin dosas made with rice and urad dal batter)
Perugu (curd/yogurt)
Fruits and sweets

This meal is important because they will fast the entire day without even drinking water (a nirjala vrat). After this, they do not consume any food or water until the evening rituals are completed.

Tradition of Swinging

One of the most joyful and culturally rich aspects of Atla Tadde is the swinging tradition. Women, especially young girls, swing on decorated wooden or rope swings, often tied to tree branches in courtyards or gardens. There are folk songs that girls sing during swinging.

The act of swinging, or “Uyyala Aadadam”, is symbolic of joy, freedom, feminine grace, and celebration of life. It is believed that Goddess Parvati herself enjoyed swinging, and girls re-enact this as a way to honor her, seeking her blessings for a happy, married life in the future.

Rituals

The heart of Atla Tadde lies in its rituals, which are both spiritual and social.

Fasting and Preparations

Girls spend the day fasting, singing traditional songs, and decorating their hands with mehendi, often applied the night before. They prepare special offerings for the pooja, including:

Atlu (usually 11 or 13 dosas)
Gugillu (black chickpeas seasoned with mustard seeds and coconut)
Fruits, flowers, and turmeric
Tamboolam (betel leaves, areca nuts, bangles, etc.)

Gauri Pooja

A decorated area is arranged for the Gauri pooja, with idols or pictures of Goddess Gauri and Lord Shiva. Each girl has her own puja thali, beautifully arranged with:

Atlu
Flowers
Deepam (lamp)
Roli (kumkum)
Turmeric
Fruits and sweets

Once the moon is sighted, the main puja begins with girls lighting lamps.

Looking at the Moon: Girls look at the moon and perform a symbolic gesture of offering water or food.

Worshipping Gauri Devi: Goddess Gauri Devi Puja is done and hymns such as Gauri Devi Stotram, Mangala Gauri Ashtottara Shatanamavali are recited.

Distributing Atlu: This is a significant aspect of the festival. Atlu offered to the Goddess are then distributed among friends and family members. Typically 5 or 11 or 13 Atlu’s are stacked and exchanged among friends or neighbors, symbolizing sharing and sisterhood.

Breaking the Fast: After offering atlu’s to the goddess and receiving blessings, girls break their fast by eating the prepared atlu.

During this time, girls sing the Atla Taddi songs or traditional folk songs passed down through generations, praising the goddess and expressing wishes for a loving husband.

Cultural Significance

One of the most beautiful aspects of Atla Taddi is the bonding it creates among young girls. They visit each other’s homes, share atlu, sing songs together, and bless one another with the traditional phrase: “Atla Taddi atlu mimmalni tala vanchani varu pettukovali”. It means that your “Atlu” should go to the hands of those who do not diminish your honor. The giver and the receiver of the Atlu during this festival should protect each other’s honor. This underlines the importance of family honor and good relations in Telugu culture.