Atla Tadde (Andhra Pradesh) 2026

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Married Women: Married women observe this fast for the long life and wellbeing of their husbands and the happiness of their families.
• Unmarried Girls: Young girls observe this vrat to seek the blessings of Goddess Gauri for a good and loving husband (Sumangali Bhagya).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Meal: A light meal with curd rice and gongura is eaten in the early hours before sunrise, before the fast begins.
• Gauri Puja: The puja is done in the evening before the Moon rises, in Pradosh Kaal (the period after sunset). Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Moon Sighting (Chandra Darshan): Look at the Moon and offer a prayer only after it has risen in your city; moonrise differs from city to city, so check the moonrise time for your city on this page.
• Breaking the Fast: After the Moon is sighted and the puja is done, by eating the Atlu.

About the Festival

Atla Tadde is a much-loved festival of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, in which women fast and worship Goddess Gauri. It takes place on the Tritiya (third day) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Ashwin.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Princess and the False Moon)

Once upon a time, there lived a princess who was dearly loved by her brothers. She observed the Atla Tadde fast, going without food and water all day, and waited for the Moon to rise so that she could break her fast. As the evening wore on, she grew weak and tired from hunger.

Unable to bear her suffering, her brothers tied a mirror to a stick and held it high before a fire, so that it looked like the rising Moon. They woke their sister and showed her the false Moon, and she broke her fast believing the Moon had risen. Because the vrat had not been completed properly, marriage proposals came to her only from unsuitable matches.

Distressed, the princess prayed to Goddess Gauri. Moved by her devotion, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati appeared before her and advised: "Observe the Atla Tadde fast again, this time with full faith. Fast until the true Moon has risen, worship Gauri Devi, and then break your fast."

The princess followed the advice wholeheartedly and kept the fast properly. Pleased with her devotion, the Goddess blessed her, and she was married to a worthy and loving prince. Since that day, women observe the Atla Tadde fast, worship Goddess Gauri, and eat only after sighting the Moon, for an auspicious married life and a loving family.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the evening puja:

• Image / Idol: Picture or idol of Goddess Gauri
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Turmeric, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee or oil and cotton wick
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Atlu (a dosa-like crepe made of rice and urad dal), fruits, and sweets
• Flowers & Leaves: Fresh flowers and a garland for the Goddess
• Devotional Accessories: A Kalash with water, sacred thread (Toranam), bangles, and betel leaves with nuts (Tambulam)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early before sunrise, eat a light meal of curd rice with gongura, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Divine Mother Gauri, today I observe this fast with faith. Bless my family with health, happiness, and a long, prosperous married life."
3. Observe the fast throughout the day. Traditional practice involves fasting until the Moon is sighted in the evening.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Late Afternoon)

1. Clean the northeastern corner (Ishan Kone) of your home or the place of worship.
2. Place the picture or idol of Gauri Devi on a wooden stool (Chowki) covered with a clean cloth.
3. Place a Kalash filled with water near the Goddess and decorate the altar with flowers and mango leaves.

Step 3: Performing the Evening Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Diya and place it before Goddess Gauri.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Turmeric, Kumkum, and Akshat to the Goddess.
3. Offering Flowers & Threads: Offer fresh flowers and tie a thread around your wrist or the Kalash.
4. Offering Naivedya: Place a set of Atlu and fruits before the Goddess.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Atla Tadde Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After completing the story, offer the grains and petals at the feet of the Goddess.

Step 5: Aarti and Moon Sighting

1. Perform the Gauri Aarti using the lit lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. In the late evening, once the Moon rises, step outside and look at it with respect.
3. Offer a prayer to the Moon and to the Goddess, asking for the wellbeing of your family.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Give Atlu, fruits, and Tambulam to married women (Vayanam) and share the prasad with your family.
3. Break your fast by eating Atlu and a simple meal.