Atla Taddi Bhogi - Atla Taddi Vratam – Atla Thadde Gauri Puja

Atla Taddi Bhogi:

Atla Taddi Bhogi is first day of Atla Taddi festival. After Atlataddi Bhogi day, Atla Taddi festival is celebrated. In 2009, Atla Taddi Bhogi date is October 5. It is observed on Ashwayuja Krishna Paksha Vidiya. On this day, Telugu women wake up early morning and take ritual or ceremonial bath. In some places, Gauri Puja is also performed on the day. Gorintaku (Mehndi) designs are drawn on their hands during the day. This is the main ritual on Atla Taddi Bhogi. Thambulam (betel nut leaf) is taken after meals. Preparations for Atla Thaddi are done on Atla Thaddi Bhogi.

Atla Taddi Festival:

Atla Taddi is the festival which falls after Dasara every year. It is the regional festvial of Andhra Pradesh, celebrated by married women as well as unmarried women. Goddess Gauri is worshipped on the day of Atla Taddi. It is celebrated on the third day after Ashwayuja Purnima, the Full Moon day in Ashwayuja masam of Telugu calendar, and falls in October as per Gregorian calendar. Atla Taddi is the festival which falls after Dasara every year. It is the regional festvial of Andhra Pradesh, celebrated by married women as well as unmarried women. Goddess Gauri is worshipped on the day of Atla Taddi. It is celebrated on the third day after Ashwayuja Purnima, the Full Moon day in Ashwayuja masam of Telugu calendar, and falls in October as per Gregorian calendar.

Atla Thaddi Gauri Puja Procedure:

A small idol of Gauri is made with Pasupu (turmeric) and installed in a sacred and sanctified place. The idol is called Gauramma. Gauramma is offered Abhisheka (bath) while reciting the mantras, the performers spill Pasupu (turmeric powder), Kumkuma (crimson powder) and shower flowers. At the end of the puja, 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 theertham and prasadam.

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Kojagari Lakshmi Pooja

Kojagari Lakshmi Pooja is observed on the Full Moon day in the month of Ashwin. Kojagari Lakshmi Puja 2009 date is October 3. It is mainly observed in Eastern Indian states – Bengal, Orissa and Assam and some other parts of Western parts of India. Kojagari Vrat is also observed in Central Indian regions – Budelkhand and some parts of Bihar, especially Darbhanga region.

Significance of Kojagari Lakshmi Pooja:
As per Hindu scriptures and Hindu beliefs, the favorite day for Goddess Laxmi is Poornima. Devotees believe that on the day of Purnima, Goddess Lakshmi visits their houses and blesses them with wealth, health and prosperity. Ashwin purnima, also called as Sharad Purnima, is more auspicious because Ashwin is the favorite month for Goddess Lakshmi.

Procedure of Kojagiri Lakshmi Puja:

On the day of Kojagari Lakshmi Pooja, devotees install clay idols of Goddess Laxmi in their houses and worship her. The main ritual or tradition is drawing of Alpana. Alpona patterns or designs refer Goddess Laxmi’s feet. Shodashopachar Puja (16 steps of puja) is performed to Lakshmi. Some special recipes or sweets are made on the day of Kojagiri Lakshmi puja and offered to Goddess laxmi.
The procedure and the other steps of the Kojagiri Lakshmi pooja may differ from place to place and community to community. In some temples or in spiritual or devotional organizations, Sarvajanik Lakshmi pooja is done on Kajagiri Poornima day.
Kojagari Lakshmi Vrat coincides with harvest festival called ‘Navanna’. Navanna is the day from when new grain or paddy of the harvest season is generally consumed.
Alpana or Alpona are Rangoli designs or patterns specially drawn in Bengal, Orissa and some other regions of Eastern parts of India.
In Gujarat, Maharashtra and some other parts of India Kojagari Purnima is observed as Sharad Purnima vrat. Kaumudi Utsav is also observed on Sharad Purnima. Kaumudi is the Moon God who is also referred as the brother of Goddess Lakshmi.

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