Thadiya Nomu / Gauri Thadiya Puja / Gauri Thadiya Vratham.

According to Telugu Lunar Calendar, today is Shukla Paksha Thadiya of Bhadrapada Masam which means it is the third day of the first half (waxing Moon phase) of the month called Bhadrapadam. It is the day of Thadiya Nomu, a tradition running in our family for generations. Thadiya Nomu is a Puja dedicated to Goddess Gauri and it is performed by my wife as taught to her by my mother.  It is performed for Sowbhagyam, which is for the health, longevity, happiness and prosperity of the husband and the family. This tradition is thus carried on with great devotion by mother-in-law and daughters-in-law of every generation. 

There are a number of steps/rituals involved in Thadiya Nomu Puja. The preparatory works start a day before, Uttareni leaves, a variety of flowers and fruits are procured, and the thread rolls required for Kankanam are meticulously prepared along with various other chores. 16 is a significant number for the Puja. All offerings to the Goddess like Kudumulu are in quantities of 16. An image of Goddess Gauri is made using Turmeric paste and placed on a bunch of 16 Uttareni leaves and the Puja is carried out. The entire Puja procedure is an elaborate one. I am called towards the end of the Puja to seek the blessings of the Goddess and then tie a Kankanam onto my wife’s right-hand wrist and another one onto her neck as a chain and then bless her. The Kankanam of the right hand is prepared by rolling 16 Uttareni leaves and tied with 16 strands of thread and the one on to the neck is with 5 Uttareni leaves and 16 strands of thread, 16 knots are put at equal distance along the length of these two bands and they are coated with turmeric paste. These are just a few of the many procedures to be followed. The reason why I have gone into some specific details is to emphasize the importance the ladies give to Thadiya Gauri Nomu by remembering all the minute details required for the Puja. I have neither seen my mother nor my wife writing down the procedure or making a checklist for the Puja. It is the devotion and faith in the Goddess, who is taking care of them; that makes them remember every minute detail, every year!