Chukkala Amavasya puja is observed on the Amavasya (No moon day) during Ashada masam. In 2009, the date of Chukkala Amavasya is July 22, Wednesday. Chukkala Amavasya is mainly observed in Andhra Pradesh and in some parts of Karnataka.

Chukkala Amavasya – Gauri Pooja Procedure:

Chukkala Amavasya Puja is dedicated to Goddess Gauri. This vratam is observed by women for their marital bliss and for health of and long life of husband. During this festival, women wake up early morning and take ritual bath. After sanctifying the puja room, Gauri puja is performed.

Ganapati puja is done in the beginning and then Gouri puja is started. A small Gauramma idol is made with turmeric and worshipped with Shodashopachar (16 types of puja rituals) and stotras dedicated to Goddess Gowri. The special recipe of Chukkala Amavasya is Kudumulu (dough balls). Kudumulu are offered as naivedyam to the Goddess.

During the Gouri puja, women place sanctified threads in front of Gauramma. Those sanctified threads are tied by vrata performed women to each other after the puja is done. Sanctified threads are called Raksha Kavach (protective armors).

Ashada Amavasya is celebrated as Hariyali Amavas in Gujarat. In other states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, on this Sawan Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated. Fairs are organised in Udaipur, Rajsamand and some more towns of Rajasthan on Hariyali Amavasya. 

Chukkala Amavasya or Ashada Amavasya is observed as Bheemana Amavasya or Jyothi Bheemeshwara Vrata or Pathi Sanjivini Vrata in Karnataka and Gatari Amavasya in Maharashtra. On this day, Deepa Puja is also performed in some regions of India. 

Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara at Secunderabad is the biggest cultural festival in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. In 2010, the date of Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara is August 1, Sunday. Rangam is celebrated on August 2, Monday. This time, in 2010, the temple committee will be making online facilities on the occasion of Ujjaini Bonalu Jathara. You can see and watch Bonalu Jathara held at Secunderabad through online source or medium. Bonalu Jathara is held on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thurdsdays during Ashada masam in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Telangana region.

Ujjaini Mahakali Bonalu Jathara – Biggest Cultural Festival in South India:

During Bonalu Ghatotsavam, Kolupu Potharaju Bali, Rangam and Saganamputa (farewell) are the main events or rituals. Eye catching Potharaju dances, Teen maar beats, and devout women carrying bonalu (sanctified pots) give tremendous impression on colourful cultural feast. People from other states – Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa, and Tamilnadu also participate in the festival. Large number of foreigners gathers during the Bonalu Jathara at Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad.

Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara Utsava committee and the Temple committee have also responded on the facilities they are providing for women who carry Bonalu on their heads. In 2009, some special queues or lines are made for the Bonalu carrying women. They said that it is all set for the regional yet biggest cultural feast for the year 2009.

Ujjaini Mahankali Mata Devasthanam at Secunderabad – Phone Numbers: 040 – 27814744; 040 – 66174744.

Ashada Bonalu Jathara in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh

Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara celebrations at Mahakali Temple in Secunderabad

Popularly known as Gatari, Gatari Amavasya is a ritual or regional festival celebrated in Maharashtra. Gatari Amavas falls on the Ashadh Amavasya (full moon day during Ashadh maas). In 2009, the date of Gatari Amavas is July 22, Wednesday. On this day, Sampoorn Surya Grahan (Total Solar Eclipse) will take place.

Gatari – Regional Festival of Maharashtra:

Gatari is a celebration of joy and happiness. Ashadh Amavas is the last day of Ashad month and next day of it marks the holy Shravan month. To celebrate the day with fun, people of Maharashtra enjoy by eating non-vegetarian food. Gatar means drain or sewage in Marati language.

Gatari marks the farewell of bad food habits and invites the Shravan, the holy month, which will be spent with Ekabukhth and Nakabhukth (Fasting during day or night or taking food for a single time in a day).

Gatari Amavasya is also observed as Bheemana Amavasya in Karnataka and Chukkala Amavasya in Andhra Pradesh. On Ashad Amavasya, Deepa Pooja is observed. This Amavasy is very auspicious for Pithru Tharpan and Pinda Pradhan to ancestors. Jyotir Bheemeshwar Vrata and Pathi Sanjivani Vrata is observed on Bheemana Amavasy day in Karnataka. Telugu people observe Ashada Amavasya as Chukkala Amavasya vratham.

Ashada Amavasya is celebrated as Hariyali Amavas in Gujarat. In other states like Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, on this Sawan Amavasya, Hariyali Amavasya is celebrated. Fairs are organised in Udaipur, Rajsamand and some more towns of Rajasthan on Hariyali Amavasya.

July month (Ashada – Shravan months) in 2009 has a long list of important Hindu festivals and auspicious days. Here is the list:

July 2, Thursday – Bahuda Yatra, the return festival of Puri Jagannath Yatra

July 2, Thursday – Chatur mas vrat starts

July 2, Thursday – Sri Mahalakshmi Vrat begins (Ashada Shukravar Vrata) or Shaaka Vratam

July 3, Friday – Devsayani Ekadasi or Padma Ekadashi or Tholi Ekadashi or Pratham Ekadasi    or Hari Vasara Ekadasi or Shayana Ekadasi or Sayani Ekadasi

July 3, Friday – Gopadma Vrata begins

July 3, Friday – Pandarpur Yatra – Ashadi Ekadasi – Maha Ashadi

July 4, Saturday – Pradosha Puja or Shiva Pradosh Vrata

July 4, Saturday – Shani Triodasi

July 4, Saturday – Vasudev Dwadashi Vrat

July 5, Sunday – Jaya Parvati Vrat Aarambh

July 6, Monday – Kokila Vrat

July 7, Tuesday – Guru Purnima or Vyasa Poornima

July 7, Tuesday – Shiva Sayana Vrat begins or Shiva Dolotsav

July 7, Tuesday – Shravani Mela – Bhaidyanath Shrabani Mela begins at Deoghar Bhaidyanath Dham

July 8, Wednesday – Sawan mahina begins in North India

July 9, Thursday – Jaya Parvati Vrat concludes – Jaya Parvati Jagran

July 11, Saturday – Sankashta Chaturthi Vrat or Sankat har Chaturthi

July 12, Sunday – Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu Jathara in Secunderabad

July 12, Sunday – Nag Panchami in East Indian and some North Indian states

July 12, Sunday – Manasa Devi Ashtanag Puja

July 12, Sunday – Garuda Panchami Puja

July 12, Sunday – Mauna Panchami or Mouna Panchami Vrat in Shraban Mela at Bhaidyanath Temple in Deoghar

July 17, Friday – Karka Sankraman or Dakshinayana day or Kartaka Sankranthi

July 18, Saturday – Kamika Ekadasi

July 18, Saturday – Shraban maas starts as per Bengali Calendar

July 19, Sunday – Pradosha Pooja or Shiva Pradosh Vrat

July 22, Wednesday – Ashad Amavasya or Gatari Amavasya or Chukkala Amvasya

July 22, Wednesday – Deepa Puja or Diya Pooja

July 22, Wednesday – Bheemana Amavasya or Jyothirbheemeshwara Vrata and Pathi Sanjeevini Vratha

July 22, Wednesday – Total Solar Eclipse – Sampurna Surya Grahanam

July 22, Wednesday – Shravan maas begins as per Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars

July 24, Friday –Hariyali Teej or Singhara Teej or Teejan

July 24, Friday – Madhushrava Tritiya or Madhusrava Teej

July 25, Saturday – Nagula Chavithi (not important as Kartik Nag Chaturthi)

July 26, Sunday – Kalki Jayanti – Lord Kalki Avatar Jayanthi

July 26, Sunday – Nag Panchami or Nagula Panchami in South India and in Gujarat, Maharashtra and some other North Indian regions

July 26, Sunday – Garuda Panchami Puja

July 27, Monday – Supaudana Vrat – Supoudan Vrata

July 28, Tuesday – Sant Tulsidas Jayanti or Goswami Tulsi Jayanthi

July 28, Tuesday – Mangala Gauri Vrata or Mangal Gowri Vrat or Shravan Mangalvar Vrat begins in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra calendars

July 31, Friday – Jhulan Yatra or Jhoola Festival

July 31, Friday – Vara lakshmi Vratam – Var Mahalaxmi Vrat

July 31, Friday – Asha Dashami

Jayaparvati Vrat Jagran is the final day ritual during the Jaya Parvati Vrat which is observed in Ashada maas (June – July) by married women. Usually, Jaya Parvati Vrat is observed for five or seven days. On the concluding day of the vrat, devotees perform Jagran, which is called Jaya Parvati Jagran. In 2009, the date of Jaya Parvati Vrat Jagran is July 9, Thursday. In 2009, Jaya Parvati Vrat begins on July 5, Sunday and concludes on July 9, Thursday.

Jaya Parvathi Vrat begins on the Ashada Shukla Paksha Trayodashi and observed for five days. Married women and childless couple observe the Jaya Pavathi Vrat.