Tirupati Ganga Jatara

The Ganga Jatara is one of the most important festival that attracts many pilgrims. The goddess is known as Gangamma the Gramadevata of the village.This Jatara is celebrated usually on the  2nd Tuesday of May.

This temple is found on the river banks of Thathaya Gunta, therefore the Gangamma temple in the Tirupati town is also known as Thathaya Gunta Gangamma temple.

 Once upon a time when Tirupati and surrounding areas are ruled by “Palegondulu”, harassment on women was enormous - they use to rape and harass any woman seen. During this time, in a village “Avilala”, the Goddess Gangamma was born and grew into a most beautiful women. When the Palegondulu want harm Goddess Gangamma, she with her grace and power tried to kill him. Palegondulu, fearing her, hid in a remote place. To take him out of hiding, the Gangamma planned “Ganga Jathra” where the people in Tirupathi do vichitra veshadarana and curse Gangamma for a period of 7 days. On the seventh day, the“Palegondulu” comes out of hiding and is killed by Goddess Gangamma for the “LokaKalyanam” .

At midnight of the 2nd Tuesday every year, during the month of May, commencement of the festival is announced. This announcement is usually made by menfolk who go around the town beating their musical instrument known as Thappu. The usual ritual is such that a clay idol of the Gangamma goddess is usually built in the porch of the main temple. All through the seven days, devotees offer flowers and other sacred things like sandal, turmeric, Kumkum, saris and Pongal. On the seventh day of the festival, the clay idol is smashed and broken into innumerable pieces. As this clay idol is considered to be very sacred, once the idol is smashed, lots of devotees flock to the place to collect the pieces to be kept at their homes. Some of them take these pieces, mix it in water and consume the water.

Jatara dates 2014 :

Gangamma Jatara begins on 8th May and Concludes on 15th May.