Sri Shakti Peetham’s pontiff Sri Ramyananda Bharathi Swamini formally offered ‘silk vastram’ to Tallapaka Pedda Gangamma temple and Thathayagunta Chinna Gangamma temple on the occasion of the annual “Gangamma Jatara”, on Monday (May 11, 2026).

The temple’s chairperson Somu Vedavathi Royal formally received the pontiff and guided her entourage into the sanctum sanctorum, where they offered prayers. Sri Shakti Peetham’s pontiff hailed the goddess as the guardian of women.

The Gangamma Jatara is celebrated every year in Tirupati and is regarded as a celebration of feminine power over the patriarchal social setup.

According to the 600-year-old folklore, a local chieftain (palegadu) misbehaved with Gangamma. Taking offence to his behaviour, Gangamma took a vow to kill him. Fearing for his life, the rogue Palegadu went into hiding. To lure him out, Gangamma went to town in different guises and donned unusual attires. When Gangamma arrived dressed up as an attractive damsel on the last day, he came out of hiding, only to be slayed. Hence, stems the practice of devotees roaming around the town in peculiar and flamboyant costumes during the festival.

The ancient tradition honours Gangamma for ending the chieftain’s tyrannical rule and liberating scores of women who had fallen victim to his attempts to outrage their modesty.