Tirupati Ganga Jatara

Last updated

Tirupati Ganga Jatara
Observed by Hindus in Tirupati district and surrounding areas
Type Hindu, cultural
CelebrationsVeshas, Animal sacrifices, offering Pongal, Ambali, Sarees, Sapparalu
BeginsFirst Tuesday of Vaisaka masam
EndsSecond Tuesday of Vaisaka masam
DateVaries per Hindu Lunisolar calendar
Tirupati Ganga Jatara
Tirupati gangamma Temple.jpg
Tirupati gangamma Temple during fifth day of annual Tirupati gangamma jatara
Religion
Affiliation Hinduism
District Tirupati
Deity Gangamma
Location
LocationTATA Nagar,Tirupati
StateFlag placeholder.svg Andhra Pradesh
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
Geographic coordinates 13°39′N79°25′E / 13.65°N 79.42°E / 13.65; 79.42

Tirupati Gangamma Jatara is the annual folk festival of Tirupati, India. [1] It is a week long event which falls between the first and second weeks of May every year. This festival is to offer prayers to the Goddess Gangamma, the Gramadevata (the goddess protecting the region) of Tirupati. The Goddess Gangamma is considered the sister of God Venkateshwara Balaji, the presiding deity of the Venkateshwara Temple, located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.

Contents

This folk festival is celebrated grandly at the Tirupati city famous temple of Goddess Gangamma (sister of lord Venkateshwara) called Tataiahgunta Gangamma Temple located on the east side of Tirupati city .

Legend

Sri Tataiahgunta Gangamma is Grama Devatha of Tirupati city. Once upon a time when Tirupati and surrounding areas were ruled by Palegondulu, harassment of women was enormous – they used to rape and harass any woman seen. During this time, in a village "Avilala", the Goddess Gangamma was born and grew into a beautiful woman. When the Palegondulu wanted to harm Goddess Gangamma, she with her grace and power was about to kill him. Palegondulu, fearing her, hid in a remote place.

To take him out of hiding, the Gangamma planned "Ganga Jathara" 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 was killed by Goddess Gangamma for the LokaKalyanam (well being of all people).

About

Ganga Jatara, the folk festival of Tirupati, begins with the formal Chatimpu (announcement) around midnight of Tuesday. The Gangamma Jatara is held by the Theallaya Mirasi Achari family – Eepur Achari and Kasi Achari take charge of Jatara festival and make all arrangements.

The Gangamma Jatara is a very famous local festival for the people of Tirupati. It is done every year in May. As the Gangamma temple was in the banks of Thathaya gunta, the temple is famously known as "Tataiahgunta Gangamma Temple".

Priests performed the initiatory rituals and tied `Vadibalu' to the `Viswaroopa Sthambam' in front of the temple, that set the stage for the fete. Men making the Chatimpu roam through the old town beating dappus to announce that the festival has begun and hence the residents should not leave the town till the festival is over.

Priests make the traditional huge clay idol of the goddess at the temple's portico. Everyone during the festival comes and prays to the goddess to offer her pongal, sarees, turmeric and kumkum, etc.

During the last day of festival, the portico will be smashed it into pieces at the auspicious moment. Devotees then clamour around to get the clay smithereens, which they consider as sacred, to be either preserved in the ‘Puja' room or consumed by mixing it in water. Though there is a ban on animal sacrifice, goats and fowls were chopped at will at a corner of the temple.

This festival is being celebrated on 13, 14 and 15 May every year, in most of the areas in undivided chittoor district (like Tirupati, Chittoor and Palamaner etc.), Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Festival

Day 0: Chatimpu

The Jatara (Folk Festival) officially begins with Chatimpu (official announcement) during midnight of 2nd Tuesday of the month of May. Traditionally town folk stay away from streets during Chatimpu. This announcement is carried out by playing musical instruments known as Dappu.

Day 1: Bhairagi Vesham

The day after chatimpu is Bhairagi Vesham. On this day, (Wednesday) people used to smear their body with white color paste (Namam Kommu) and wear a garland made of "Rella kaya" (fruit). They will hold neem leaves with the hand and also tie their waist with neem leaves. Devotees will walk to the temple through the city and will leave those neem leaves and Rella Kaya graland there at the temple after the darshan of the Goddess. Devotees will do such procession on each day for the rest of the festival duration.

Day 2: Banda Vesham

On this day devotees used to smear their body with kumkum color paste and ties a ribbon to the head.

Day 3: Thoti Vesham

On this day devotees used to smear their body with charcoal and wears a garland made out of neem leaves.

Day 4: Dora vesham

On this day devotees used to smear their body with sandal paste (Chandanam) and wears a garland made out of neem leaves and lemons.

Day 5: Mathangi Vesham

Gangamma who killed Palegadu in Dhora Vesham, consoled Chieftain's wife in Mathangi Vesham.

Day 6: Sunnapu kundalu

On the sixth day of the festival, the devotees anoint their body with white paste and apply dots with charcoal. And carries a pot (Veyyi kalla Dutta) on their head. Upon reaching the temple the devotees goes around the temple three times carrying the pot on their head. Leaves the pot there in the temple after the 3rd round and go for the goddess Darshan.

Day 7: Gangamma Jatara

The last day of the festival is celebrated as Ganga Jatara. During this day, all Gangamma temples in Tirupati are flocked with lakhs of devotees. People used to visit the temple and offer "pongallu" and/or Sarees to Gangamma. Few Devotees used to have darshan of Gangamma by wearing "Sapparalu" (A special gopuram like object made of bamboo) along with "Dappu Vaidyam" (A musical instrument). "Ragi Ambali" is served to the devotees visiting temples all over the city.

After midnight, a clay idol of Gangamma (Viswaroopam) is installed in front of the Temple. A guy will dress up like "Perantallu" and will remove the chempa (cheek) of viswaroopam which is referred to as "Chempa Tholagimpu". The clay is later distributed to the Devotees who are believed to have curing powers. By this event the entire seven-day Jatara will come to an end.

Offerings

Animals

Devotees offer the goddess goats and hens.

Pongal

Women prepare pongal (a dish prepared with rice, mung beans and sugar) in the temple and offer it to the goddess.

Walking on knees

Similarly, there is another practice for women to come on their knees from their homes to the temple. First, they roll a coconut on the road and then walk on their knees up to the point, pick up the coconut and roll it again. These practices bear testimony to the strong faith the native residents of Tirupati have in the goddess.

Drinks

‘Ragi Ambali', a drink made of ragi, curd and rice, is offered to the goddess and is then distributed to the devotees. [2]

In the movie Pushpa 2: The Rule hero Allu Arjun dresses in Mathangi Vesham. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkateswara</span> Form of the Hindu deity Vishnu

Venkateswara, Venkatachalapati, Balaji, or Srinivasa, is a form of the Hindu deity Vishnu and is the presiding deity of the Venkateshwara Temple, located in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Venkateshwara is also known by various other names. The deity is worshiped by North Indians by the name 'Balaji'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirumala</span> Temple town in Andhra Pradesh

Tirumala is a spiritual place in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is one of the neighbourhoods of the Tirupati city. The town is a part of Tirupati Urban Development Authority and located in Tirupati (urban) mandal of Tirupati revenue division. It is a hill town where Tirumala Venkateswara Temple is located, a popular shrine of Vishnu. The town is strictly vegetarian.

Kuppam is a City in Chittoor district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located 115.8 kilometers south-east of Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, and 243 kilometers west of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is the headquarters of Kuppam mandal in the Kuppam Revenue Division. The name "Kuppam" means a meeting place or confluence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tirupati</span> City in Andhra Pradesh, India

Tirupati is a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of the Tirupati district. The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple and other historic temples. It is located at a distance of 150 km from Chennai, 250 km from Bangalore, 406 km from Amaravati. It is one of the eight Svayam vyakta kshetras dedicated to Vishnu. Tirupati is a municipal corporation and the headquarters of Tirupati (urban) mandal, Tirupati (rural) mandal, and the Tirupati revenue division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devi Kanya Kumari</span> Hindu goddess

Devi Kanya Kumari is a manifestation of the Hindu goddess Mahadevi in the form of an adolescent girl. She is variously described by various traditions of Hinduism to either be a form of Parvati or Lakshmi. She is also worshipped as an incarnation of the goddess Bhadrakali by Shaktas, and is known by several names such as Shrī Bāla Bhadra, Shrī Bāla, Kanya Devi, and Devi Kumari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonalu</span> Annual Hindu festival

Bonalu( Telugu: బోనాలు) is a traditional Hindu festival centered on the Goddess Mahakali from Telangana. This festival is celebrated annually in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, as well as in other parts of the state. It is celebrated in the month of Ashada Masam, which is around July and/or August. Special "poojas" are performed for Yellamma on the first and last day of the festival. The festival is also considered a thanksgiving to the Goddess for fulfillment of vows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala</span> Hindu temple in Andhra Pradesh, India

The Sri Venkateswara Swami Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hills of Tirumala at Tirupati in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared on the earth to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. Hence the place is also known by the name Kaliyuga Vaikuntha and the deity here is referred to as Kaliyuga Prathyaksha Daivam. The temple is also known by other names like Tirumala Temple, Tirupati Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple. Venkateswara is known by many other names: Balaji, Govinda, and Srinivasa. The temple is run by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which is under control of Andhra Pradesh Government. The head of TTD is appointed by Andhra Pradesh Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Village deities of South India</span>

The village deities of Southern India are the numerous spirits and other beings venerated as part of the Dravidian folk tradition in villages throughout South India. These deities, mainly goddesses, are intimately associated with the well-being of the village, and can have either benevolent or violent tendencies. These deities are presently in various stages of syncretism or assimilation with mainstream Hindu traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bathukamma</span> Flower festival in India

Bathukamma is a Hindu flower-festival celebrated by the women of Telangana and some parts of Andhra Pradesh. Every year this festival is celebrated as per the Sathavahana calendar for nine days starting on Pitru Amavasya, which usually coincides with the months September–October of the Gregorian calendar. Bathukamma is celebrated for nine days and corresponds to the festivals of Sharad Navratri and Durga Puja. It starts on the day of Mahalaya Amavasya and the 9-day festivities will culminate on "Saddula Bathukamma" or "Pedda Bathukamma." Bathukamma is followed by Boddemma, which is a 7-day festival. The Boddemma festival that marks the ending of Varsha Ruthu whereas Bathukamma marks the beginning of Sarad or Sharath Ruthu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammakka Saralamma Jatara</span> Festival to honour the Hindu tribal goddesses, celebrated in the state of Telangana, India

Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is a festival to honour the Hindu Tribal goddesses, celebrated in the state of Telangana, India. This Jatara is known for witnessing one of the largest human gatherings in the world. People offer Bellam (jaggery), locally called as Bangaram, to the deities. The Jatara begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandala in Mulugu district. The rituals related to the Goddesses are entirely performed by the Koya Tribe priests, in accordance with Koya customs and traditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmi Puja</span> Deepavali occasion dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi


Lakshmi Puja is a Hindu occasion for the veneration of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and the supreme goddess of Vaishnavism. The occasion is celebrated on the amavasya in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Ashwayuja or Kartika, on the third day of Deepavali (Tihar) in most part of India and Nepal. In Assam, Bengal, and Odisha, this puja is celebrated five days after Vijaya Dashami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karakattam</span> Type of dance

Karakattam, or Karagam Puja in the Caribbean, is an ancient folk dance of Tamil Nadu performed in praise of the rain goddess Mariamman. The ancient Tamil epic says that this type of dance derived from Bharatham and a mixture of multiple forms of Tamil dance forms like Bharatanatyam postures and mudras. The offering of this dance is to the goddess to bless rain. The dance accompanies songs like folk Carnatic (Amrithavarshini).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gundicha Temple</span> Hindu temple in Puri, Odisha, India

Gundicha Temple, is a Hindu temple, situated in the temple town of Puri in the state of Odisha, India. It is significant for being the destination of the celebrated annual Rath Yatra of Puri. While it remains vacant most of the year, the temple is occupied by images of the deities of Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra for seven complete days every year during the annual Rath Yatra festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bannari Mariamman Temple</span> Hindu temple in Tamil Nadu, India

Arulmigu Sri Bannari Mariamman Temple is an Amman temple in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is located near Sathyamangalam, Erode district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worship in Hinduism</span> Act of religious devotion usually directed to one or more Hindu deities

Worship in Hinduism is an act of religious devotion usually directed to one or more Hindu deities, invoking a sense of Bhakti or devotional love. This term is probably a central one in Hinduism, but a direct translation from the Sanskrit to English is difficult. Worship in Hinduism takes many forms, and its expression vary depending on geographical, linguistic, and cultural factors. Hindu worship is not limited to a particular place and Hindus perform worship in temples and within the home. It often incorporates personal reflection, music, dance, poetry, rituals, and ceremonies. Worship in Hinduism serves various purposes, including seeking blessings, guidance, or specific outcomes, as well as fostering a sense of inner peace and spiritual growth. It can also be an expression of devotion (bhakti) to the deity. The aim is to lead a pure life in order to progress spiritually and eventually attain liberation (moksha) from the cycle of rebirth.

The temple of Shree Balaji Mandir is located at Charkop, Kandivali (West). It is claimed to be the second home place of lord venkateshwara after Tirupati Temple.

Gangamma Jatara or Jathra is a folk festival celebrated in several places across Southern India; including Karnataka, Rayalaseema, Coastal Andhra and Uttarandhra regions in Andhra Pradesh. It is celebrated for eight days.

Venkateswara Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to be appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. The temple is situated at a height of 853 meters on Tirumala Hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills and is constructed in Dravidian Architectural Style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chikka Tirupati</span> Hindu temple near Bengaluru, India

Chikka Tirupati is a Hindu temple dedicated to Venkateshwara, the Hindu god Vishnu. It is located in Chikka Tirupathi Hobli of Malur Taluk, in the outskirts of Bengaluru in the South Indian state of Karnataka. Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple is considered similar to the Tirupathi Venkateswara temple. Vishnu is worshipped as Venkateshwara and his consort Lakshmi as Alamelumangamma. Chikkathirupathy is 15 km (9.3 mi) from taluk headquarters Malur, 26 km (16 mi) from ITPL and 30 km (19 mi) from Koramangala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sri Gangamma Devi Temple</span> Hindu temple in Karnataka, India

Sri Gangamma Devi Temple is located near the Kadu Malleshwara temple on 2nd Temple Street, Malleshwara layout, in the north-western area of Bangalore city.

References

  1. Rangarajan, A.D. (7 May 2015). "'Ganga Jatara' off to a colourful start". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  2. "'Gangamma jatara' draws crowds". The Hindu. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  3. "Decoding Allu Arjun's androgynous jatara look in Pushpa 2 The Rule teaser". Hindustan Times. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.