News Excerpt:
The centuries-old annual folk festival of Tirupati, Ganga Jatara, is celebrated amidst elections.
About the festival:
- Ganga Jatara is an annual folk festival observed in southern India, including Karnataka, Rayalaseema, and Andhra Pradesh.
- The festival is dedicated to Sri Thathaya Gunta Gangamma, the Gramadevata (village goddess) of Tirupati, who is regarded as the younger sister of Lord Venkateswara. .
- It commences with Chatimpu, the official announcement, occurring at midnight on the second Tuesday of May, accompanied by the playing of musical instruments called Dappu.
- Origin: The festival has its origins in ancient times, established to commemorate the heroic feat of Gangamma, who vanquished a local chieftain known for his atrocities against the dignity of women.
- Purpose: The folk festival is organized with the purpose of appeasing the 'Grama Devatha' or village deity. It spans seven days and involves devotees wearing different costumes, applying colors to their bodies, and participating in processions along the streets near the temple.
- Rituals of the festival: During the festivities of Gangamma Jatara, participants engage in unique rituals:
- People wear Vichitra Vesha Dharana attire and symbolically curse Goddess Gangamma for seven consecutive days.
- The culminating day, known as Ganga Jatara, witnesses a massive influx of devotees to Gangamma temples in Tirupati.
- Devotees traditionally offer Pongallu (a dish made of rice and lentils) and/or sarees to Gangamma.
- Some devotees opt for darshan of Gangamma while adorned with Sapparalu (special bamboo structures resembling temple gopurams) and accompanied by Dappu Vaidyam (a musical instrument).
- Ragi Ambali, a traditional porridge-like dish made from finger millet, is served to devotees visiting temples throughout the city.
- After midnight, a clay idol of Gangamma (Viswaroopam) is installed outside the temple, followed by the ceremonial smashing of the portico.
- Devotees eagerly collect the clay fragments, believed to possess healing properties, for preservation in their Puja rooms or consumption by mixing them with water.
- Fishermen in the Andhra region also celebrate Gangamma Jatara before commencing their fishing activities.
- The festival concludes after the seventh-day Jatara event.
