Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Maridamma Ammavari Temple (Sri Maridimamba) at Peddapuram, in Kakinada district of Andhra Pradesh, is the shrine of the town's beloved grama devata (village Mother). Devotees across the Godavari region worship Maridamma Talli as the Mother who protects her people from epidemics and calamities. Her Ashada Jatara, celebrated for about five weeks every year, is one of the largest village-goddess festivals of coastal Andhra, drawing lakhs of pilgrims.
Legend and History
According to local tradition, the Goddess manifested in the 17th century near the Manoji pond in Peddapuram. She is said to have appeared as a young girl to cattle herders near the pond, saying she was a daughter of the Chintapalli family, and to have revealed herself in a dream asking for a shrine. When the family searched near the pond, they found a turmeric-smeared stone in which they recognised the Goddess, installed it and began her worship. In the years that followed she came to be revered as the protector of the town against cholera and plague, which once claimed many lives in the region.
Peddapuram itself is a historic town, long the seat of the Vatsavai rulers of the Peddapuram estate, who built the fort here and ruled the region for about three centuries.
The Ashada Jatara
- When: from the Amavasya of Jyeshtha masam to the Amavasya of Ashada masam – about five weeks (usually June–July). Sundays of the Jatara are the busiest days.
- Uyyala (swing): a large ceremonial swing is set up before the festival, using rope contributed by farmers from their fields.
- Offerings: devotees carry kumbham (ritual pots) in decorated carts, in processions with music and dance, to offer to the Mother; food is then shared as prasadam.
- Folk arts: the Jatara is a showcase of Godavari folk culture – garagalu dances, kolatam, stick-play, tiger dances (puli vesham), drums and processions, with programmes held street by street across the town.
- Fair: a large fair with stalls, rides and exhibitions grows around the temple during the festival.
Other Festivals
- Dasara / Devi Navaratri – special alankarams and pujas for the Mother (usually September–October).
Visitor Information
- Timings: usually about 5:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM; hours are extended during the Jatara. Please check locally before visiting.
- Jatara crowds: expect very large crowds on the Sundays of Ashada; traffic in the town is regulated during the festival.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: Peddapuram is on the Samalkot–Rajahmundry road, about 7 km from Samalkot, about 21 km from Kakinada and about 45 km from Rajahmundry; APSRTC buses run frequently.
- By Train: the nearest major station is Samalkot Junction, about 7 km away.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajahmundry Airport, Madhurapudi (RJA), about 47 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
Close by is the Pancharama shrine of Kumararama, Samalkot (about 7 km). Devotees of the Mother also visit the Shakti Peetha of Sri Puruhutika Devi, Pithapuram (about 17 km), and the hill temple of Annavaram is about 48 km away.