Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
The Sri Poleramma Ammavari Temple at Venkatagiri, in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh, is the shrine of the Mother whose annual Poleramma Jatara is one of the most remarkable folk festivals of South India. Poleramma is a grama devata worshipped across the villages of Andhra Pradesh as the Mother who protects her people from epidemics such as plague, cholera and smallpox. At Venkatagiri her festival is closely bound up with the town's royal heritage, and it has been recognised as an Andhra Pradesh State Festival.
History
Venkatagiri was long the seat of the Venkatagiri Rajas, and the Jatara grew up under their patronage – records show it being celebrated in the early 18th century. The town's original village deity is Kalimelamma, from whom the old name of the town, Kalimili, is said to come. Poleramma rose to special prominence in the early 20th century, when a severe cholera epidemic struck the region and, according to local belief, the Mother protected the people. The Rajas performed a cooling ritual (seethala yagam) and installed protective yantras, inscribed on copper plates, at the four corners of the town. Local tradition also holds that in the old days Poleramma herself would come and speak with the Rajas during the festival. Later, the royal family handed the temple and its jewellery to the Endowments Department, but the festival rituals still begin from the Venkatagiri palace.
The Poleramma Jatara
- When: in the third week after Vinayaka Chavithi – the main days are the third Wednesday and Thursday after the festival (usually September).
- Chatimpu: the Jatara is announced by the beating of drums (chatimpu) on the first, second and third Wednesdays after Vinayaka Chavithi. From the announcement until the end of the Jatara, local families traditionally avoid holding auspicious functions such as weddings.
- A new image every year: the Goddess is freshly shaped in clay by potters of the Kummari community, at a house on Kummari Street regarded as her puttinillu (mother's home), on the Wednesday night – without decoration and without her eyes.
- To the mettinillu: late at night, the image is carried in procession to her mettinillu (in-laws' home) on Jeenigalavari Street; only there are her eyes ceremonially opened.
- Darshan and farewell: on Thursday the Goddess is installed outside the temple, where lakhs of devotees offer prayers. In the evening she is taken in a grand procession through the streets of Venkatagiri and immersed in the Kaivalya river.
- Pilgrims: more than five lakh devotees come from across Andhra Pradesh and from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Other Festivals
- Dasara / Devi Navaratri – worship of the Mother during the nine nights (usually September–October).
Visitor Information
- Timings: official timings are not published; the temple is usually open for a few hours in the morning and evening. Please check locally before visiting.
- Jatara days: the town is extremely crowded on the Jatara Thursday, with traffic restrictions and police arrangements; plan to walk.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: Venkatagiri is about 55 km from Tirupati, about 36 km from Srikalahasti and about 80 km from Nellore; APSRTC buses connect it with all these towns.
- By Train: Venkatagiri railway station, on the Gudur–Renigunta line, is about 3 km from the town centre.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Tirupati Airport, Renigunta (TIR), about 42 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
Pilgrims to Venkatagiri often also visit Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple, Srikalahasti (about 36 km). In Tirupati, the folk Mother of the town is honoured at the Sri Tatayyagunta Gangamma Temple, whose Gangamma Jatara is another great festival of a village Goddess, and close by is Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple, Tiruchanur.