Lakhs gather for Suguturu Gangamma jatara in Punganur

More than two lakh devotees from across the southern States converged at Punganur town in Annamayya district to take part in the two-day annual Suguturu Gangamma jatara, which concluded on Wednesday amid fervent celebrations.

The festival, which falls between Holi and Ugadi, attracted devotees from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Maharashtra. The jatara continues to enjoy the patronage of the descendants of the erstwhile Punganur zamindars, many of whom travelled from different parts of the country to participate in the festivities and contribute to its organisation.

Hundreds of families linked to the former zamindari lineage arrived in the town on invitations from their relatives, turning the event into a major annual congregation. Officials from the municipal administration, police, revenue department and Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited made elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations.

Descendants of the zamindari family, Somashekar Chikkarayalu and Mallikarjuna Chikkarayalu, along with other local leaders, performed special pujas to the presiding deity at the Gangamma temple located inside the historic Zamindar Palace. The entire town was illuminated with traditional decorative displays. A unique feature of the festival is that the deity inside the palace is opened for public darshan only once a year during the jatara and remains closed to devotees for the rest of the year.

According to historical accounts, the Punganur zamindars migrated in the late 15th century from Suguturu in the Kolar region of Karnataka and worshipped Goddess Gangamma as their family deity. Devotees fulfilled their vows by carrying traditional Gerigalu vessels and offering prayers during the procession. The event also witnessed large-scale animal sacrifices, though public display of the rituals was not permitted.