AP: Gangamma Jatara begins in Tirupati

Tirupati, May 9: The week-long 'Gangamma Jatara'(folk festival) began in the temple town in early today.

Being a major folk festival of the region, large groups of Kaikala (weavers community) from Avilala village, the birth place of goddes Gangamma on the outskirts of the town, carrying silk clothes, pasupu (turmeric), kumkum and bangles as gift, walked all the way from the village to the temple here.

The significance of the festival is donning of vesam (disguise) everyday by devotees, like bairagai, banda, thoti, dora and mathangi.

They smear ash, kumkum and paste made out of limestone on their body every day to fulfill their vows. During the festival, devotees use abusive language on passers-by, which is considered to be a blessing.

Large number of people from the town, surrounding villages and people from bordering villages of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, will visit the temple and offer prayers to the goodess during the festival period.

UNI