Introduction

7 Ganga Ammala Jatara (ఏడు గంగమ్మల జాతర) is one of the most famous and important folk festivals of Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh.

This annual jatra is deeply rooted in local tradition and is celebrated with great devotion by the people of Srikalahasti and nearby villages.

The festival is dedicated to the Seven Forms of Goddess Gangamma, collectively worshipped as Sapta Gangammalu, who are believed to protect the town and bless devotees with health, prosperity, and peace.

Religious & Cultural Significance

The 7 Ganga Ammala Jatara represents the folk religious heritage of Srikalahasti, complementing the spiritual importance of the famous Sri Kalahasteeswara Swamy Temple.

According to local belief:

• The Seven Gangammas protect the town from epidemics, natural disasters, and negative energies
• Worship during the jatra brings family wellbeing, fertility, business growth, and prosperity
• The festival strengthens community unity and traditional values

Join instagram for more information

About the Seven Gangammas

The Seven Gangammas are worshipped as powerful village deities (Grama Devathalu). Though names and forms may vary according to local tradition, they are collectively revered as protective mother goddesses who watch over Srikalahasti.

Devotees offer prayers seeking:

• Good health
• Protection from diseases
• Family harmony
• Fulfillment of vows (moksham)

---

Historical

The worship of Gangamma is part of ancient South Indian folk traditions. In Srikalahasti, the belief in Seven Gangammas developed as a form of collective protection for the town.

According to local tradition:

• Each Gangamma represents a form of Shakti (divine feminine power)
• The seven goddesses together guard the town from all directions
• The jatra has been celebrated for many generations, passed down through oral traditions

 

 SRIKALAHASTI 7 GANGAMMALA NAMES

The Seven Gangamma’s Detail’s & Locations:

• Ponnalammamma: Located at Ponnalammapuram.
• Ankammathalli: Sits in Gandhi Veedhi.
• Bhuvaneshwari: Found at Kotha Peta.
• Nallagamma: Resides in the Brahmin Veedhi area.
• Moolasthana Ellamma: Located at the Santham Maidan.
• Mutyalamma: Found near the Beri Vari Mandapam.
• Ankamma (or Ankalamma): Located in Sannidhi Veedhi. 

About the Festival:
This annual festival involves massive processions of these seven goddesses (Gangamalas), with devotees carrying idols and celebrating the divine energy of Gangamma, especially significant in the temple town known for Lord Shiva. It’s a major display of local faith and tradition, featuring sacred rituals, music, and chants of Gangamma’s name, making the entire town vibrate with devotion. 

Processions (Uregimpu)

• Decorated forms or symbols of the Seven Gangammas are taken in procession through the streets
• Devotees walk along with the procession
• Traditional drums and music are played
• Streets are filled with chants and devotional atmosphere

Final Process: On the concluding night (usually a Tuesday or Wednesday following the start of the festival in December), the seven Gangamma idols—representing the goddesses from different areas of the town—are brought together for a grand final procession.

Idol Immersion (Nimarjanam): Late at night or in the early hours of the morning, the clay (matti) or turmeric (pasupu) idols are taken to the Swarnamukhi River or designated local water bodies for ritual immersion.

Breaking the “Drishti”: A significant ritual involves the breaking of ash gourds (Gummadikaya) and coconuts at various junctions to ward off evil eyes from the town. Devotees often engage in rhythmic chanting and drumming (Pambala music) during this phase.

Return of the “Sare”: The traditional gifts (Sare) that were brought from the Srikalahasti Temple to the goddesses are formally offered, and the priest-representatives perform the final Harathi before the deities are dissolved