Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Temple, Andhra Pradesh

The Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Temple is near Diguvapalli in the Andhra Pradesh district of Choudepally Mandal. Boyakonda Gangamma is a famous temple on a hill in this state. Every day, thousands of people go to see Gangamma, the temple’s main deity.

People also worship the Goddess in the nearby states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The Boyakonda Gangamma Temple is on a beautiful hilltop in a quiet area.

About Boyakonda Gangamma Temple

The most famous and powerful Shakti Temple is the Boyakonda Gangamma Temple. Gangamma is one of the most important goddesses in Tirupati. She is the sister of Lord Venkateswara Swamy. Gangamma’s followers are sure she will protect them, and this temple was built to honour her victory over the Navab’s Army. Every day, thousands of pilgrims go to the Boyakonda Gangamma Temple. This temple is the most well-known hill shrine in the district of Chittoor.

Gangamma is a form of the goddess “Shakti.” People believe they can see if their wishes will come true by putting a flower on the deity’s head. The wish will come true if the flower falls on the right side. The wish will not come true if it falls on the left side. People who prayed to the Goddess and asked for children were often given them. At the top of the hill is a huge well called a “pushkarini.” The water in this well is said to cure many diseases, and farmers sprinkle it on their fields before planting seeds to ensure they grow well.

Temple History

Approximately two centuries ago, Boyas and Yelikas, who hunted birds, resided in the forest surrounding the hillock. They rose and resented the autocratic and oppressive authority of the nawabs. They took vengeance on the Muslim warriors and pursued them. The then-Nawab of Golconda dispatched extra troops to suppress the rebellion.

Boya tribal members were unable to withstand the assault of the Muslim army, so they fled into the forest, fell to their knees near the hilltop, and prayed to God to save them. Gangamma is the embodiment of the Goddess Shakti. The goddess ‘Shakti’ spirit descended from the knoll and protected the tribesmen while destroying Nawab’s troops. Locals claim that the ‘Shakti’ has bound soldiers’ heads to the branches of banyan trees. Locals think sprinkling the ‘Pushkarini’ water on their fields will result in a prosperous harvest. By placing a flower on the deity’s head, devotees can determine if their request will be granted. Locals believe that if a flower falls on the right side, it is fortunate, and if it falls on the left, it is unfortunate. Numerous believers who prayed to the Goddess were granted, children.

The Endowments Department took over the Gangamma temple in 1990. Since then, an executive officer has overseen the temple’s administration, attempts have been made to improve the temple, and amenities for worshippers have been established.

Temple Legend

The Purana says that the Sri Gangamma Temple is a shrine to Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Lord’s sister. Sri Gangamma Devi is now seen as the protector of her followers and the one who gets rid of those who leave.

A few hundred years ago, two tribes called the Boyas, and the Yelikas lived in the forest around the hill. Gangamma Devi was seen as her main God, and people prayed to her for good crops and long life. But the Navab Invasion from the North disrupted the peaceful time. The two tribes had joined together to repel the attackers.

The king of the Nawabs was afraid of a huge uprising, so he pulled back his main army to crush the Boyas and Yelikas. The massive trained and a groomed army of Nawabs was not enough for tribal solidarity. Both the tribes withdrew into the Temple of Sri Gangamma, praying for Devi’s support and direction.

People think that Goddess Sakthi turned into a person to kill the soldiers of the Navab when they attacked. Legends say that Devi’s anger didn’t stop until the heads of the Navab soldiers who tried to hurt her followers were cut off.

Significance of Temple

As the name says, this is a temple for Devi. Purana says that Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Devi is the sister of Sri Venkateswara Swamy. This makes Sri Gangamma one of the most important Goddesses in Tirupati, maybe even more important than the Lord’s wife, Sri Padmavathi Ammavaru.

This temple was built to remember how the Goddess stood up to the Navab army when it attacked and beat it. People think Sri Gangamma Devi is known for caring for and protecting her followers. She gladly answers his followers’ questions and ensures they are answered quickly.

Temple Architecture

The temple of Goddess Gangamma is one of many ancient temples atop a mountain peak. The pronunciation of “Baikonda” as “Baa-ee-kon-da” suggests a well-preserved mountain. In addition to this, it is said that the Goddess is incredibly powerful. It is said that the water from the well will cure various skin conditions. Locals believe that the Pushkarini water is extremely potent and that sprinkling it on the ground will result in exceptional crop growth. By placing a flower on the deity’s head, devotees can verify whether their desires have been granted.

Locals believe that if the flower comes from the right, it will be positive, and if it comes from the left, it will be negative. Arriving devotees are expected to carry “theertha,” the sacred water in the well that is believed to heal and ward off evil. Typically, the offering to the Goddess is a hen or a sheep that will be sacrificed to the Goddess, and the meat will be prepared in the same area and consumed by all family members who attended.

Temple Timing

From 5:00 AM to 6:30 PM, people can visit the temple.

Local Culture

People in Chittoor enjoy a delicious spread of food from Andhra. Chittoor’s traditional food is a bowl of plain rice with various gravies, curries, and dry meat. People know Andra Pradesh for its spicy food, especially curries and gravies. In Chittoor, there are many restaurants that serve tasty local dishes that make you want to lick your fingers. Carnatic music is a favorite among the people who live in Chittoor. Chittoor’s most popular local dances are Kuchipudi, Vilasini Natyam, Veeranaatyam, Lambadi, Kolatam, etc. Veedhi Natakam is an old art form that is still popular in Chittoor.

Darsan Dresscode

When going to a temple, men should avoid wearing shorts and modest clothing.

How to Reach Temple

By Road, the distance from Tirupati to the Boyakonda Gangamma Temple is 110 kilometers, and the distance from Chittoor to the temple is 88 kilometers. In most cases, direct buses to this temple are unavailable; hence, to get to this temple from Tirupati, you will need to first travel to Punganur. There are APSRTC bus routes that go to Punganur.

By Train: Pakla railway station, located 21 kilometers away from this temple, is the station closest to you when traveling by train. Using the area’s public transportation options, you can get to this temple from here.

By Plane: The Tirupati railway station, which is located 150 kilometers away from this temple, is the location of the airport that is closest to it. Using the area’s public transportation options, you can get to this temple from here.

Boyakonda Gangamma Temple Location Map