Boyakonda Gangamma Temple — Attraction in Andhra Pradesh

The Boyakonda Gangamma Temple is a revered Hindu shrine located in Bandlapai, near Chowdepalli Mandal in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Here's a detailed review of the temple: Deity: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Gangamma, who is considered the sister of Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati and an incarnation of Goddess Shakti. Location and Accessibility: Situated on a picturesque hillock (Boyakonda means "mountain with a well"). Approximately 20 km from Madanapalle and around 150 km from Bangalore. Easily accessible by road from nearby towns and cities like Tirupati and Punganur. The nearest railway station is Madanapalle Road (about 23 km away), and the closest airport is Tirupati (around 30 km away). History and Legend: The temple has a historical significance dating back centuries. Legend says that the Boya and Pala Ekari tribal communities, who resided in the surrounding forests, faced oppression from the Golconda Nawab's army. When they couldn't withstand the onslaught, they prayed to Goddess Gangamma for help. It is believed that Goddess Shakti descended from the hill, protected the tribals, and helped them defeat the Nawab's army. In gratitude, the tribals jointly built the Gangamma Temple. Significance: Devotees have strong faith in the protective powers of Goddess Gangamma against evil forces. It is believed that she readily addresses the problems of her devotees and ensures swift resolutions. The temple attracts thousands of pilgrims daily from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Architecture: The temple has a colorful and traditional South Indian temple architecture with a prominent tower. The walls of the temple are said to have been constructed using sand soap. The flooring inside the temple's mandapam is made of natural marble stones. A naturally formed well is located beside the shrine on the hilltop, believed to have sacred water with medicinal properties. Spiritual Experience: The hilltop location offers serene surroundings and a spiritual ambiance. Devotees find it to be a powerful place for worship and meditation. It is believed that wishes are fulfilled by sincerely praying to the Goddess. Locals have a unique way of testing this by placing a flower on the deity's head; if it falls to the right, it's considered a positive sign. Festivals: The temple celebrates festivals like Navaratri Brahmotsavam in a grand manner, attracting large crowds. The Boyakonda Gangamma Dussehra festival is a significant nine-day event. Timings: The general darshan timings are from 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM (some sources mention up to 8:00 PM). Review Summary: The Boyakonda Gangamma Temple is a powerful and historically significant shrine dedicated to Goddess Gangamma. Its hilltop location provides a serene and spiritually charged environment. Devotees visit seeking the Goddess's blessings for protection and fulfillment of their wishes. The temple's legend, connecting it to the protection of local communities, adds to its unique appeal. The architecture, while traditional, has its own charm with the use of natural materials. It's a must-visit for those seeking a spiritual experience in the Chittoor region. I hope this detailed review is helpful! Let me know if you have any...

A temple located on a hillock in a serene and rocky-terrain located in Bandlapai near Chowdepalle Village in close vicinity of Punganur and Madanapalle in Chittoor district (located at around 20 kms from Madanapalle and around 135 kms from Bangalore) is a testimony for Hinduism and their unwavering devotion to spirituality and beliefs. Based on historical facts and my own maternal family’s anecdotes, Boyakonda Gangamma (an incarnation of Goddess Shakti) is the presiding deity at Sri Boyakonda Gangamma Devi Temple. It is believed that the spirit of Goddess Shakti descended from the hillock and shielded the tribals (known as Boyas) and people belonging to Pala Ekari caste to help overpower and crush soldiers of the Golkonda Nawab’s army. It is widely believed that Goddess Shakti’s sword fell on a large oval-shaped boulder and as a result - the boulder split into two equal halves which one can see if they take the walkway to climb steps whilst reaching the temple on hillock. In the ensuing victory, Boyas and Pala Ekari’s tribe joined hands to build Goddess Gangamma’s temple. The Goddess resides right beside a naturally formed well on top of the hillock that is believed to be very powerful as in the water in this sacred well never dries up and has miraculous medicinal properties claiming to cure various skin ailments. Recent years have seen a huge influx of pilgrims not just from neighbouring districts but even neighbouring states as well. Though this temple has been prominent for centuries, pilgrims used to take a challenging trek uphill to reach the temple in yesteryears but I have personally witnessed a lot of transformation and development in pilgrims’ amenities in the last decade or so. Pilgrims can offer prayers and also perform special puja/rituals to the presiding deity requesting her blessings to fulfil their wishes. Temple witnesses huge crowds during Dussera Navaratris, Brahmotsavams, Public Holidays and Weekends in general but if you want to have quick and worthwhile darshan of Goddess Boyakonda Gangamma in all her majesty without having to wait in long queues, I recommend you visit on a weekday. Friends or family, you can enjoy weather conditions similar to Bangalore, enjoy pollution-free air with loads of natural oxygen from thick vegetation as well as buy local produce like fresh fruits and vegetables at pocket-friendly prices straight from the farmers at many spots along the way. We thoroughly relished tasty and fresh Water Apples, Guavas, Dragon Fruits and Star Fruits being sold by local farmers on our way back to Bangalore after a splendid darshan of Sri Boyakonda Gangamma. A must visit place your heart will yearn to go...

Boyakonda Gangamma in the location of temple to Gangamma Devi (an incarnation of Shakti) at Boyakonda, Andhra Pradesh 517257, 20 km from Madanapalle and 150 km from Bangalore; it is in the Chowdepalli Mandal,Diguvapalli panchayat, Pungunur taluk, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh State of India. There is also a Hindu Pilgrimage centre here.

History

Centuries ago the tribals Boyas and Yelikas lived in the forest area around the hillock. They stood up and resented the repressive and automatic rule of the Nawabs. They retaliated against the Muslim soldiers and chased them. The Golconda Nawab rushed additional troops to crush the revolt. Boya tribals could not withstand the onslaught of the Muslim army and fled into the forest and prostrated near the hillock and prayed Almighty to save them. The spirit of the Goddess Shakti descended from the hillock, shielded the tribals and crushed the Nawab's army. Local people say that the Shakti has tied the heads of soldiers to banyan tree branches. In the event of victory Boyas built the Gangamma temple, which saved them against evil forces and became famous for centuries

Temple

The temple of Goddess Gangamma is one of the many ancient temples located on top of a mountain. The word "Baikonda" pronounced as "Baa-ee-kon-da" means mountain which has a well. The Goddess resides right besides this well and is believed to be very powerful. This goddess is known to destroy all evil and those who sincerely worship her are bound to succeed. Her temple is dedicated to the sister of Venkateswara.

Devotees come here and make their wishes and once the wish comes true they come back to make an offering to the Goddess Gangamma which they would have agreed upon once their wish became true.

The water from the well is believed to cure many skin ailments. Local people believe that the Pushkarini water is very powerful, and sprinkling it in the field will yield good crop. Devotees can test whether their wishes will be fulfilled by placing a flower on the head of the deity. Locals believe that if the flower falls on the right side it is positive and negative if it falls on the left. Devotees who come here should take the "theertha", the holy water in the well that is believed to cure and ward off evil.

The offering for the Goddess is generally a hen or a sheep which will be sacrificed to the Goddess and the meat will be cooked at the same place and shall be eaten by all the family members who would have come along.

Once a year the temple Navartri festival brings in lakhs of people from all over India,...