There are many religious sites in Hyderabad. But among all these religious destinations, Pedamma Gudi is a one with an extra interesting etymology. There is an unusual story about the temple that it is believed to be in existence since 150 years. However the temple was actually noticed on a big scale in 1993 and the construction of Rajagopuram was completed and then became one of the tourist spots of Hyderabad. Everyday hundreds of people come to visit the temple and it looks as if there is a festival every day.
Peddamma Gudi Temple : A Popular Maa Durga Temple in Hyderabad
Let’s know about the history of Pedamma Gudi Temple.
The Intriguing History
The temple got its name from the two separate words Pedda and Amma literatly meaning “Mother of Mothers” or “The Supreme Mother”. Pedamma is considered as one of the 11 forms of Village & Divinities and is known as “The Supreme Most”.
It is said that Shiva, the supreme god, was disturbed by the violence of the demon. Mahishasura and opened his third eye unleashing the fire of doom which has the power to destroy all the three worlds incapable of resisting Mahishasura’s attack.
At that very moment, all the divine powers of the world started emerging in the form of female figures. Brahmi from Brahma with a bow, Kaumari and Kumar with a lance, Vaishnavi from Vishnu, Varahi from Varaha with sharp tusk sow and Shaivani from Shiva bearing a trident. All these female divinities merged together into a sharp blending light. The light took form of a beautiful female figure, Durga literally meaning ‘the inaccessible one’. She was endowed with weapons from all the Gods.
The divinity then mounted a lion and started her war with Maheshasura, the buffalo demon. After realizing that none of her weapons worked on Maheshasura, she rushed upon Maheshasura with her bare hands and pounced on his neck and the demon fell at her feet. Then the Goddess plunged her trident into the demon’s heart conquering the unconquerable.
Festivals at the Peddamma Gudi
There are 2 major festivals celebrated at Peddamma Gudi. One of which is the Bonalu festival which is the celebrated in Ashadam month of Telanga Hindu calendar. In this festival women across the city carry an earthern pot with rice, jaggery,and curd covered with neem leaves and decorated with turmeric, kumkum (sacred red colour) and diya on the top. All this is presented in in front Goddess as offerings.
Rathotsavam is another major festival celebrated in Peddamma Gudi temple on the occasion of Ratha Sapthomi. On this festival, the divinity is decorated beautifully and the Rath (Chariot) is taken around the temple complex for the devotees to see. It is said that the wishes of these devotees come true.
Location
The historic and magnificent temple located at Road no. 55 Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad. It is at a distance of about 12-5 kilometers from Secunderabad Railway Station and about 14 kilometers from MGBS Bus Stop, Hyderabad. You can also visit the nearby Tourist Attractions Shilparam (Handicraft village) Hi-Tech City, KBR Park.
How to Reach ?
It will take you 30-35 minutes to drive from Secunderabad Railway station to the Temple and about 50-60 minutes to drive from MGBS Bus Stop, Hyderabad. You can get direct buses from the railway station as well as the bus stop. Buses and trains from different states and cities of all over India are also available easily. You can even take fights to reach Hyderabad.
Timings
On weekdays the Temple is open from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. On Sunday the timings to visit the temple are 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
Best Time to Visit
The temple is a must visit during the Bonalu festival which occurs during June-July every year. And two mega events of this deity namely Mahotsavam and Rathotsavam are celebrated near around February.
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