Context: In wake of Covid-19 outbreak and nationwide lockdown, the Thathayagunta Gangamma temple, located in the heart of Tirupati, is set to miss the festivities of Gangamma Jatra.
About Gangamma Jatara

• Gangamma Jatara or Jathra is a folk festival celebrated in several places across Southern India; including Karnataka, Rayalaseema and Andhra regions in Andhra Pradesh.
• This festival is to offer prayers to Sri Thathaya Gunta Gangamma, the Gramadevata (the goddess looking after the village) of Tirupati.
• The festival begins with Chatimpu (the official announcement) during midnight of 2nd Tuesday of the month of May by playing musical instruments known as Dappu.
• During the celebrations of Gangamma Jatara, the people wear Vichitra Veshadarana and curse Goddess Gangamma for seven days.
• The last day of the festival is celebrated as Ganga Jatara. During this day, all Gangamma temples in Tirupati are flocked with lakhs of devotees.
• People use to visit temple and offer Pongallu and/or Sarees to Gangamma.
• Few Devotees use to have darshan of Gangamma by wearing Sapparalu (A special gopuram like object made of bamboo) along with Dappu Vaidyam (a musical instrument).
• Ragi Ambali is served to the devotees visiting temples all over the city.
• After the midnight, a clay idol of Gangamma (Viswaroopam) is installed in front of the Temple. The portico is smashed into pieces.
• Devotees then clamour around to get the clay smithereens, which they consider as sacred, to be either preserved in the ‘Puja' room or consumed by mixing it in water. The clay is believed to have curing powers.
• It is also celebrated by fishermen before the start of fishing in Andhra region.
• By this event the entire seven-day Jatara will come to an end.