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Although
renowned as the one of the three greatest and, impregnable citadel of
Vaishnavism, Tirupati is not bereft of Sakti aalayas, nor Siva mandirs. There
are nearly half a dozen famous, ancient and much - hallowed temples dedicated
to the august Mother Parasakti and to her various manifestations like Kaliamma,
Mariamma, Gangamma, Perantalamma etc. Gangamma temple has a long legend and
its attraction for women in particular exceeds Sri Govindarajaswami temple, if
the pilgrims visitation is excluded. Special worship conducted on -Tuesdays and
Fridays lure unmanageable crowds and the annual Jatara lasting for 10 days turns
the town into Bhulokaswarga. Very many types of prayer services are offered
along with the sacrifice of cocks. She is Balipriya and is appeased with animal
sacrifice. Her raining of boons too is infinitely bounteous and no adorer finds
occasion for despair. The temple is recently renovated and has huge courtyards
with small shrines for parivaradevatas like Ganapathy and Navagrahas. The garbha
griha is spacious and here the icon of Gangamma's head is worshipped and it is
facing east. Daily puja is offered with due rituals.
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