Peddamma Temple Banjara Hills

Come ‘Bonalu’, the aura of the Peddama Temple, Banjara Hills, turns unrivalled. The temple looks as colourful as a rainbow. People from different places throng the temple, only to have the glance of the Supreme Mother -- Peddamma. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most famous temples in Hyderabad.

The Peddamma temple is located at Road No. 55, Jubilee Hills. It is spread over 7 acres. It is an ancient temple which was built nearly 200 years, ago, though, many claim that it has been there for over ten centuries.

‘Pedda+Amma’, literally means 'Mother of Mothers' or ‘The Supreme Mother’. The goddess here is one of the 11 forms of the village deities and the most supreme among the goddesses, Goddess Durga. The Temple is a must-visit during ‘Bonaalu’ festival which occurs during June-July every year. Mahotsavam and Rathotsavam take place on a large scale in February. People offer their prayers and sacrifices to the Mother round the year, and the Mother bestows her warm blessings to the devotees for fulfilment of their wishes.

This small ancient temple was revived and renovated in 1993 by P Janardhan Reddy, former MLA and minster for labour as he was a strong devotee of Goddess Peddamma. He was the founder of the temple trust. He developed five floors of Garba Gudi, seven floors of Raja Gopuram, Kalyana Mandapam and rest rooms. Ganapathi, Laxmi, Sarawathi idols were installed as per the endowments department, Agama Shilpa Sastra and Vasthu traditions and adorned beauty with designs and decorations. In the year 1994, Vigragha Prathista function was performed by Sri Sri Hampi Viupaksha Swamy.

Every day, Abhishekam, Kumkuma Archana are performed and Vishesha poojas are performed to the Goddess on Fridays. The most important festivals celebrated in this temple are Devi Navarathri Ustavalu, Shakambari Ustavalu, Naga Dosha Poojalu.

A Balaji, executive officer of the temple trust, says, “Hundreds of people come to this temple. The temple is always crowded and gives the impression of a festival every day. People believe in Amma and the temple is the second most popular temple in the city, after Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad. In other places Bonaalu is celebrated once a year but here it is celebrated every Sunday. Besides the common man, politicians, VIPs, celebrities, industrialists come to the temple to seek Mother’s blessings.”

Indira Janardhan Reddy and P Vishnuvardhan Reddy, MLA, are the trustees who contribute maximum donations to the temple developmental activities and manage the affairs of the temple in coordination with the endowment department and other agencies.

The most significant feature of the temple is the annual celebrations for three days and Radhostavam in the month of February. It attracts a lot of people from different parts of the country. It is a feast to the eyes for devotees who queue up to witness the deity being taken around on the auspicious day of Ratha Sapthami. Every Tuesday and Friday food is served to all the devotees.