Photo: thehindu
A biennial festival in Suryapet district. Peddagattu Jatara, also known as Gollagattu Jatara, is held at Durajpalli in Chivvemla Mandal, Suryapet district, Telangana. The festival is celebrated once every two years before Maha Shivaratri. It is particularly associated with the Yadava (Golla) community, while people from different communities and neighboring states also attend the festival.
A long-standing living tradition. The festival is associated with unique rituals, especially the sacred Deverapetta (religious box) containing representative idols of village deities. The box is traditionally handled by Yadava families and its arrival at Durajpalli forms an important part of the jatara.
A Biennial Festival of Telangana
Peddagattu Jatara is held at Durajpalli, Chivvemla Mandal, Suryapet district, Telangana. The festival is celebrated once every two years before Maha Shivaratri. The Suryapet District Government identifies it as the second-largest religious congregation in Telangana after the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram.
The festival is primarily associated with the Yadava (Golla) community, who regard Lingamanthula Swamy as an important community deity. The five-day festival attracts devotees from Telangana and neighboring states.
The exact historical foundation of the festival is not established by a precise surviving foundation record in the sources reviewed. The Suryapet District Government describes the festival as a long-standing tradition dating to the 16th century. This should be understood as a historical/traditional account rather than a precisely documented foundation date.
Lingamanthula Swamy & Choudamma
According to local religious tradition, Lingamanthula Swamy is identified with an incarnation or manifestation of Lord Shiva and is worshipped at Peddagattu in Durajpalli. Goddess Choudamma is worshipped alongside him and is traditionally regarded as his sister and an important deity of the Yadava community.
Traditional accounts associate the establishment and continuation of the worship with Yadava families of the region. Such accounts describe the deities as having manifested at the Peddagattu hillock, but these religious traditions should not be presented as independently established historical events.
The five-day festival includes pujas, offerings, processions, community gatherings and cultural activities. The jatara continues to function as an important religious and cultural gathering for the Yadava community and other devotees.
Peddagattu Jatara Highlights & Living Traditions
The Divine Box – Deverapetta, the Heart of the Jatara
What is the Deverapetta? It is a sacred religious box associated with the Peddagattu Jatara. It contains representative idols of Pothuraju, Ganga, Yelamanchamma, Akumanchamma, Pothu Lingalu and other village deities associated with the traditional worship.
Traditional custody: The Deverapetta is traditionally maintained by Yadava families and brought to the Durajpalli temple before the biennial jatara. Historical and media accounts describe its movement between traditional custodians and different places associated with Lingamanthula Swamy worship.
The precise sequence, dates and custodial arrangements can vary between festival editions. They should therefore be confirmed locally for the particular jatara being attended.
Core Rituals – From Disti Puja to Grand Processions
Disti Puja: A traditional preparatory ritual performed before the jatara. It forms part of the religious preparations for the festival.
Deverapetta procession: The Deverapetta is traditionally brought to the temple in a ceremonial procession. Devotees accompany the procession with drums, traditional songs and offerings.
Daily pujas & offerings: During the festival, devotees participate in pujas and make traditional offerings including kumkum, turmeric, coconuts and naivedyam. Annadanam is also organized for pilgrims.
The Biennial Congregation – Second Largest in Telangana
Peddagattu Jatara is identified by the Suryapet District Government as the second-largest religious congregation in Telangana after the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram. The festival attracts lakhs of devotees, with attendance varying by edition.
For the 2025 edition, government and media reports anticipated a very large turnout, with estimates reaching approximately 30 lakh devotees over the festival period. Such figures are edition-specific estimates and should not be treated as a fixed attendance figure for every jatara.
The festival receives government support for arrangements such as roads, drinking water, sanitation, traffic management, security and medical facilities. The Yadava community plays a central role in the traditional observances, while devotees from many communities also attend.
Traditional and contemporary cultural activities associated with the gathering include devotional singing, folk performances and community celebrations.
Unique Traditions – Priests, Box Custody & Post-Festival Observances
Traditional Priests
Yadava priest families associated with Cheekataipalem village have traditionally performed important rituals connected with the Deverapetta. The precise roles and arrangements should be confirmed with the temple and local organizers for each edition.
Deverapetta Custody
Traditional accounts describe the Deverapetta being kept with designated Yadava families after the jatara before being taken to other places associated with Lingamanthula Swamy worship. The detailed route and duration can vary by festival edition.
Bullock Cart Tradition
Bullock carts are associated with the traditional rural pilgrimage culture of the region. Modern transport, including buses and private vehicles, is now widely used by pilgrims.
The Peddagattu Hillock
The temple is associated with the Peddagattu hillock at Durajpalli. Traditional devotional practices connected with the hill and temple continue during the jatara.
Nearby Cities & Heritage Destinations
Suryapet: District headquarters and a major road junction on NH65. Suryapet provides road access to villages and religious and heritage destinations throughout the district.
Chivvemla: The mandal headquarters associated administratively with Durajpalli.
Nalgonda: Historic district headquarters and an important urban centre in the region.
Kodad: An important town in the southern part of Suryapet district.
Warangal: Historic city in Telangana; traditional accounts of the Deverapetta connect its custody and movement with villages in the wider former Warangal region.
Mattapalli: Major pilgrimage destination on the Krishna River, home to the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple.
Jan Pahad: Another important Sufi dargah in Suryapet district, associated with Jan Pahad Saidulu Baba.
Phanigiri: Important Buddhist archaeological site in Suryapet district.
Pillalamarri: Historic temple complex in Suryapet district associated with the Kakatiya period.
Witness the Festival – Traveler's Guide
Peddagattu Jatara
- When to go: The jatara is held once every two years before Maha Shivaratri. Exact dates vary by edition. The main festival runs for approximately five days. Check the Suryapet district administration or local announcements for the current edition schedule.
- At the festival: Visitors may observe the Deverapetta procession, religious ceremonies, devotional singing, cultural performances and community activities.
- What to expect: Very large crowds, long queues, processions, devotional activities, folk performances and temporary market stalls are typical during the jatara.
- Allow additional time: Festival-period travel can involve heavy traffic, crowding and temporary changes to local transport arrangements.
Suryapet & Nearby Heritage Sites
- Combine the visit: The jatara can be included in a wider Suryapet district religious and heritage itinerary.
- Possible destinations: Phanigiri, Pillalamarri, Mattapalli, Jan Pahad, Undrugonda and Arvapally Dargah are among the district's religious and heritage attractions.
- Return: Continue to Suryapet or onward according to the travel itinerary.
Visitor Information
Timings & Entry
Festival timing: Biennial, before Maha Shivaratri. The festival runs for approximately five days.
Entry: No authoritative source reviewed for this article specifies a general entry fee.
Dress: Visitors should follow customary temple practices and wear respectful attire.
Festival visits: Confirm the current edition's dates, timings and local arrangements before travelling.
Location & Access
Location: Durajpalli, Chivvemla Mandal, Suryapet district, Telangana.
By road: Suryapet is well connected by road with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Warangal and other cities. From Suryapet, visitors can continue to Durajpalli by local transport or taxi.
By rail: Suryapet does not have a railway station. The Suryapet District Government identifies Nalgonda Railway Station as a rail access point; visitors should verify the most suitable operational station and onward road connection before travelling.
By air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is the nearest major airport, approximately 150 km from Suryapet.
Facilities & Travel Tips
Facilities
- Suryapet town has hotels, lodges and guesthouses for accommodation.
- During the jatara, temporary facilities and shelters may be established for pilgrims.
- Medical, drinking-water, sanitation, traffic and crowd-management arrangements are generally organized during the festival.
- Because arrangements can change between editions, visitors should confirm current facilities before travelling.
Travel Tips
- Check the current edition's dates and local arrangements before travelling.
- Be prepared for very large crowds during festival days.
- Carry drinking water, snacks, a cap and other personal essentials.
- January–February weather can vary between cool mornings and warmer daytime conditions; carry suitable clothing.
- Respect local customs and temple rules.
- Do not touch sacred objects or the Deverapetta unless specifically permitted by temple or festival authorities.
- Ask permission before photographing individuals during rituals.
- Follow queue lines, traffic instructions and directions from festival authorities.
- Follow any temporary restrictions on food, alcohol, photography or access that may be announced by the temple or district administration.
- Maintain cleanliness and avoid littering around the festival area.
- For current festival information, confirm locally before travelling.
Nearby Attractions
Historical note: Peddagattu Jatara is a biennial five-day religious festival held at Durajpalli in Chivvemla Mandal, Suryapet district, before Maha Shivaratri. The Suryapet District Government identifies it as the second-largest religious congregation in Telangana after the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram. The Deverapetta religious box is central to the festival's traditional rituals and is associated with Yadava custodial families. The district government describes the tradition as dating to the 16th century, but the precise foundation date of the festival is not established by a specific documentary record in the sources reviewed. Suryapet should not be described as having a railway station.
A Biennial Festival of Faith, Culture & Community in Suryapet
Peddagattu Jatara is a biennial five-day religious festival held at Durajpalli in Chivvemla Mandal, Suryapet district. Dedicated to Lingamanthula Swamy and Goddess Choudamma, the festival is particularly associated with the Yadava community and attracts large numbers of devotees from Telangana and neighboring states.
The festival is identified by the Suryapet District Government as the second-largest religious congregation in Telangana after the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram. Its distinctive traditions include the Deverapetta religious box, preparatory rituals, ceremonial processions, devotional observances and community participation. Its exact historical foundation should be distinguished from traditional accounts of its antiquity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can attend Peddagattu Jatara?
The jatara attracts people from different communities and regions. The Yadava community has a particularly important traditional role in the festival, while devotees and visitors from other communities also attend.
Why is it called both Peddagattu and Gollagattu?
The festival is commonly known as both Peddagattu Jatara and Gollagattu Jatara. The names are associated with the Peddagattu hillock and the traditional association of the festival with the Golla/Yadava community.
What is the significance of the Deverapetta?
The Deverapetta is a sacred religious box containing representative idols of village deities. Its arrival at Durajpalli is an important part of the traditional jatara ceremonies.
How often is the jatara held?
The festival is held once every two years and is a biennial event. It takes place before Maha Shivaratri, with exact dates varying between editions.
Is there any special dress code?
There is no general dress-code detail established in the sources reviewed. Visitors should wear respectful attire and follow temple instructions and customary practices.
Are visitors from other communities allowed to attend?
The festival attracts people from different communities and regions. Access to particular temple areas or rituals may be subject to the prevailing temple and festival arrangements.
Does Suryapet have a railway station?
No. Suryapet does not have a railway station. The Suryapet District Government identifies Nalgonda Railway Station as a rail access point. Visitors travelling by train should verify the most suitable operational station and continue by road.
Who are the traditional priests of the Deverapetta?
Yadava priest families associated with Cheekataipalem village have traditionally performed important rituals connected with the Deverapetta. The precise arrangements should be confirmed locally for the particular festival edition.
References & Further Reading
Peddagattu Jatara, Suryapet – a biennial five-day religious festival at Durajpalli in Chivvemla Mandal, dedicated to Lingamanthula Swamy and Goddess Choudamma, closely associated with the Yadava community and known for the Deverapetta sacred box and its large religious congregation.