Sri Peddamma Thalli Temple – Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad

 

Sri Peddamma Thalli Temple, also known as Peddamma Gudi, is one of the most revered temples in Hyderabad, located on Road No. 55, Jubilee Hills. The name “Peddamma” comes from the Telugu words “Pedda” (great) and “Amma” (mother) — meaning “Mother of Mothers”, symbolizing the supreme feminine power.

Deities & Architecture

• Main Deity: Goddess Peddamma (a fierce form of Durga seated on a lion)
• Other Shrines: Lakshmi, Ganapati, Saraswati, and Naga Devatha
• Architecture: South Indian style with intricate carvings and a majestic Rajagopuram built in 1993

Legends & Significance

• According to legend, after slaying a demon, the Goddess quenched her thirst at a well here. A shepherd later discovered her idol at this spot, leading to the temple’s construction.
• Another tale links the temple to Mahishasura Mardini, where Goddess Durga defeats the demon Mahishasura with divine blessings from the Trimurti.

Rituals & Festivals

Daily Rituals

The temple follows a structured daily worship schedule rooted in South Indian traditions:

• Suprabhata Seva: Early morning prayers to awaken the Goddess.
• Abhishekam: Ritual bathing of the deity with sacred substances like milk, turmeric, and sandalwood.
• Ashtottara Archana: Chanting of 108 names of the Goddess with offerings of flowers and fruits.
• Kumkumarchana: Special puja with vermillion, especially popular among women devotees.
• Vehicle Puja: Devotees bring their vehicles for blessings, especially on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Sheegra Darshan & Special Sevas: Available during peak hours and festivals for quicker access to the sanctum.

Major Festivals Celebrated

Festival Name	Month (Approx.)	Highlights
Bonalu	June–July (Ashada Masam)	The most important festival. Women offer decorated pots of rice, jaggery, and curd. Ghatam processions, Rangam (oracle), and vibrant dances are key features.
Rathotsavam	February (Ratha Saptami)	Grand chariot procession of the deity through Jubilee Hills. Devotees pull the ratham with devotion.
Durga Navaratri	September–October	Nine days of special alankarams, daily pujas, and cultural programs. Ends with Vijayadashami celebrations.
Vasantha Navaratri	March–April	Springtime Navaratri with floral decorations and special homams.
Makar Sankranti	January	Celebrated with traditional offerings and prayers for prosperity.
Diwali	October–November	Temple illuminated with lamps and special Lakshmi pujas.
Ugadi	March–April	Telugu New Year celebrated with Panchanga Sravanam and new saree offerings to the Goddess.

Unique Ritual Practices

• Offering Only Coconuts: A long-standing tradition where devotees offer only coconuts to the Goddess as a symbol of purity and surrender.
• Coin Ritual: Devotees place a coin vertically in the temple premises, believing it will make their wishes come true.
• Pushkarini Snanam: Ritual bath in the temple’s sacred tank before entering the sanctum during major festivals.
• Annadanam: Free food distribution during Bonalu and Navaratri to thousands of devotees.

Beliefs

Wish-Fulfilling Deity

• Devotees believe that Peddamma Thalli grants boons, especially related to:
• Marriage and fertility
• Health and protection from evil
• Success in business and personal endeavors
• A unique custom involves placing a coin vertically on a stone near the sanctum. If it stands upright, it is believed that the devotee’s wish will be fulfilled.

Spiritual Power During Festivals

• During Bonalu, Rathotsavam, and Navaratri, the temple is believed to radiate heightened spiritual energy.
• Devotees believe that prayers offered during these times are especially potent, and many return each year to fulfill vows or express gratitude for blessings received.

 Symbol of Feminine Strength

• The temple is a cultural and spiritual anchor for women in Telangana.
• Peddamma is revered not just as a mother, but as a protector, warrior, and nurturer, embodying the full spectrum of divine feminine energy.

Temple Hours

• Monday to Saturday:
  Morning: 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM
  Evening: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Sunday:
  Open continuously from 6:00 AM to 8:30 PM (no afternoon break)

Daily Pooja Schedule

• 6:00 AM – Suprabhata Seva (early morning prayer to awaken the Goddess)
• 6:30 AM – Abhishekam (ritual bathing of the deity)
• 7:30 AM – Alankaram (decoration of the deity with flowers and ornaments)
• 8:30 AM – Archana (chanting of names with offerings)
• 12:00 PM – Maha Aarti (grand midday worship)
• 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Temple remains closed for a break
• 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Evening Aarti and Darshan

Entry and Seva Details

• General darshan is free for all devotees.
• Special darshan is available for ₹50.
• VIP darshan is available for ₹100.
• Vehicle pooja is performed daily: ₹10 for two-wheelers and ₹10 for four-wheelers.
• Popular sevas include Ashtottara Archana, Abhishekam, Satyanarayana Puja, Chandi Homam, Deepa Puja, and Kalyanam.

Getting Here

By Air

• Nearest Airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Shamshabad)
• Distance: Approximately 36–38 km
• Travel Time: Around 45–60 minutes by cab
• How to Reach:
• Hire a cab or auto directly from the airport
• TSRTC airport buses are available to Jubilee Hills or nearby areas

By Train

• Nearest Stations:
• Secunderabad Railway Station – ~13 km
• Nampally (Hyderabad Deccan) Railway Station – ~10.8 km
• How to Reach:
• Take a cab, auto, or TSRTC bus from either station
• Metro option: Get down at Jubilee Hills Check Post Metro Station, which is just 1.2 km from the temple

By Bus

• TSRTC Buses:
• Regular buses from Secunderabad, MGBS, and other major city points stop near Jubilee Hills
• Direct buses are available to Road No. 55, where the temple is located

By Road / Private Vehicle

• Easily accessible via Hitech City Road or Road No. 36 in Jubilee Hills
• Ample parking space is available near the temple
• Auto-rickshaws and ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber are widely used

Best Time to Visit

• Early mornings (6:00–8:00 AM) or evenings (6:00–8:00 PM) for peaceful darshan
• November to February is ideal for pleasant weather
• For a festive experience, visit during Bonalu (June–July) or Rathotsavam (February)

Tips

• Early mornings (6:00–8:00 AM) or evenings (6:00–7:30 PM) are ideal for a peaceful darshan.
• Avoid weekends and festival days if you prefer less crowd; the temple gets very busy during Bonalu, Rathotsavam, and Navaratri.

• Only coconuts are traditionally offered to the Goddess here — a unique custom of this temple.
• You can buy coconuts and flowers from stalls outside the temple. Vendors also sell kumkum, turmeric, and garlands.

• Participate in Ashtottara Archana, Abhishekam, or Vehicle Pooja (especially on Tuesdays and Fridays).
• If you’re visiting during Bonalu, consider carrying a Bonam (decorated pot) as an offering — a deeply symbolic act of devotion.

• The temple has a Pushkarini (sacred tank) and gardens for quiet reflection.
• Drinking water and restroom facilities are available within the complex.
• Annadanam (free meals) is offered during major festivals.