Locals smearing charcoal, kumkum and limestone all over their bodies and dressed in unique costumes would have raised many an eyebrow elsewhere, but not in Tirupati during the month of May.
Come peak summer, it is the time for the annual folk festival ‘Ganga Jatara’ observed at the ancient temple of Thathayagunta Gangamma temple located in the heart of the city.
The traditional festival is observed with great reverence by the native residents of Tirupati, who converge at their hometown for this event, wherever they are settled across the globe. According to the folklore, the goddess is worshipped as the younger sister of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala.
