Are you looking for a spiritual and cultural experience in Hyderabad? If yes, then you must visit the Peddamma Temple, one of the most popular and revered temples in the city. Peddamma Temple is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, who is worshipped as Peddamma, meaning the Supreme Mother. The temple is located in Jubilee Hills, a posh area of Hyderabad, and attracts thousands of devotees every year.
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit to the Peddamma Temple, such as its timings, entry fee, history, legend, festivals, rituals, architecture, idols, how to reach, nearby attractions, and hotels. Read on to discover the beauty and divinity of the Peddamma Temple.
Peddamma Temple Timings and Entry Fee
The Peddamma Temple is open every day from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The temple is especially crowded on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, as these are considered auspicious days for the Goddess. The temple also offers vehicle pooja, where you can get your car, bike, or scooter blessed by the priests. The vehicle pooja timings are from 7:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The temple also has a special darshan facility, where you can skip the queue and have a quick darshan of the Goddess. The special darshan timings are from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM and from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The Peddamma Temple does not charge any entry fee for the general darshan. However, you have to pay a nominal fee for the vehicle pooja and the special darshan. The vehicle pooja fee is Rs. 50 for two-wheelers and Rs. 100 for four-wheelers.
The special darshan fee is Rs. 20 per person. You can also buy prasadam, flowers, and other offerings from the temple premises. The Peddamma Temple phone number is 040-23544592.
You can also visit the Peddamma Temple official website for more details and updates.
Peddamma Temple History and Legend
The Peddamma Temple is believed to be more than 150 years old. The temple was originally a small shrine, where the locals used to worship a stone idol of the Goddess. The temple was renovated and expanded in 1993, with the construction of a grand gopuram, a mandapam, and a garbhagriha. The temple also installed a new idol of the Goddess, made of panchaloha, a five-metal alloy. The temple is now spread over an area of 2.5 acres, and has become a major landmark of Hyderabad.
The legend of the Peddamma Temple is related to the story of Goddess Durga and Mahishasura, the demon king. According to the legend, Mahishasura had obtained a boon from Lord Brahma, that he could not be killed by any man or god. He became arrogant and started to terrorize the world. The gods then approached Goddess Durga, the supreme power, and requested her to save them from Mahishasura. Goddess Durga agreed and waged a fierce battle with Mahishasura for nine days and nights. On the tenth day, she finally killed him with her trident, and restored peace and order in the world. This day is celebrated as Vijayadashami, or Dussehra, the day of victory.
The legend further says that after killing Mahishasura, Goddess Durga manifested herself as Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and blessed her devotees.
She also assumed the form of Peddamma, the Supreme Mother, and took care of her children. She is said to fulfill the wishes of her devotees, and protect them from all evils. The name Peddamma also means the elder sister of the mother, as she is considered to be the sister of Goddess Kali, another form of Goddess Durga. The posture of the Goddess in the temple is unique, as she is seen sitting on a lotus, with four hands, holding a lotus, a conch, a discus, and a mace. She is also adorned with a crown, a necklace, and earrings. The offerings to the Goddess include coconut, flowers, fruits, sweets, and sarees.
Peddamma Temple Festivals and Rituals
The Peddamma Temple celebrates many festivals throughout the year, but the most famous and grand one is the Bonalu Festival, which is also the state festival of Telangana. Bonalu means food, and the festival is a way of offering food to the Goddess, as a thanksgiving for her blessings. The festival is celebrated in the month of Ashada, which falls in June or July, and lasts for four weeks. The festival starts with the Golconda Bonalu, followed by the Secunderabad Bonalu, the Ujjaini Mahankali Bonalu, and the Peddamma Bonalu. The Peddamma Bonalu is the last and the biggest one, and attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the state.
The main ritual of the Bonalu Festival is the offering of cooked rice, mixed with jaggery and milk, in a brass or clay pot, decorated with neem leaves, turmeric, and vermilion. The women carry these pots on their heads and walk to the temple, accompanied by drums and music. They also wear traditional sarees and jewellery, and dance in a trance-like state, as a sign of being possessed by the Goddess.
Some women also carry a bamboo stick, with a lamp on the top, called the ghatam, which represents the Goddess. They are called the ghatam carriers, or the pot-rajus, and they are considered to be the representatives of the Goddess on earth. They are also accompanied by a priest, who sprinkles holy water on them, and a tiger, which is a man dressed in a tiger costume, who acts as the vehicle of the Goddess.
Another ritual of the Bonalu Festival is the Rangam, or the oracle, which takes place on the next day of the Bonalu. A woman, who is considered to be the messenger of the Goddess, stands on a wooden stool, and predicts the future of the state and the people. She also answers the questions of the devotees, and gives them solutions to their problems. The Rangam is followed by a procession, where the idol of the Goddess is taken on a chariot, or a ratham, around the city. The procession is a colorful and vibrant spectacle, with thousands of people participating and witnessing it. The procession ends with the immersion of the ghatams in a water body, such as a lake or a river, which marks the end of the festival.
The Peddamma Temple also celebrates other festivals, such as Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Makar Sankranti, etc. The temple is decorated with lights, flowers, and flags, and special poojas and aartis are performed. The temple also distributes prasadam and annadanam, or free food, to the devotees. The best time to visit the Peddamma Temple is during the Bonalu Festival, or any other festival, as you can witness the grandeur and glory of the temple, and experience the festive spirit and fervor of the people.
Peddamma Temple Architecture and Idols
The Peddamma Temple is a fine example of South Indian temple architecture, with a blend of modern and traditional elements. The temple has a majestic gopuram, or a tower, at the entrance, which is 40 feet high, and has intricate carvings and sculptures of various gods and goddesses. The gopuram also has a kalash, or a pot, on the top, which is made of gold, and has a flag with the symbol of the Goddess. The gopuram leads to the mandapam, or the hall, which is spacious and airy, and has pillars and arches. The mandapam also has a stage, where cultural programs and events are held. The mandapam leads to the prakaram, or the circumambulatory path, which surrounds the garbhagriha, or the sanctum sanctorum, where the main idol of the Goddess is placed. The garbhagriha is the most sacred and important part of the temple, and only the priests are allowed to enter it.
The idol of the Goddess in the Peddamma Temple is made of panchaloha, a five-metal alloy, and is about 10 feet tall. The idol is beautifully decorated with clothes, jewellery, and flowers, and has a radiant and benevolent expression. The idol has four hands, holding a lotus, a conch, a discus, and a mace, which represent the four aspects of the Goddess, namely, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, and Kali. The idol is also sitting on a lotus, which symbolizes purity and prosperity. The idol is facing east, and has a halo around its head, which signifies enlightenment and grace. The idol is worshipped with various rituals and offerings, such as abhishekam, archana, kumkumarchana, ashtottaram, sahasranamam, etc. The devotees also offer coconut, flowers, fruits, sweets, and sarees to the Goddess to the Goddess. The devotees also believe that the Goddess listens to their prayers and grants their wishes.
The Peddamma Temple also has other deities and sub-shrines within its premises, such as Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Hanuman, Lord Subramanya, Lord Ayyappa, and Goddess Saraswati. These deities are also worshipped with respect and devotion, and have their own idols and poojas. The temple also has a navagraha, or a nine-planet shrine, where the devotees can pray for their astrological well-being. The temple also has a banyan tree, which is considered to be sacred and auspicious, and has a small shrine of Lord Shiva under it.
How to Reach Peddamma Temple
The Peddamma Temple is easily accessible from any part of Hyderabad, as it is well-connected by road, rail, and air. The temple is located in Jubilee Hills, which is about 12 km from the Secunderabad Railway Station, and about 25 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. You can reach the temple by various modes of transport, such as by bus, by cab, by auto, or by metro. Here are some of the ways to reach the Peddamma Temple:
By bus:
You can take a bus from any major bus stop in Hyderabad, such as Koti, Abids, Nampally, Secunderabad, etc., and get down at the Peddamma Temple bus stop, which is right in front of the temple. The bus fare is around Rs. 10 to Rs. 20, depending on the distance and the type of bus. Some of the bus numbers that go to the Peddamma Temple are 10H, 127K, 127J, 127S, etc.
By cab:
You can book a cab from any online platform, such as Ola, Uber, Meru, etc., or from any local taxi stand, and reach the Peddamma Temple in comfort and convenience. The cab fare is around Rs. 200 to Rs. 300, depending on the distance and the traffic. You can also share a cab with other passengers, and save some money.
By auto:
You can hire an auto from any nearby auto stand, or from the road, and reach the Peddamma Temple in a short time. The auto fare is around Rs. 50 to Rs. 100, depending on the distance and the bargaining. You can also share an auto with other passengers, and reduce the cost.
By metro:
You can take a metro from any metro station in Hyderabad, such as Miyapur, Ameerpet, LB Nagar, etc., and get down at the Madhapur Metro Station, which is the nearest metro station to the Peddamma Temple. The metro fare is around Rs. 20 to Rs. 40, depending on the distance and the type of ticket. From the Madhapur Metro Station, you can take a bus, a cab, or an auto, and reach the Peddamma Temple in about 10 minutes.
Nearby Attractions and Hotels
The Peddamma Temple is not only a spiritual and cultural destination, but also a gateway to explore the other attractions and places to visit around the temple. Here are some of the nearby attractions and hotels that you can check out:
Paigah Palace:
Paigah Palace is a historical and architectural marvel, located about 4 km from the Peddamma Temple. The palace was built by the Paigah nobles, who were the loyalists of the Nizams of Hyderabad, and showcases a fusion of Indo-Islamic and European styles. The palace has a grand façade, a beautiful courtyard, and a splendid durbar hall. The palace also has a museum, which displays the artifacts, paintings, and photographs of the Paigah family. The palace is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the entry fee is Rs. 10 per person.
All Saints Church:
All Saints Church is a serene and sacred place, located about 5 km from the Peddamma Temple. The church was built in 1860, and is one of the oldest churches in Hyderabad. The church has a Gothic style, with a high spire, stained glass windows, and wooden pews. The church also has a cemetery, where many prominent personalities of Hyderabad are buried. The church is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the entry is free.
Rashtrapati Nilayam:
Rashtrapati Nilayam is a majestic and elegant residence, located about 6 km from the Peddamma Temple. The residence was built in 1860, and was used as the summer retreat of the British Resident of Hyderabad. The residence is now used as the official guest house of the President of India, and hosts many dignitaries and events. The residence has a colonial style, with a sprawling lawn, a swimming pool, and a golf course. The residence is open to the public from January to February, and the entry fee is Rs. 25 per person.
Place to stay near the Peddamma Temple
If you are looking for a place to stay near the Peddamma Temple, you have plenty of options to choose from, ranging from budget to luxury hotels. Here are some of the top hotels near the Peddamma Temple:
Hotel Asrani International:
Hotel Asrani International is a 3-star hotel, located about 2 km from the Peddamma Temple. The hotel offers comfortable and spacious rooms, with amenities such as AC, TV, Wi-Fi, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a banquet hall, and a travel desk. The hotel charges around Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 per night, depending on the type of room and the season.
You can book a stay at this property here.
Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad:
Courtyard by Marriott Hyderabad is a 4-star hotel, located about 4 km from the Peddamma Temple. The hotel offers luxurious and elegant rooms, with amenities such as AC, TV, Wi-Fi, mini-bar, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a café, a bar, a fitness center, a spa, and a pool. The hotel charges around Rs. 5000 to Rs. 7000 per night, depending on the type of room and the season.
You can book a stay at this property here.
Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre:
Hyderabad Marriott Hotel & Convention Centre is a 5-star hotel, located about 5 km from the Peddamma Temple. The hotel offers lavish and sophisticated rooms, with amenities such as AC, TV, Wi-Fi, mini-bar, etc. The hotel also has a restaurant, a lounge, a bar, a fitness center, a spa, and a pool. The hotel charges around Rs. 8000 to Rs. 10000 per night, depending on the type of room and the season.
You can book a stay at this property here.
The Peddamma Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the spiritual and cultural richness of Hyderabad. The temple is not only a place of worship, but also a place of joy and celebration. The temple is a witness to the faith and devotion of the people, and the grace and glory of the Goddess. The temple is also a hub of activity and entertainment, with various festivals and events taking place throughout the year.
The temple is also a base to explore the other attractions and places to visit around the temple, such as the Paigah Palace, the All Saints Church, the Rashtrapati Nilayam, etc. The temple is also a place to relax and rejuvenate, with many hotels and resorts nearby, offering comfort and convenience. The Peddamma Temple is a place where you can find peace and happiness, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your tickets now, and visit the Peddamma Temple, the most famous temple in Hyderabad.
