penuganchiprolu temple
Sri Tirupatamba is the presiding deity at Sri Tirupatamma Ammavari Temple, Penuganchiprolu. The deity is the image of “Shakti”. According to an old saying in India, God resides where women are respected. Corroborating this, there is an interesting legend attached to the history of this temple.
In the 17th century, Sri Raja Vasireddy Jagga Bhoopal was ruling the Krishna region, with Amaravathi as his Capital. In his kingdom, Sri Tirupatamma was born to a family of “Kolla”. She married Sri Gopaiah Swamy of the “Kakani” family and brought glory to both families through her undeterred devotion to the Lord.
Despite her being the ideal wife, she faced troubles and misery at her husband’s house. When her husband died, she immolated herself in her husband’s funeral pyre.
It is believed that Sri Tirupatamma knew about her husband’s death through divine sight. Tirupatamma ordered the village headman Sri Srisailapathi to construct a temple at the pyre place.
Since then, Sri Tirupatamba is worshipped in the Penuganchiprolu Temple as the image of “Shakti”. She represents virtuous qualities. According to the folklore, 101 Temples were existing in ancient times at Pedakanchipuram which is now called “Pedakanchi”. Thousands of Women carry Bonalu for the temple fair (Tirunallu) at Penuganchiprolu.