Goddess Gangamma is worshipped mainly in villages in South India . Some people consider her as an incarnation
of Goddess Durga. There are many villages that believe Gangamma Devi is the
goddess of disguise and she is a manifestation of Yogamaya – sister of Sri
Krishna who disappeared into the sky. In many villages in Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana and Karnataka, Goddess Gangamma is the sister of Lord Balaji or
Venkateswara.
Legend has it that Goddess Gangamma appeared on earth
to put an end to rule of a demon king. She was famous for her beauty and was
considered as the most beautiful woman on earth. The demonic king of the region
tried capture Gangamma and make his wife. The Gooddess used her yogic powers
and assumed various forms. Thus she came to be known as the goddess of
disguise.
Another legend has it that Gangamma took seven different forms
including that of a small girl, virgin, eunuch and a man. But on the eighth
day, the goddess got fed up with the activities of the king and took a fierce
form and annihilated the king.
The entire kingdom then started worshipping the Goddess. Due
to the Adharmic activities of the king, the kingdom was going through a severe
drought and with appearance of the Goddess, the sky opened up and there was
rain. The drought ended and land became fertile.
The most important festival dedicated to the goddess is
observed in Jyeshta month (May – June).
Gangamma is also worshipped by the transgender community as
she took both male and female form during her stay on earth.
Today, Goddess Gangamma is a goddess of fertility and she is
worshipped for healthy children, good rains, peace and prosperity in many
villages and towns in South India .
Some of the important temples dedicated to Goddess Gangamma
are located at Malleswaram, Lingarajapuram near Bangalore , Kuppam, Chikkaballapur, Vidyapith
and near Gauribidanur.