Adelli Pochamma Temple – Telangana’s Fierce Guardian Goddess of the Forest

The Sri Maha Pochamma Temple at Adelli village in Sarangapur Mandal, Nirmal district, Telangana, is a powerful folk shrine revered for its fierce guardian deity and deep-rooted tribal traditions.

History & Significance

According to local legend, during a devastating famine and epidemic, villagers prayed to Lord Shiva for protection. In response, he sent his daughter Pochamma Devi to safeguard the region. She chose to reside in the forested hills of Adelli, where she continues to bless devotees with health and protection.

The temple is also known as Dharmaraju Konda and is considered a Pandava Kshetram, with mythological links to the Mahabharata era.

Deities Worshipped

Sri Maha Pochamma Devi – the main deity, depicted with four arms holding a trishula, damarukam, abhaya hasta, and akshaya patra, standing with one leg on a demon.
She is worshipped alongside seven sister goddesses (Sapta Matrikas): Brahmani, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani, and Chamundi—uniquely enshrined in the sanctum.
The goddess is fond of curd rice (perugannam), which is offered as naivedyam.

Rituals & Beliefs

Devotees offer turmeric (pasupu) instead of kumkum, and the sanctum is often filled with heaps of turmeric.
A unique belief: if you stand a ₹1 coin upright before the deity, it won’t fall—seen as a sign of divine presence.
After darshan, devotees cook meals nearby and share community feasts under the trees.

Festivals

The grandest celebration is the Ganga Neella Jathara, held annually during Devi Navaratri (post-Amavasya Saturday and Sunday before Dasara).

On Saturday, the goddess’s ornaments are taken in procession through nearby villages.
On Sunday, they are ritually cleansed in the Godavari River near Sangvi and returned in a silver vessel.

The temple draws massive crowds every Sunday, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jathara.

Temple Timings :

6.00 am to 6.00 pm

Tips

Best Days: Sundays are the most vibrant, drawing large crowds from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and even Odisha.

Festival Alert: The Ganga Neella Jathara, held during Devi Navaratri (Saturday and Sunday before Dasara), is the biggest event—plan travel and accommodation early.

Offerings: Bring turmeric (pasupu) instead of kumkum—turmeric is the sacred offering here.

Naivedyam: The goddess loves curd rice (perugannam)—devotees often cook and offer it on-site.

No Hotels Nearby: Stay in Nirmal or Bhainsa and travel early in the morning

Photography: Be respectful—avoid flash or photos inside the garbhagriha

How to reach the Temple :

21 km from Nirmal

56 Km from Bhainsa

60 km from Armoor

Nearby Temples :

Basara Saraswathi Temple – 87 km

Dichpally Sri Rama Temple – 88 km

Siddula Gutta Siddeswara Temple - 62 km.