Devotees Blessed with Sandal Ritual at Gangapuram Temple

A centuries-old ritual at the Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy Temple in Gangapuram village, near Jadcherla in Mahabubnagar district, Telangana, has drawn widespread attention as devotees are blessed by being gently tapped on the head with the deity’s sandals during the ongoing Brahmotsavam festival. The revered temple, dedicated to Lord Chennakesava Swamy, celebrates its annual Brahmotsavam with grand fervour. As part of the rituals, special pujas are performed for the Lord’s sacred sandals, which are then taken around the temple in a ceremonial procession.
After offering darshan inside the sanctum, devotees receive blessings in a unique way — priests touch their heads with the consecrated sandals of the deity before sending them off.
Temple officials said the practice has been followed for generations and remains an integral part of the Brahmotsavam tradition. “Devotees believe that receiving blessings through the Lord’s sandals brings good health and divine protection,” temple sources explained.
Though the custom may appear unusual to outsiders, the faithful continue to participate with deep devotion, preserving one of Telangana’s most distinctive temple traditions.