Kishan Reddy joins Jammi Puja at Nallakunta on Vijayadashami
Synopsis
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy observed Vijayadashami by participating in the traditional Jammi Puja at Ramalayam temple in Nallakunta, Hyderabad, marking the Telugu festival that commemorates the Pandavas reclaiming their weapons.
Key Takeaways
Union Coal and Mines Minister G.
Kishan Reddy participated in Jammi Puja at Ramalayam, Nallakunta, Hyderabad on Vijayadashami 2026 .
The Jammi tree (Prosopis cineraria) is worshipped across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Vijayadashami, rooted in the Mahabharata story of the Pandavas retrieving weapons from exile.
Reddy posted in Telugu on X, sharing four photographs from the temple ceremony.
He holds the dual roles of Union Minister of Coal and Mines and Telangana BJP state president .
Ramalayam in Nallakunta is a neighbourhood temple in central Hyderabad with a longstanding role in local devotional life.
On Vijayadashami 2026, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy joined the traditional Jammi Puja at Ramalayam, Nallakunta, Hyderabad — stepping into a ritual that stretches back to the epic age of the Mahabharata.
Posting in Telugu, the Minister wrote: 'విజయదశమి సందర్భంగా జమ్మి పూజలో పాల్గొనడం జరిగింది' — 'On the occasion of Vijayadashami, I participated in the Jammi Puja.' The short line, accompanied by four photographs from the temple, placed Reddy squarely in the devotional heart of his home city.
What is Jammi Puja and why it matters in Telugu culture
The Jammi tree (Prosopis cineraria) occupies a singular place in Telugu Vijayadashami tradition. According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas concealed their weapons in a Jammi tree during their year of incognito exile; on Vijayadashami, they retrieved those arms before the great battle — turning the tree into an enduring symbol of courage reclaimed. Worshipping the Jammi on Dasara is therefore not merely ritual; it is a re-enactment of that mythic moment of readiness. Across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, families and public figures gather at temples and open grounds to perform the puja, exchange Jammi leaves as a gesture of goodwill, and mark the victory of righteousness over adversity.Ramalayam Nallakunta — the neighbourhood temple at the centre of it
Ramalayam in Nallakunta is a well-known neighbourhood temple in central Hyderabad, long a hub of devotional life for residents of the area. Reddy's choice to observe the festival here, rather than at a grander public venue, underlines the local, community-rooted character of the occasion. For a leader who holds both a national cabinet portfolio and the presidency of Telangana BJP, showing up at a neighbourhood temple on a festival that resonates deeply with Telugu identity is itself a form of cultural statement — one that requires no megaphone. This Vijayadashami, the season of good over evil got one more quiet, marigold-scented chapter added to it.Point of View
Giving the gesture both devotional and political weight without requiring explicit campaigning. As the BJP's state president, Reddy's visibility at grassroots religious events helps consolidate the party's identity in a state where it competes fiercely for cultural legitimacy. The choice of a local temple over a grand public venue amplifies rather than diminishes the signal.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jammi Puja during Vijayadashami?
Jammi Puja is a regional ritual observed mainly in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh during Vijayadashami, in which the Jammi tree (Prosopis cineraria) is worshipped. It is linked to the Mahabharata story of the Pandavas hiding and retrieving their weapons from a Jammi tree during their year of incognito exile, symbolising the reclaiming of strength and the triumph of righteousness.
Where did G. Kishan Reddy attend Vijayadashami puja in 2026?
G. Kishan Reddy participated in Jammi Puja at Ramalayam temple in the Nallakunta area of Hyderabad, Telangana, on Vijayadashami 2026.
Who is G. Kishan Reddy?
G. Kishan Reddy is the Union Minister of Coal and Mines in the Indian government and serves as the president of the BJP's Telangana state unit. He represents Secunderabad in the Lok Sabha.
Why do Telugu people worship the Jammi tree on Dasara?
According to the Mahabharata, the Pandavas concealed their weapons in a Jammi tree during their year-long incognito exile and retrieved them on Vijayadashami before war. Worshipping the Jammi tree commemorates that act of reclaiming one's strength, making it a festival of courage and victory specific to Telugu culture.
What is Vijayadashami celebrated for?
Vijayadashami, also known as Dasara or Dussehra, is a Hindu festival marking the victory of good over evil. It is observed on the tenth day of the Navratri period and is one of the most widely celebrated festivals across India, with regional variations in ritual and tradition.
