Naidu attends Gangamamba Jatara at Kuppam, shares roadside ice apples with toddy tappers

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his wife Nara Bhuvaneswari offered silk robes to the presiding deity at the annual Sri Prasanna Tirupati Gangamamba Jatara at Kuppam, in Chittoor district, on Wednesday (May 20, 2026).

Priests gave the couple a traditional welcome at the temple, where the family took part in special rituals and prayers. After the darshan, the temple authorities presented tirtha prasadam to the Chief Minister.

The visit drew large crowds of devotees and party supporters in and around the temple, and security was tightened.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had flown to the Thummisi helipad from Undavalli and gone to his residence at Kadapalle, near Kuppam, where TDP leaders and activists welcomed him.

On his way back, Mr. Naidu and Ms. Bhuvaneswari stopped at Tanjamma Kottalu village after seeing toddy tappers selling thati munjalu (ice apples) by the roadside. The couple later posted photographs with the tappers on social media.

Mr. Naidu praised the summer delicacy, saying it was free of adulteration, carbide and pesticides. He said eating fresh ice apples by the roadside was a delight, and described them as ‘pure and cool like the hearts of the people of Kuppam’. He added that nothing could surpass the authenticity and richness of rural food products.

Ms. Bhuvaneswari said tasting the fresh ice apples brought back memories of her childhood. During the halt, Mr. Naidu also spoke to the toddy tappers and asked about their work and families.

Mr. Naidu later returned to his residence and was to leave for Bengaluru in the evening.