Goddess Ankamma is considered as one of the Sapta Matrikas. She is also labelled as the mother of the Trimurtis. She is a non-Vedic deity. She is always appeased with blood.
Ankamma has lot of similarities with Poleramma. She is represented by a stone image in a little temple outside the village. The image has resemblances to a human form often being an unfinished stone. Ankamma is often considered as a household god. When she is worshipped as a household goddess she is represented by a pot which contains some shells, little earthen mugs and other articles.
The worship of Ankamma as a village goddess is similar to that of Poleramma. This is however more bloody and there is an increase in fervour and cruelty during the five days. On the first day three buffalos and three sheep are sacrificed. This blood is poured before Ankamma. The drum beaters and horn-blowers make a great uproar. The excitement increases and the people leap and dance as if they are possessed by demons.
On the fourth day in memory of Papanooka a man comes in the disguise of a woman and carries a paper balloon in procession on the end of a long pole. The balloon is a pot and above that a drinking cup is kept while the royal staff and snake hood are carried behind that is accompanied by drumming and shouting. The cruel features of the worship take place on the last day. The village carpenter prepares a rude cart on which are set stakes sharply that have pointy upper ends. On these a live goat, a pig, a lamb, a chicken, and other small animals are pierced. The story-teller drinks the blood of a sheep and disguised as a woman mounts to the top of the cart. He rides to Ankamma`s temple in the midst of the suffering animals.
A ritual known as Ankamma Kolupu that is dedicated to Goddess Ankamma takes place. Midnight worship is performed by making a colourful Rangoli with wheat flour, turmeric powder, kumkum, black charcoal powder and so on. Other rituals like the Devara Kolupu or Veerla Kolupu are also performed on some special occasions by individuals or the community as a whole.
