Mulugu: Devotees dash to Medaram ahead of jatara

Mulugu: With just couple of days left for the commencement of biennial Sammakka Saralamma jatara, devotees in large numbers continue to flock Medaram to submit their offerings at the altars, known as gaddelu locally.

Compared to previous years' pre-jatara rush, the number of devotees visiting Medaram has gone up significantly. The serpentine queues were already order of the day. For the last fortnight or so, especially on Sundays, the administration has its task cut out dealing with the flow of devotees and looking after the arrangements for the jatara.

Since the authorities released water from Laknavaram Lake to it a few days ago, the precincts of Jampannavagu (stream) have been abuzz with the devotees taking holy dip. On the other hand, the administration led by Mulugu In-charge Collector RV Karnan is leaving no stone unturned to ensure utmost comfort for the devotees. The authorities were already streamlined the queues and the traffic routes.

This apart, a large number of police personnel have been deployed to monitor and control the flow of vehicles and devotees. Meanwhile, the administration is trying to satellite images from the Telangana State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (TRAC). Karnan said that these images would help them in monitoring the crowd movement at Jampannavagu, RTC bus station, neighbouring Chilakala

Gutta, Reddigudem, Kannepalli and Oorattam villages.

Minister for Panchayat Raj Errabelli Dayakar Rao and Minister for Tribal Welfare Satyavathi Rathod inaugurated the renovated tribal museum, RO plant and five pilgrim shelters. They also witnessed the traditional performances of tribal in the open-air auditorium.

Meanwhile, the administration has declared local holidays for agency areas of Mulugu district on February 5 and 6. In addition to this, February 7 has been declared holiday for the entire Mulugu district. It may be mentioned here that the four-day jatara is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 5.