Sammakka arrives amid frenzied devotion

Medaram (Mulugu): The very sight of hereditary priests emerging from the enigmatic Chilukalagutta hilly forest with Goddess Sammakka in the form of Kumkum Bharani (vermillion casket) is one of those exhilarating moments in the biennial four-day jatara where lakhs of devotees congregate to have its glimpse.

The ritual began on Thursday with the tribal priests - Kokkera Kistaiah, Siddaboina Muninder, Siddaboina Swamy, Siddaboina Muthaiah and Siddaboina Arun - trekking to Chilukalagutta. The priests, who offered prayers to the deity Sammakka, brought the Kumkum Bharani.

It may be noted here that it was totally a private affair of the priests. It's said that there was a 200-metre tunnel (sorangam) and it was the place where the vermillion casket is located.

After their return from the hillock, the Superintendent of Police Sangramsingh G Patil fired three rounds of gunshots into the air signalling the arrival of Sammakka in a procession.

What that followed after that was a frenzied devotion with the devotees rolling on the road with folded hands so that the priests heading to altars walk over them. With the increasing crescendo of drumbeats, several women went into the trance as they were possessed by the deity.

Finally, the vermillion casket tied to a bamboo pole, representing Sammakka, was installed at the altars, known to be a big moment in the jatara. The legend has it that years of drought forced feudatory tribal king Pagididda Raju skip the tribute to Kakatiya rulers.

Angry over it, Kakatiya forces attacked the tribals on the banks of Sampenga Vagu. Pagididda, his son Jampanna, daughters Saralamma and Nagulamma, and Govindarajulu (Saralamma's husband) all die in the war.

It was left to Sammakka who gave Kakatiyas a run for their money. Finally, grievously injured Sammakka disappears into the thickets of Chilukalagutta, cursing Kakatiyas to perish and promising the tribals to protect them forever.

When her tribe Koyas searched for her they found a red ochre box, her bangles and pug marks of a tigress. Incidentally, it was exactly the place where she was found as an infant to a Koya dora. Since then, the Koyas and Vadderas have been holding the jatara in memory of Sammakka and Saralamma.