Sammakka consecrated on the altar

Medaram (Warangal): As the sun is setting and the full moon rising on the eastern horizon, a spirit of devotion descended on Medaram village on Thursday.

Tribal goddess Sammakka, who is vital to historic Medaram jatara, has descended from her sacred abode of Chilukalagutta hillock and was consecrated on the altar in accordance with the tradition. The tribal priest Kakkera Krishnaiah, accompanied by other priests of the tribal order, has brought the deity from the sacred hillock to the altar.

With the arrival of the deity, entire Medaram village leaped into a captivating state of spiritual bliss, which the devotees yearn for, more than anything else. The arrival of Sammakka completes the arrival of deities to the main place of worship and signals the commencement of making offerings.

Earlier in the day, the priests adorned the altar with the ‘Vanam’ (Bamboo shoots) as part of preparation for the consecration of the deity. Later in the evening, the priests conducted hours of ritualistic prayers as per the tradition at a secret place on Chilukalagutta.

Then the priest, who goes into a spiritual trance, carries the deity manifested in the form of a vermillion casket at ‘Nemalinara tree’ (Indian elm tree) on the hillock. It is at this tree the deity Sammakka last seen after she was wounded in the war with Kakatiya rulers eight centuries ago according to the legend. When the priests carrying vermilion casket came down from the hillock, the rural superintendent of police Lella Kalidas has fired three rounds into the air heralding the arrival of deity to the devotees. With that the devotees who queued up along the path leading from the hillock to the altar, shouted slogans hailing the deity.

The devotees vied with each other to touch the priest carrying the deity and police had tough time controlling the crowds. The stretch between the hillock and the altar was decorated with Rangoli and the sacrificial blood of slain hens and goats. On Friday, the devotees make offerings to the deities Sammakka and Saralamma, prior to their departure into the forests called ‘Vana Pravesham’, which takes place on Saturday. District Collector G Kishan, APNPDCL chairman and managing director Kartikeya Misra and others accompanied the priest.