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Demand for national status for Medaram Jatara growing
Even as the historic Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram assumed global significance with ever increasing popularity and patronage, the unique tribal fair is yet to secure the status of National Festival. The Jatara, which is basically known to be a tribal festival, is being attended by millions of devotees belonging to all communities, castes and religions.
Warangal: Even as the historic Sammakka Saralamma Jatara at Medaram assumed global significance with ever increasing popularity and patronage, the unique tribal fair is yet to secure the status of “National Festival.” The Jatara, which is basically known to be a tribal festival, is being attended by millions of devotees belonging to all communities, castes and religions.
Though the celebration of divinity of tribal warriors Sammakka Saralamma began in 13th century, it was in 1968 the government took up responsibility of conducting the biannual event. It is believed that after Kumbh Mela, Medaram Jatara witnesses largest congregation of devotees in the country. An estimated one crore devotees attended the jatara in 2014.
This time the rush of devotees has already begun and more than one crore devotees are expected to visit Medaram to offer prayers.
Recognising the importance of the festival twenty years ago in the year 1996, the then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu has accorded the status of “State Festival” to the jatara following a public demand.
Medaram, which has become the centre of biggest religious activity, should be accorded the status of National Festival. In order to promote festival further at national level and to get funds from the centre it should be made a National Festival, demanded former MLA Seetakka of TDP.
Everyone endorse the fact that the festival is the biggest tribal event in Asia with global significance; nonetheless no serious efforts are being made to achieve national status. The TRS leaders who in the past often made this demand are now silent, she complained.
The State government should immediately take up with the Centre theissue, Seetakka said.
Meanwhile, Tribal Welfare Minister A Chandulal told The Hans India that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had agreed to address a letter to the Centre seeking “National Festival” status to the jatara. The TRS MPs would also meet the PM, Narendra Modi in this connection. ‘If the CM gives the letter to the Centre the issue would be finalised,’ he asserted.
On the other hand, Prof A Seetaram Naik, the TRS MP from Mahabubabad constituency under whose limits Medaram falls said efforts are being made to achieve national status to the festival by 2018 that is during the next jatara.
