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Medaram set to witness jana jatara
Medaram, tucked away in deep and serene forests under SS Tadwai mandal in Warangal district, is all set to hold the first Sammakka Saralamma Jatara in Telangana state.
SAMmAKKA-SARALAMMA FESTIVITIES FROM TODAY
- State government releases 154.5 crore to conduct the festival on grand scale
- Not less than 1.30 crore devotees visit Jatara and offer prayers
Medaram (Warangal): Medaram, tucked away in deep and serene forests under SS Tadwai mandal in Warangal district, is all set to hold the first Sammakka Saralamma Jatara in Telangana state.
Medaram is 110 km away from the district headquarters. All the roads are leading to the village. A huge number of devotees have already arrived at the village and more pilgrims will reach the village as the historic Jatara is to begin on Wednesday.
A sea of humanity drawn from different parts of the country, cultures, different languages and varied traditional background throng this place for four days between February 17 and 20 and offer prayers to tribal goddess. Not less than 1.30 crore devotees are expected to visit Medaram. Officials estimate that as many as 30 lakh devotees have already visited.
The jatara, sans idols, is mainly a tribal fest where the deities Sammakka and Saralamma are venerated by the tribal people from across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and neighbouring Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and other States.
For the tribal men and women on the pilgrimage to Medaram the event holds a great spiritual significance and they maintain a religious regime keeping away from their daily routines.
It is a firm belief of tribal people that spirits of the deities will descend on Medaram during celebration. The jatara, a unique in nature in the entire world, draws non-tribal devotees too.
The tribal or a non-tribal all come here with a sole intention of showing their devotion to the legendary Koya tribal warriors Sammakka and Saralamma who attained martyrdom fighting the imperial armies of the Kakatiya ruler Pratapa Rudra eight hundred years ago.
They later became saints for the tribal folks. The main offering being made here is jaggery, which devotees call “Bangaram” (gold), besides vermillion.
According to the district Collector Vakati Karuna, a total of 30,000 personnel and officials of all departments were deployed to ensure smooth conduct of Jatara.
Keeping in mind the importance of the Jatara, the first one to be held after formation of separate Telangana State, the State government allocated Rs 154.5 crore to conduct the festival on grand scale.
