Sammakka-Sarakka mini-Jatara to be held from Feb 8

Bhupalpalli: Medaram Sammakka-Sarakka mini-Jatara is scheduled to be held from February 8 to 11.During a meeting a couple of days ago, a group of tribal priests led by Siddaboina Jagga Rao have finalised the dates for conducting the mini-jatara at Medaram in SS Tadwai mandal in the district. It might be noted that the main and bi-annual jatara would take place next year.

Conducting mini-jatara has become a practice in recent years as the devotees have been visiting the village to offer prayers every year. The practice of conducting mini-jatara came into vogue since 1996.According to Jagga Rao, about six lakh devotees would visit during the mini-jatara. Dwajasthambhams (flag poles) will be set up in four directions at the village on February 8 and 'Mandamelige Pandaga' would be organised on the same day.

The priests would conduct special prayers on February 9 and the devotees could offer prayers to the tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka on the next day. On February 11, ‘Vana Pravesham’ of the goddesses would take place.In recent meeting with the district officials, District Collector A Murali has directed them to make arrangements for the convenience of the devotees arriving at the village. He wanted them to ensure proper supply of drinking water, sanitation and electricity at the village.

He also directed the officials to submit reports on the work estimates for the bi-annual jatara to be held in February 2018. Since there were 18 months left for the conduct of the jatara the officials of different departments should work in coordination in identifying the works and preparing the estimates.The estimates should be submitted to the district administration by January 16. It has been decided to set up five dumping yards and engage 5,000 sanitation workers for the next jatara to ensure proper sanitation.