Gandhari Maisamma Jatara from today

​Mancherial: The stage is all set to conduct ‘Gandhari Maisamma Jatara’ at Gandhari Khilla (Gandhari Fort) on the outskirts of Bokkalagutta village in Mandamarri mandal. The three-day Jatara starts from Friday (February 10).

The fort, which has Gandhari Maisamma temple, was built within a dense forest, which has a rich flora and fauna including many medicinal herbs. Students also visit the area to study these plants and make herbarium specimens.

There are three main entrances to the fort, which are carved out of stone. The fort contains idols of Kala Bhairava Swamy, Lord Siva, Lord Ganesh and Hanuman. The way to the fort atop the hill was built in such a way that horses and elephants can trek the hill.

There’s an eight-foot tall Naga Seshu idol carved out of a single rock. The fort’s magnificent architecture, defensive constructions, bathing tanks and sculpture leaves visitors spellbound.

There are three wells, which never dries up even during severe summer. There is also another well named as ‘Yenugula Bavi’ (Elephants Well).

The well is designed in such a way that elephants and horses can quench thirst by reaching the well through steps.

Tribals from various districts including Gonds, Naikpod, Koyas, Mannes and devotees from neighbouring states flock the Jatara. The jatara was suspended in 1998 due to a murder incident that took place during the celebrations.

Tribal leaders, various people’s organisations and public representatives appealed to the successive governments for renewal of the festival.

Thanks to the positive response from the TRS government, the festival had returned in all its pomp in 2016 after 17 long years.

With the funds released by the government, a BT road was laid up to the adobe of the deity, drinking water points were set up at several places and an approach road to the hill was also laid.

By: Arun Kumar