Sea of humanity at Medaram

Medaram (Mulugu): It's virtually a sea of humanity at Sammakka Saralamma jatara with lakhs of devotees descending on Medaram on the first day of the four-day carnival on Wednesday. The four-kilometre road leading to Medaram from Kannepally was packed with devotees waiting for the arrival of Goddess Saralamma to the altar, locally known as 'gadde'. The devotees appeared like they were in trance as the deity made her way to the altar amid a frenzied atmosphere with the hereditary tribal priest Kaka Saraiah heading the rituals. While the priests invoked the Goddess Saralamma, the devotees waiting outside have gone agog dancing to the drumbeats of aboriginals.

As per the tradition, jatara commenced with the tribal priests taking out the presiding deity - Saralamma – in the form of vermillion in a Kumkum bharani (casket) and turmeric in a procession to Medaram altars from Kannepally.

It was indeed tough for the police to control the frantic devotees who kept trying to touch the priests involved in the procession. The devotees especially those suffering from protracted illness and the issueless women were seen rolling on the road with folded hands so that the priests who were heading to the altars trudge over them, believing that it would fulfil their ambition. It's known as 'varam' pattadam. The procession which started at around 4 pm continued till 9 pm with the priests reaching the altars crossing the Jampannavagu stream.

Meanwhile, the tribal priests had also reached Medaram bringing Saralamma's husband Govindarajulu from Kondai under Eturunagaram Mandal. Govindarajulu was placed alongside deity Saralamma. Govindarajulu who is in the form of 'Pagida' was treated as the groom ready for the wedding. The Penuka clan priests carried Pagididdaraju. First Pagididdaraju was placed on his altar followed by Goddess Saralamma and her husband Govindarajulu. Later, the ritual for the celestial wedding of Sammakka with Pagididdaraju was begun and it will be completed on Thursday after the arrival of Sammakka at her altar from Chilakalagutta.