Latest news on Medaram jathara

Tribal priests managing the Sammakka Sarakka Jatara have decided to conduct the religious event on their own this year, from February 20 to 23.

The biennial event is officially conducted by the State government on a massive scale with lakhs of devotees making a beeline to Medaram village to pay homage to tribal mother-daugher warrior duo Sammakka and Sarakka who went down fighting the imperial Kakatiya kings 800 years ago.

Giving in to devotees’ demand, the tribal priests will hold the fair on a small scale from February 20 to 23 every other year when the government does not conduct it.

The jatara begins with the deity of Sarakka, in the form of a casket of vermilion, being brought by priests from a temple in Kannepalli village near Medaram. After performing pujas, the deity is installed on the gaddelu (altar) in the evening.

On the second day, priests carry the most revered deity, Sammakka from the Chilakalgutta hillocks. Carrying a vermilion casket and a bamboo pole wrapped in a red colour saree, considered the deity possessed with magic powers, the priests rush towards the altar. The time when both Sammakka and Sarakka adorn the altar is considered the most auspicious.

The festival concludes with priests taking away the deities to their respective places.

Speaking to The Hindu, Superintendent of Police R. Bhaskaran said appropriate arrangements would be made for the devotees while ITDA and Rural Water Supply will also pitch in for the visitors’ comfort.