Hyderabad
World’s largest tribal fair, the Sammakka Sarakka Jathara, second only to Kumbh in numbers, started in Telangana’s Mulugu district with thousands of devotees paying obeisance to the two tribal deities.
Officials said over 2 crore people are expected to visit the Jathara over the next one week with about 50 lakh devotees having already visited Medaram since the last few days. As many as 14,000 police personnel have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the festival.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended greetings on the start of the Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara and also paid tributes to the two tribal dieties Sammakka-Sarakka recalling the spirit of unity and valour they personify.
“Greetings on the start of the Sammakka-Sarakka Medaram Jathara, one of the largest tribal festivals, and a vibrant manifestation of the enduring spirit of our cultural heritage. This Jathara is a great fusion of devotion, tradition and community spirit. We bow to Sammakka-Sarakka and recall the spirit of unity and valour they personify,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
The Prime Minister had last year announced the setting up of a Central University named after the tribal Goddesses in Telangana.
The Rituals
The event conducted by tribal priests got underway late on Tuesday with the customary arrival of Sarakka’s image from Kannepally village and placed on a platform in Medaram. The image idol covered in red cloth was brought in a vessel full of vermilion and turmeric powder.
The full-scale Jathara will begin on Wednesday evening when the tribal priests bring the deity Sammakka from Chilkalgutta hillocks. For one day on Thursday, both the deities will adorn the altar and hence, it is considered the most auspicious day for the devotees.
The idols of Sarakkaa’s father Pagidigidda Raju and husband Govinda Raju will also be brought to Medaram.
The poor tribals offer jaggery of their weight considering it to be gold. They also offer red blouse pieces, vermilion, and turmeric to the deities in large quantities. They take a little part of the same as prasadam from the altar back to their homes.
The Beliefs
Men and women in wet clothes sleep across the path wishing the tribal priests carrying Sarakka to walk over them as they considered it as a good omen.
Devotees take a holy dip at Jampanna Vagu as it is believed it heals all the diseases. The priests also wade through the stream avoiding the bridge as per tradition. They then proceed to Kannepalli village.
Jampanna Vagu is a tributary of Godavari river. Jampanna was the tribal warrior and the son of tribal Goddess Sammakka who was killed in a war with the Kakatiya Army. The tribals believe that a dip in the stream washes off their sins.
If You Plan To Travel
The South Central Railway (SCR) will operate 30 special train services to meet the pilgrim rush between February 21 and February 24.
Special trains are also being operated from different places to Warangal station, which is the nearest railway station to reach Medaram.
The State Tourism Department has introduced helicopter services for pilgrims from Hyderabad. Passengers can avail VIP darshan, including a round trip, at a cost of Rs 28,999 per person. An aerial view ride over the fair is priced at Rs 4,800 per individual.
The Arrangements
The TSRTC expects to transport about 50 lakh people operating 6,000 buses. Rest are expected to arrive by hundreds of private vehicles.
The Revanth Reddy government has allocated Rs 110 crore for the conduct of the grand event. Police and revenue departments have installed 700 CCTV cameras. Parking arrangements for 10 lakh vehicles at 40 places around the village have been made.
The Legend
Legend has it that Sammakka had miraculous powers. One story that is much told about is that during 13th century, a troop from the Koya tribal community was returning from a trip when they saw a little girl playing with tigers. Amazed at her bravery, the head of the troop adopted her and named her Sammakka.
She later married the headman of a neighbouring tribal group and had a daughter, Sarakka. Both mother and daughter opposed the Kakatiya kings who forced the tribes to pay taxes. They fought bravely and reportedly lost their lives.
According to local lore, Sammakka who was fatigued in the war went above the Chilukalagutta hillocks and disappeared. The Adivasis who reportedly went in search of her only found a casket of vermilion under a bamboo tree. The Koya community constructed a temple as token of gratitude and since then the event of Sammakka Sarakka Jathara is held biennially.
It is the State Festival of Telangana. The Jathara was initially celebrated mostly by the Koya tribals. But over the years, devotees from many other tribes also started celebrating the festivals. Even non-tribals come here in huge numbers. It is a festival with no Vedic or Brahminic influence.
Devotees, both tribal and non-tribal, from different parts of Telangana and other states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka participate in the four-day fair.
Once every two years, the tribal priests offer prayers at the bamboo grove and bring a casket of vermilion and bamboo stick wrapped in red cloth symbolising Sammakka, whom they consider their deity. After three days, they take back the deities and leave them in the forest until the next Jatara.
