Sammakka Saralamma Jatara
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Sammakka Saralamma Jatara | |
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Official name | సమ్మక్క సారలమ్మ జాతర |
Also called |
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Observed by | Koya tribes |
Observances | Offering to the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma |
Frequency | every 2 years |
Sammakka Saralamma Jatara (also Sammakka Sarakka Jatara and Medaram Jatara)
Until 1955, about 2,000 people used to visit Medaram, of whom the majority (1,500) belonged to the Koya tribe. But now a large number of non-Koya pilgrims (1.3 crore) visit Medaram and the Koya people comprise only 2% of the total worshippers.[2]
Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the Deccan.
Once declared a national festival, the jatara can be considered for '
History
There are many legends about the miraculous powers of Sammakka. According to a 13th-century tribal legend, some tribal leaders on a hunt found a newborn girl (Sammakka) enveloped in light playing amidst tigers. They took her to the tribal chief, who adopted and raised her as a leader. She later became the saviour of the tribals of the region. She was married to Pagididda Raju, the tribal chief of the Koyas. Medaram was ruled by the
The jatara is a celebration to honour this sacrifice. The Kumkuma jar is brought to Medaram and people wash themselves in Jampanna Vaagu, followed by an offering of Jaggery to Sammakka and Saralamma.
Ritual
This Jatara is held Biannually i.e once in two years for four days. It starts with the arrival of the goddesses to Gaddelu in Medaram and ends with their vanapravēsham (entry into the forest).
Day 1 :- Wednesday
Sarakka's idol is carried from Kannepalli to Medaram. Pagididda Raju's idol is carried from Poonugondla to Medaram.
Day 2 :- Thursday
Sammakka's idol and the Kumkum casket are carried to Medaram (usually by midnight) after long secret pujas by the Koya tribes on Chilakala gutta (the hill where the Kumkum casket is kept). Govinda Raju's idol is carried from Kondai to Medaram.
Day 3 :- Friday (peak day of the Jatara) (believed to be the day Adi Parashakti is worshipped)
Sammakka and Sarakka, along with their respective spouses Pagididda Raju and Govinda Raju, are worshipped. Devotees bathe in Jampanna Vaagu and offer their weight in jaggery to Sammakka and Sarakka.
Day 4 :- Saturday
The Jatara ends with the "Tallula Vanapravēsham" (goddesses' entry into the forest) on Māgha Shuddha Pōōrnami. The Kumkum casket is carried back to Chilakala gutta and kept there until the next Jatara.
Sammakka Sarakka Jatara is a tribal
People offer bellam (jaggery) equal to their weight to the goddesses and take a holy dip in Jampanna Vagu (stream).
In 2008, nearly 8 million people were estimated to have attended the festival. And in 2012, the gatherings in the jatara are roughly estimated to be 10 million. This fair is said to be the largest repeating congregation of tribal communities in the world. It is also one of the largest Hindu gatherings in the world.
This Festival held in 2016 is the first one after the formation of Telangana state, and it took a greater significance with special attention from the state government.
Year | Month | Dates | Reference |
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2010 | January | 27 – 30 | |
2012 | February | 08 – 11 | |
2014 | February | 12 – 15 | |
2016 | February | 17 – 20 | |
2018 | January - February | 31 - 03 | |
2020 | February | 05 – 08 | |
2021 | February | 24 - 27 | After the jatara, the temple was closed for 21 days after 4 officials at the temple tested positive for COVID-19 |
2022 | February | 16 - 19 | |
2024 | February | 21 - 24 | |
2026 |
Jampanna Vagu
Jampanna Vagu, originally known as "Sampangi Vagu" is a tributary to the river
Offering Gold/ Jagri
Most people offer gold in the form of Jagri as gratitude for their wishes like getting marriage, having kids, jobs, business etc. Weight of the gold is based on the individual's weight. In the year 2024, CM of Telangana offered gold which weighed 65 Kgs. Based on historians, people used to carry jagri while traveling to the Medaram as it is good dehydrant and also Jagri is not available for tribals. it was so precious for them.
Transport
The Jatara venue is situated at about 100 km from Warangal, 160 km from Khammam, 170 km from Karimnagar, 190 km from Suryapet, 250 km from Hyderabad and 320 km from Rajahmundry (via Bhadrachalam & Manuguru).
Until 1978, the only way to reach Medaram was by a bullock cart. In 1978 then the Andhra Pradesh State Government declared the 1000-yr old festival as official and laid down a paved road. TSRTC runs multiple buses to the venue during the Jatara period. Also, many private vehicles render their services for plying the visitors and aerial view services (such as using a helicopter) are also provided during this festival.
The Jatara is very well facilitated with roads, potable water, sanitation, health and hygiene by the Government of Telangana.[3]
References
- ^ "Telangana Tourism - Visit for all reasons & all seasons". Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
- ^ "This little Telangana village hosts one of the biggest festivals: Sammakka Saralamma Jatara". The Hindu. TNN. 2 August 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ "Budget 2020 Highlights: This is what you got from Sitharaman's Bahi Khata". The Economic Times. 7 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 8 February 2020.