Mande Melige Ritual Marks Countdown to Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara
The celebrations will conclude on January 31 with the ‘Tirugu Vaaram’ rituals
WARANGAL: The festive spirit has gripped the tribal heartland of Medaram as the traditional Mande Melige ritual was celebrated with religious fervour in Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district on Wednesday.
The sacred ritual marks the formal countdown to the biennial Sammakka Saralamma jatara, often described as the Kumbh Mela of the South, scheduled to be held from January 28 to January 31.
Mande Melige is a crucial precursor to the jatara and is observed exactly a week before the presiding deities are ceremonially brought from the forest. Tribal priests belonging to the Siddaboina clan performed traditional purification rituals at the Sammakka temple in Medaram and the Saralamma temple in Kannepally.
Using water from the Jampanna Vagu and sacred anthill soil, the priests cleansed the temple premises and decorated the shrines with traditional rangolis (muggulu) in preparation for the arrival of the goddesses. As per Koya tribal customs, the temple entrances were adorned with arches of mango leaves, pumpkins and red chillies, believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure the well-being of devotees.
The atmosphere in Medaram, Kannepally, Kondai and Penugondla turned festive, with Adivasi families inviting daughters and relatives to their homes to take part in the centuries-old tradition.
With the main festivities beginning on January 28, the district administration has gone on high alert. More than three crore devotees from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha are expected to visit Medaram. To avoid heavy congestion during peak days, lakhs of pilgrims have already started arriving to offer prayers.
The jatara will reach its climax on January 28, when the deities Saralamma from Kannepally, Govindarajulu from Kondai and Pagididda Raju from Penugondla are brought to the main altar at Medaram. The celebrations will conclude on January 31 with the ‘Tirugu Vaaram’ rituals.
Meanwhile, the state government has made elaborate arrangements, including enhanced security and improved civic amenities, to manage the massive influx of devotees at the historic tribal congregation.