Mini Sammakka and Saralamma Jatara Begins at Medaram

Warangal(Mulugu): The Mini Sammakka and Saralamma Jatara, a major tribal festival held in the intervening year between the Mega-Medaram Jatara, started on Wednesday with traditional rituals. Coinciding with Magha Shuddha Purnima, temple priests performed the ‘Manda Meliga’ ritual, marking the beginning of the festivities at Medaram in Tadvai mandal.

In ceremonies to purify the sacred grounds (Gaddelu) and temples in Medaram and Kannepalli, the priests conducted special prayers to the village deities and Bodrayee idols. As part of the customary practices, they set up “Disti Toranas” — ritualistic protective barriers — at the village entrance. A vibrant procession accompanied by rhythmic drumbeats and decorated temporary Thoranum, adorned with mango leaves and garlands, was organised to ward off negative energies and ensure a safe environment throughout the Jatara.

Devotees began gathering at the temple early in the morning, creating an atmosphere charged with enthusiasm. The temple priests, along with their families, will guard the Gaddelu with a night halt on Wednesday, after which blessings and sacred tokens will be exchanged to mark the official start of the Mini-Jatara. In addition to the ritual involving the tribal goddesses, regular prayers and a sequence of ceremonies will continue, ensuring the event unfolds with its full spiritual significance.

The festival is drawing an overwhelming turnout not only from the Telugu-speaking states but also from Maharashtra, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. Devotees flocked to Jampanna Vagu to take holy dips and then proceeded to offer prayers to the forest deities. At the sacred Gaddelu, offerings such as turmeric, kumkum, and gold are being distributed.

The Medaram region is abuzz with excitement as the Jatara fosters spiritual unity among diverse communities. The state government has allocated Rs 5.30 crore for the organising of the event. Under the leadership of district collector T.S. Divakaran, special facilities — including designated areas for holy baths, changing rooms for women, water supply, queuing lines, and mobile sanitation units — have been arranged at Jampanna Vagu. To further facilitate the influx of devotees, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation has deployed 200 special buses, while the district superintendent of police Shabarish has directed the deployment of 1,000 police officers to ensure smooth and secure proceedings during the festival.