Warangal As Spiritual Epicenter, Gears Up For Festivals

Millions of devotees from outside are expected to converge in this region for the celebrations, especially for the Medaram Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara in the last week of January, hailed as the Kumbh-Mela of the South.

Major Shaivite festivals are also under way. The Kothakonda Veerabhadra Swamy Jatara, celebrated on a small hillock in Bhimadevarapalli mandal of Hanamkonda district, invokes the fierce form of Lord Shiva.

The Brahmotsavams began on January 10 with a celestial wedding. Major rituals like the Maha Lingarachana on January 13 and fire-waking (Agni Gundalu) the next day take the region to the festival’s spiritual climax.

Last year, the Jatara recorded a footfall of 26 lakh people, and the numbers keep increasing year after year.

The historic Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Inavolu would host its grand Brahmotsavam during the Sankranti season. The festivities officially kicked-off on Tuesday. The highlights include Bhogi on January 14 and the iconic Prabha Bandla Pradakishna (decorated card procession) the next day. While the main fair is in mid-January, the temple would continue to draw devotees for three months until Ugadi, hosting over 30 lakh devotees annually.

The Lingagiri Sri Lakshmi Chennekashava Swamy Jatara begins on January 13 in Chennaraopet mandal. This traditional four-day festival began on a grand note with annual Brahmostavam and holy Abhishekam. Highlights are the celestial wedding of Goda Ranganatha Swamy on January 14 (Bhogi) and the grand Prabha Bandlu on January 15 Sankranti. The festival concludes on January 16 with a colourful Shobhayatra.

As the largest tribal gathering in Asia, the Kumbh Mela of South expects a footfall of over 10 million devotees. The state has allocated `261 crore to develop the temple and its surrounding infrastructure. January 28 marks the arrival of Goddess Sarakka, January 20 the grand arrival of Sammakka from Chilakalgutta, January 30 the peak day being set for offerings and January 31 the Vanapravesham.

Beyond the major events, several other localized festivals and jataras would add to the spiritual frenzy. These include local jataras of Mini-Medaram in Agrampahad, Gattu Mallanna in Mallikudurla, Katta Mallanna in Gorrekunta and Oorugonda Mallanna in Atmakur mandal.

To assist the sea of humanity, the authorities have deployed thousands of special RTC buses, established 24 hour-medical camps at various locations where the local festivities are held, in case of emergency, along with providing tight police security.