Medaram JataraThe “Sammakka Saralamma Jatara” is a vibrant festival held in Telangana, India, dedicated to honoring Hindu Tribal goddesses. This grand celebration takes place in the Medaram village, located in the picturesque Mulugu district, and is renowned for drawing one of the largest crowds in the world. What makes this festival truly unique is that all the rituals and ceremonies dedicated to the goddesses are carried out by the respected Koya Tribe priests, following their time-honored customs and traditions. It’s a mesmerizing and culturally rich event you won’t want to miss!

Key Points

Until 1955, Medaram used to see around 2,000 visitors, with the majority being from the Koya tribe, accounting for 1,500 of them. Fast forward to today, and Medaram welcomes a whopping 13 million visitors, with Koya tribe members making up only 2% of the total worshippers. Medaram is a remote gem nestled within the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of the expansive Dandakaranya forest, the largest forest belt in the Deccan. This unique celebration, known as the Jatara, was once declared a national festival and is now being considered for recognition as an ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’ by UNESCO. The Jatara takes place during the time when the tribal goddesses, Sammakka and Saralamma, are revered.

Significant Devotee Gathering: The Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is renowned for drawing a massive crowd of devotees, believed to be second only to the Kumbha Mela in terms of participation.

Diverse Attendees: This grand event doesn’t just attract tribal communities from all over the country, it also brings together non-Adivasi individuals.

Government Investment: To ensure the success of this biennial celebration, the state government has invested approximately Rs 364 crore in organizing and facilitating various arrangements.

Union Ministry Support: The Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs has contributed Rs 2.26 crore to support the Medaram Jatara.

Thorough Preparations: The district administration and the police in Mulugu have meticulously organized essential amenities such as drinking water, sanitation facilities, parking areas, traffic management, and police outposts to ensure a smooth and safe event experience.

History

According to local legend from eight centuries ago, there was a tribal king named Medaraju who ruled the areas along the Godavari River. Unfortunately, due to a severe drought, he couldn’t pay the required royalty to the Kakatiya kings in the region. This refusal was seen as a challenge to the Kakatiya rulers, and they invaded Medaraju’s land, leading to a tragic battle in which Medaraju and his daughters, Sammakka and Sarakka, lost their lives. The indigenous community believes that Sammakka and Sarakka transformed into vermilion containers. Sammakka’s container was discovered near a bamboo grove on a hill, while Sarakka’s was found in Kannepalli village, located about 4 kilometers away from Medaram.

• Every two years, tribal communities gather to offer their prayers at the bamboo grove. They bring back a sacred casket filled with vermilion and bamboo sticks, wrapped in vibrant red cloth. This act symbolizes the return of Sammakka and Sarakka, and both are reverently placed under an ancient Indian elm tree in Medaram village to mark the start of a four-day celebration. At the conclusion of the festivities, these symbolic items are returned to the forest.
• During this joyful event, the tribal people make unique offerings. They present jaggery equal to their own weight, which serves as a substitute for gold. Additionally, they offer pieces of red cloth, vermilion, and turmeric to honor the deities. It’s a beautiful tradition that brings the community together to celebrate their faith and culture.

Summary

• India’s tribal celebrations are a visual delight that has endured for generations. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs plays a crucial role in safeguarding the heritage of these tribal communities.
• Its main mission is to protect and preserve these unique cultures. In modern India, there’s a concerning lack of awareness about our diverse cultural heritage and tribal roots.
• It’s essential that we understand the significance of the festivals we partake in, such as Makar Sankranti and Modamba festival, through a simple history lesson. By doing so, we can ensure that our nation’s rich history isn’t overshadowed by the mere enjoyment of food, camaraderie, and social pleasantries during these festivals.

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