Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara (Medaram Jatara)
Context:
The Sammakka-Saralamma Maha Jatara, often referred to as the "Kumbh Mela of the South," is a massive biennial tribal festival.
It is held in Medaram, a remote forest village in the Mulugu district of Telangana
Key Facts about the Festival:
It is regarded as Asia's largest tribal congregation.
The festival takes place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is celebrated primarily by the Koya tribe but attracts millions of devotees from various communities.
It is a biennial festival (held every two years).
It was declared a State Festival in 1998.
Historical Background:
The Jatara honors the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, against the unjust taxes and oppression of the Kakatiya rulers (12th Century AD).
Sammakka was found as an infant in the forest by Meda Raju (a local ruler) and raised there.
She married Pagididdaraju.
The family, including their children (Saralamma, Jampanna, and Nagulamma), died fighting the Kakatiya army during a severe drought when the tribe could not pay taxes.
Key Rituals & Deities:
Sammakka:
The central deity.
Her arrival from Chilakalagutta (a hillock) in the form of a vermilion casket is the spiritual climax of the festival.
Saralamma:
The daughter, brought from Kannepally village.
Jampanna Vagu:
Devotees take a holy dip in the Jampanna Vagu stream (a tributary of the Godavari).
It is named after Jampanna (Sammakka's son), who is believed to have died in the stream while fighting, turning its water red with his blood.
"Bangaram" (Gold):
The unique offering in this festival is Jaggery.
Devotees offer jaggery equal to their body weight (known as Thulabharam) to the goddesses, referring to it as "Bangaram" (Gold).
Unique State Honour:
Traditionally, the District Superintendent of Police (SP) welcomes Goddess Sammakka by firing rounds into the air with an AK-47 rifle.