Mini-Medaram jatara begins

WARANGAL: Elaborate arrangements have been made for the Mini Jatara lasting four days from Feb 1 to 4, said Tribal Welfare Minister Satyavathi Rathode after offering prayers at the Medaram temple in Thadvai mandal of Mulugu district on Wednesday.

A mini version of the mega tribal fair, the Sammakka and Saralamma Jatara, began on a grand note on Wednesday. A large number of devotees thronged Medaram to offer prayers to the presiding deities.

The state government conducts the Sammakka and Saralamma jatara biennially at the Medaram temple while the temple priests conduct the mini-jatara in the intervening year for the convenience of the devotees.

Except for the bringing of the presiding deities of Sammakka and Saralamma from Kannepalli to Medaram to mark the mega Jatara held biennially, the remaining rituals are followed during the mini-Medaram Jatara held in the Magamasam every year.

The tribal priests offered special prayers to the temple and devotees along with Shiva Sattulu, thronging the temple, worshipped the goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma (the Gaddelu present at Medaram temple) with turmeric, jaggery and vermillion as a part of the Manda Melige festival.

The festival is celebrated on the first day of the mini-Jatara ritual at the Medaram temple.

Minister Satyavathi said the state government made elaborate arrangements for the festival and was expecting around five lakh devotees for the mini-Medaram Jatara this year. The government allotted Rs 3.10 crore for the purpose.

Provisions for pure drinking water, electricity, temporary toilets, tents and bathing ghats, maintenance of sanitation at the temple and in the surrounding areas along with decorating the temple beautifully with the flowers were made for the four days of the Jatara.