WARANGAL: The historic Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, which is held at Medaram village in Tadvai mandal, is also held at other venues in the district. While many of these temples are located in the interior, they still attract devotees from neighbouring villages.
There are numerous other places where mini-jataras are held. The state government is taking the Medaram jatara very seriously as it is being held for the first time in Telangana state. The district administration is also putting in efforts to provide adequate facilities for devotees.
Of all the other villages where this mini jatara is held, Agrampad in Atmakur mandal attracts a majority of devotees about 20 lakh as it is only 17 km from the district headquarters. Construction work undertaken is nearing completion. New flooring and compound wall works at the Jatara venue were taken up this year.
“People believe that the Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma will be present here during the time of Maghasudha pournami. Some come to escape the heavy rush at Medaram. Couples seek to be blessed with children while young girls pray for good life partners,” said G. Sarangapani, chief priest of the Thodalamma temple where this mini jatara is held.
The state government also sanctioned Rs 1.5 crore for providing facilities to devotees in other mini-jatara locations, such as Gaddemuttharam in Chityala, Regonda, Thirumalagiri, Bhupala-palli, Kamalapur, Jogam-palli and Shyampet.
Collector Vakati Karuna directed officials to ensure that the construction work was completed at these locations too before the jatara began. “We are giving priority to sanitation and toilets,” she said.
Mini-Medarams for Singareni employees
The concept of mini- Medarams were introduced reportedly by the management of SCCL.
Adilabad: Singareni has been encouraging mini- Medaram jataras at local level in coal belt areas for the last 17 years in north Telangana to prevent workers from going to Medaram jatara in Warangal to achieve their coal production.
The concept of mini- Medarams were introduced reportedly by the management of SCCL following the drastic fall in the coal production in SCCL during Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara in the past as thousands of workers from coal belt area go to Warangal for more days to fulfil their vows (mokkulu) to Sammakka Sarala-mma.
Those who could not go to Warangal can offer their vows at mini-Medarams locally. Writer Lingala Rajasammaiah of Bellampalli town who wrote a book on ‘Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Kathanjali’ said, a group of families in their colony in the early ’80s used to go to Medaram in bullock carts through thick forests braving roaming tigers and panthers en route to Medaram. Earlier the Medaram Jatara used to be held once in five years and later reduced to three years and now once in two years. People used to name their children after Sammakka Saralamma and even today the practice is prevalent in the coal belt area.
He said Sammakka and Saralamma are their house goddesses for thousands of devotees especially from lower communities and they worship the Adivasi goddesses.
Rtc to ply special buses
40 express buses will be handed over to Warangal region for local arrangement.
NIZAMABAD: The TSRTC, Nizama-bad region is geared up to run special buses for biennial Medaram Jatara from February 14 to 21. Around 225 Palle Velugu buses will be pressed into service for Jatara from six depots in the district. Meanwhile, 40 express buses will be handed over to Warangal region for local arrangement.
Regional manager Ramakanth had already conducted meetings with depot managers and staff over preparedness for Medaram Jatara. Direct bus services to Medaram will be available on February 14, 15 and 16. Remaining days, the buses will be available for selective points en route Jatara. TSRTC earned '1.36 crore income during last
Medaram Jatara and hoping for more revenue this time too. Nizamabad region officials arrange special buses to Medaram, Vemulawada, Basar, Limbadri gutta and Bada pahad during festivals and jataras’. RTC bus drivers, conductors and mechanics are busy with the arrangements for Sammakka, Sarala-mma Jatara at Medaram.
