Largest tribal fair begins at Medaram

The much awaited festivities of biannual Sammakka Saralamma Jatara began in accordance with tribal traditions at Medaram on Wednesday.  The deity Saralamma was brought to the Gaddelu (the altar) at Medaram from Kannepalli village, 4 km away from the venue of the Jatara. The deity’s arrival marked the beginning of the historic Jatara.
Prior to embarking on the journey to Medaram. the tribal priests Bujanga Rao, Venkateshwarlu, Kanakamma and Laxmbhai led by chief priest Kaka Sammaiah, performed elaborate prayers at Saralamma Temple at Kannepalli.
Following the tradition, Joint Collector Prashanth J Patil invited the deity into Medaram village. The



endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy and MP A Seetaram Naik offered special prayers in front of the deity.
Many devotees after taking a holy dip in the nearby Jampannavagu and battery of taps, prostrated on the pathway on which the deity was taken out in a procession allowing the tribal priests to walk over them as a mark of respect and seeking the deity’s blessings.
After installing the deity Saralamma on the altar designated to her, the priests performed another round of special prayers. Sammakka husband Pagididdaraju, Saralamma husband Govindarajulu and Lashmi Devara, all connected to the legend of Medaram Jarara, also arrived at Gaddelu on Wednesday.