IANS
TELANGANA, FEBruary 17
Hundreds of thousands of people have reached Medaram in Warangal district for Sammakka Sarakka jatara, India’s largest tribal fair, which began on Wednesday.
Devotees, both tribal and non-tribal, from different parts of Telangana and other states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and AKarnataka are participating in the four-day fair, also known as Medaram jatra.
Medaram and surrounding villages in the forest, about 100 km from district headquarters, have turned into sea of humanity for the tribal festival, organised once in two years. Men and women took a dip in Jampanna stream, which they believe wash away their sins.
Devotees belonging to different states and speaking different languages throng the forests to pay obeisance to tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka.
The unique rituals, which include devotees offering jaggery to the deities, will begin Wednesday night with the customary arrival of Sarakka’s image from Kannepally village which will be placed on a platform.
The image idol covered in red cloth was brought in a vessel laden with vermilion and turmeric powder.
The festival, which marks the celebration of tribal traditions, has grown in size during last few years with authorities making elaborate arrangements for the transport of the devotees and smooth conduct of the mega event.
Officials expect more than 10 million people to participate in the festival this year.
