Sammakka Saralamma Jathara-2024
Sammakka Saralamma Jathara is the world’s largest tribal festival. Placed in Medaram, a small village in the Mulugu district of Telangana, India, it is widely celebrated in honour of the goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma, who are believed to be the protectors of the local tribal community. The festival is celebrated every two years and attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the country. During this festival, devotees gather in the village to offer prayers and perform rituals. It is marked by a procession of devotees carrying the goddesses’ idols on their heads.
The procession is accompanied by traditional music and dance performances. The festival also includes a variety of cultural activities such as folk dances, traditional music, and theatrical performances like Yakshgana. This place also attracts exhibition of variety of stalls selling traditional food,handicrafts and is a major tourist attraction while being considered to be one of the most important tribal festivals in India. It is also a great opportunity for people to learn about the culture and traditions of the local tribal community.
Tribal festival/Jathara- when and where this year:
The Jathara takes place according to the Hindu lunar calendar. Observed in the Magh month (February), it is a biannual festival that attracts millions of people around the country. It begins five days before the full moon and continues till Purnima.
The 2024 Medaram Jatara is scheduled to take place from 21st to 24th February. It is expected to be attended by more than 2 crores/20 million(In 2022-2.5 million attendance recorded) devotees from all over the country. All the rituals related to the festival are conducted by the Koya Tribal head priests in accordance with their cultures, customs and traditions of the Koya heritage. During last few weeks after this year’s sankranthi, more than 50Lakhs devotees completed their holy visits.
Popular for witnessing one of the largest public attendance in the world, this Jathara/Mela begins from the lands of Medaram in Telangana and continues to other places in the Tadwai forest region. It is considered one of the most popular and celebrated festivals of Telangana in nook and corner of the state. The festival is celebrated with great zeal and devotion and is a great way to experience the vibrant culture of the tribals. It is a great way to connect with the local people and learn about their social customs and traditional beliefs.
Sammakka Saralamma Jathara-2024: History and Popular Belief’s of devotees
The history behind these festivities ages back to the 13th century, to the fight of a mother and daughter against an unjust law. Samakka being the mother and Saralamma being the daughter. It is widely believed that about 6-7 centuries ago, some tribal leaders went for a routine hunt and found a newborn girl with an aura around her encircled with a group of tigers. The leaders took the little girl back to their habitation and named her Samakka. Sammakka then became the chieftain and gradually turned to be a saviour to all the tribes of the region.
Later, Sammakka became a beautiful young woman who was mastered in martial and governing skills. She was married to Pagididda Raju, the feudatory tribal chief of the then-ruling Kakatiya dynasty. After a few years of their marriage, they were blessed with two daughters, Saralamma and Nagulamma, and a son Jampanna.
When the king of the Kakatiya Dynasty imposed taxes on the Koya Tribe, Pagididda Raju, the feudal tribal chief, was unable to pay them. As a result, the king declared war on the Koya Tribe and the tribal leader was killed fighting the battle. Angered with grief, Sammakka entered the field along with her children. When she was almost about to win, Saralamma and Jampanna died in the attack. He fell bleeding into the stream nearby named Sampangi. Sammakka later went to a hill called Chilakala Gutta all alone and manifested into a vermilion casket or Kumkum Bharani.
After this incident, the Koya tribe and all devotees believe that Sammakka and Saralamma were manifestations of mother goddess/Devi Aadi Parashakti, and thus they worship them during this festival. The entire celebration takes place on the stream’s banks where Jampanna fell, now known as the Jampanna Vaagu.
Sammakka Saralamma Jathara-2024: History of The Tribe
The Koya tribe is the largest Adivasi tribe in Telangana, India and is listed as a Scheduled Tribe in the state. This community is spread across the Telugu-speaking states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Koyas commonly refer to themselves as Dorala Sattam (Lords group) and Putta Dora (original lords). In their dialect, Koyas refer to themselves as “Koitur”, similar to the way Gonds refer to themselves.
They are an indigenous tribal group who have been living in this region for centuries. Loyas are unique in their culture, language, and traditions, they are also known for their traditional art forms such as painting, carving, and weaving. The Koya is mainly concentrated in the erstwhile districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam, and Nalgonda. They are also found in the neighbouring states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Their traditional cuisine includes dishes such as dal, rice, and vegetables. They are known to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables and wear their traditional clothing which is made from cotton and jute.
A vibrant community, they have managed to preserve their culture and traditions despite the changing times. They are an important part of the Telangana culture and are an integral part of the state’s history.
Sammakka Saralamma Jathara-2024: What is their Habitat & Livelihood?
The Godavari and Sabari rivers have a profound influence on the economic, social, and cultural life of the Koyas. These rivers provide them with a reliable source of water for irrigation, which is essential for their agricultural activities. They also provide a means of transportation for goods and services, as well as a source of fish and other aquatic resources. The Koyas grow a variety of crops such as jowar, ragi, bajra, and other millets. In addition, they are involved in the production of traditional handicrafts such as baskets, mats, and pottery. The rivers also provide a spiritual connection to the Koyas, as they are believed to be the abode of their ancestors.
What is their Language?
Many Koya people have forgotten their Koya dialect and adopted Telugu as their mother tongue, but some in other parts still speak the Koya dialect. This is a reminder of the importance of preserving the language and culture of a people, as it is a part of their identity. It is important to recognize the value of the Koya dialect and to ensure that it is not lost to future generations.
Sammakka Saralamma Jathara-2024: How to reach and arrangements from Government of Telangana
All the pilgrims, devotees may reach Medaram using public transport as well as private transport. Pilgrims can reach Warangal or Kazipet railway stations and opt for public transport from Warangal and Hanamkonda bus stations. Private vehicle devotees should follow police instructions and adhere to the traffic diversions and parking lots.
Telangana tourism department launched private helicopter facilities(HeliTaxi) from Hyderabad to Medaram- two way transport arrangements.
Government of Telangana allotted a budget of Rs.100 crores in making the arrangements and hassle-free devotee visits near the temple premises. Apart from that, Telangana Road transport corporation announced more than 6500 special buses from all major cities in Telangana. It is expected that due to free bus service scheme announced by newly elected congress government, lakhs of woman devotees would perform their holy visits during this time.
Major bus stations in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Uppal, Warangal, Karimnagar, Nalgonda, Mancherial, Hanamkonda, Siddipet, Khammam, Mahabubabad have announced to setup helpline centres near Medaram.
Telangana Police completed all police picketing as well as control room centres in order to smothen the pilgrims during Jathara.
Municipal authorities completed all drinking water, Prasadam, Free food(Annadanam) and all sanitary as well as bathing arrangements near Jampanna Vagu for the devotees. Special state disaster management, medical staff ad para- military staff were deployed for the convenience of the pilgrims.
21st Feb 2024:
Half a Million of Pilgrims completed their holy visits on 21st February 2024.