Amid religious fervor in Medaram, a large number of devotees await the arrival of the tribal deity Saralamma, who is brought from Kannapella, about 5 km from the Medaram tribal shrine, to the sacred platform at the Sammakka–Saralamma tribal shrine on Wednesday. Her arrival marks the beginning of the four-day biennial Maha Jatara.
Saralamma started from Kannapella around 7.30 pm, placed under the protective shadow of Lord Hanuman, and was expected to reach her platform at the shrine around 10 pm by crossing the Jamppanna Vaga river. Amid the drumming and chanting of the tribal priests, the deities of Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju were already ceremoniously installed on their respective Gaddela (sacred platforms). While Govindaraju was brought from Kondai, Pagididdaraju arrived from Ponugonda village in Mahabubabad district.
Although Saralamma is to be installed on a sacred platform at the Medaram shrine, the small village in Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Mulugu district wore a festive look, with devotees, including women, children and the elderly, converging on the sacred site to witness the inauguration rituals and seek tribal blessings.
As part of the first day’s ceremonies, the sacred dais were cleansed on Wednesday morning. The tribal priests cleaned the altars with clay, in accordance with the usual procedures. Later, special pujas were held with offerings of turmeric, saffron and sari, in accordance with the traditions observed by the tribal clans.
Medaram Siddaboina tribal head priest Arun Kumar said the government and the temple committee have completed all arrangements to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. “We pray that all the devotees are blessed with the grace of the Goddess,” he said. The festival is supposed to culminate on Thursday evening when Mother Sammakka is scheduled to arrive from Chilakalagutta in the form of a vermilion casket.
Published – 28 Jan 2026 21:27 IST
