Medaram Jatara

If you want to experience one of the largest tribal gatherings in the world where more than 10 million people converge, you must visit the Sammakka Saralamma Jathara in the remote forest area of Medaram located in the Mulugu district of Telangana, India. The Sammakka Saralamma Jathara is also known as Medaram Jathara and is dedicated to the tribal Goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. The Jathara or fair takes place biennially in Medaram which is located about 90 kilometres from the city of Warangal. Tribals from across India participate in the 4-day fair. They come from the states of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Jharkhand. The atmosphere at the Sammakka Saralamma Jathara is surcharged with the tremendous faith and devotion of the tribals. It may be noted that all the rites and rituals of the fair are conducted purely according to tribal customs. The legend of Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo who are worshipped as forms of Adi Parashakti, the primordial Goddess, comes alive with the celebration of Sammakka Saralamma Jathara. A tribal legend presents the fascinating story of Sammakka and Saralamma (Sarakka), and how they became deified in tribal culture. According to this legend, when some tribals were roaming in the forest in quest of prey for their hunt, they chanced upon an infant girl. The girl, apparently a newborn baby, was bathed in a strange halo of light and was playing with tigers. The tribals, stunned at what they saw, took the baby girl to their chieftain, who decided to adopt and bring her up. The girl was named Sammakka and was brought up as befitting a tribal leader. In course of time, she was married to Pagididda Raju, a chieftain of the Koya tribe. The couple was blessed with three children, daughters Sarakka and Nagulamma, and a son named Jampanna. Those were the times when the Kakatiya dynasty ruled the region from Warangal. Prataprudra, a Kakatiya king imposed a heavy tax on the Koyas, which they could not pay. This led to the Kakatiya king declaring war on the Koya tribe. In the ensuing battle, Sammakka’s husband Pagididda Raju was killed. Sammakka along with her daughter Saralamma, son Jampanna, as well as son-in-law Govinda Raju, entered the fray and fought valiantly, almost turning the tables on the powerful Kakatiya forces. However, Saralamma died fighting valiantly, and Jampanna who was fatally injured fell bleeding into a stream then known as Sampangi Vaagu. Legend has it that the waters of the stream turned red in colour from the blood of Jampanna. The stream was later named Jampanna Vagu as a tribute to the fallen tribal warrior.