Amid religious fervour at Medaram, a large number of devotees are waiting for the arrival of tribal deity Saralamma, who is being brought from Kannapelly, about 5 km away from the Medaram tribal shrine, to the sacred platform at the Sammakka–Saralamma tribal shrine on Wednesday. Her arrival marks the commencement of the four-day biennial Maha Jatara.
Saralamma set out from Kannapelly around 7.30 p.m., placed under the protective shade of Lord Hanuman, and was expected to reach her platform at the shrine by around 10 p.m by crossing the Jamppanna Vagu rivulet. Amid the beating of drums and chants by tribal priests, the deities Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju were already ceremonially installed on their respective Gaddelu (sacred platforms). While Govindaraju was brought from Kondai, Pagididdaraju arrived from Ponugonda village of Mahabubabad district.
Though Saralamma is to be installed on the sacred platform at the Medaram shrine, the tiny village in the 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 inaugural rituals and seek the blessings of the tribal deities.
As part of the first-day observances, purification of the sacred platforms was performed on Wednesday morning. Tribal priests purified the altars using clay, in keeping with customary practices. Special pujas were later held, with offerings of turmeric, saffron and sarees, in line with traditions followed by the tribal clans.
Medaram tribal chief priest Siddaboina Arun Kumar said all arrangements had been completed by the government and the temple committee to facilitate smooth darshan for devotees. “We pray that all devotees are blessed with the grace of the Goddess,” he said. The festival is set to reach its peak on Thursday night, when mother Sammakka is scheduled to arrive from Chilakalagutta in the form of a vermilion casket.
Published – January 28, 2026 09:27 pm IST
