WARANGAL: An air of excitement descended on Medaram ahead of the beginning of Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara, the biggest tribal congregation in the continent. Though pilgrims have been thronging the village in for the last one month, the festival will begin on Wednesday evening. The festive fever has gripped the hamlets surrounding Medaram with streets glittering in colours and hundreds thronging the river bank to take the holy dip.
The arrival of Sarakka in the form of vermillion from Kannepalli village kick-starts the Jatara. By the time Sarakka (Saralamma) arrives at the sacred platforms (Gaddelu), her father Pagidigidda Raju and her husband Govinda Raju also reach the Gaddelu.
However, with the arrival of Sammakka from Chilakalagutta on Thursday (Feb 18), who is welcomed with an official tribute by police and government, is considered as the main event of the four-day Jatara.
Though more than one crore devotees are expected to throng Medaram during the festival, about 50 lakh are said to have arrived in Medaram by Tuesday.
Endowments minister A Indrakaran Reddy, district collector Vakati Karuna, SP AK Jha have been camping at Medaram for the last two days. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao will arrive at Medaram to pay his vows on Friday (Feb 19).
Nearly 30,000 employees including 12,000 police personnel have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. A helipad has also been arranged at Medaram as many devotees will be arriving by chopper.