MULUGU: With preparations gathering pace ahead of the biennial Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, Asia’s largest tribal congregation, extensive development works are nearing completion at Medaram in Mulugu district. The jatara, which traces its origins to the medieval period, is scheduled to start on January 28 amid dense forests.
The state government has taken up works with an outlay of over `250 crore to give the historic Adivasi place of worship a facelift that blends history, tribal faith and modern infrastructure, while respecting Adivasi customs and offering a completely new experience to devotees. Officials said the development works are almost complete, at least in the core area.
Utmost care has been taken in the design of the Sammakka, Saralamma, Govinda Raju and Pagididda Raju Gaddelu. Symbols of bamboo, the Sonodi bird, the white horse representing tribal aristocracy, peacock, holy dots symbolising gotras and Adivasi dances have been inscribed on towering pillars carved out of single gigantic stones.
The stone installations narrate the legend through symbolic representations, with around 7,000 such symbols engraved across 31 stone installations in and around the sacred platforms.
90% of Gaddelu works at Medaram completed
The government sought the assistance of Dr Mypathi Arun Kumar, a research scholar from the Koya community who has extensively studied the history of Sammakka-Saralamma, in designing the artefacts.
The premises of the Sammakka-Saralamma sacred platforms are being developed into stone-based structures infused with devotion.
The symbols carved on the stones are drawn from Padangal, a sacred flag, and palm-leaf manuscripts, while the inscriptions depict lineage, genealogy, gotras and elements of nature.
Speaking to TNIE, Mypathi said, “There are around 256 omens through which the Mulavasis (aboriginals) predict nature, such as whether it will rain in a particular year. All these signs are engraved on the inscriptions in the sanctum and surrounding areas of the Sammakka-Saralamma Gaddelu.” He thanked the local MLA and Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development, Danasari Anasuya (Seethakka), and the administration for taking the initiative.
Mulugu Collector Divakara TS said the works were nearing completion, with 90% of the Gaddelu works and 85% of the flooring finished.
He said special attention was being paid to translocating native and sacred trees as per gotras and added that the government was planning to bring out a book.
Minister Seethakka said arrangements were being made to cater to the needs of lakhs of devotees. She said the periphery of the Gaddelu had been expanded to ensure free movement of devotees.