Context:
Recently, the union Minister for Tribal Affairs visited the Sammakka- Saralamma Maha Jatara, in Medaram, Mulugu district of Telangana.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara: Commemorating Tribal Devotion in Telangana
Alternative Name:
- Also Referred To As: Medaram Jatara.
Tribal Goddess Honoring Festival:
- Location: Celebrated in the state of Telangana, India.
- Theme: Demonstrates tribal devotion, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to honor the goddesses.
Historical Context:
- Revolt Commemoration: Commemorates the resistance led by Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo, against taxes imposed by Kakatiya rulers during a 12th-century drought on the tribal population.
Geographical Setting:
- Location: Medaram, a remote area in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary within Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in Mulugu.
Frequency and Timing:
- Occurrence: A biannual event, held every two years.
- Timing: Celebrated during the believed visitation time of the tribal goddesses.
Rituals:
- Offerings: Participants present bangaram/gold (jaggery) equivalent to their weight to the goddesses.
- Ceremonial Bath: Involves a holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.
Cultural and Heritage Significance:
- Harmony and Preservation: Serves as a platform to enhance understanding and harmony between people and tribal communities.
- Global Promotion: Promotes the preservation of unique traditions, culture, and heritage of tribal communities on a global scale.
-Source: The Hindu, PIB
