Tribal deities taken to sacred abodes on final day of Maha Jatara

Tribal deities taken to sacred abodes on final day of Maha Jatara

Amid massive crowds of devotees, the tribal deities Sammakka and Saralamma were ceremonially taken back to their respective abodes as part of Vana Pravesham on Saturday evening, marking the conclusion of the four-day biennial Sammakka–Saralamma Maha Jatara that attracted millions of devotees.

As per tradition, the presiding deity Sammakka was taken to the sacred groves on the Chilakalagutta hillock, while Saralamma returned to her temple at Kannepalli village. The ritual procession also included Pagiddaraju being taken to Ponugondlu village in Kothaguda mandal and Govindaraju to Kondai village in Eturnagaram mandal by Koya priests. Minister Seethakka and several other leaders witnessed the event.

Several senior officials and dignitaries visited the shrine and offered prayers ahead of the ritual. Women Development and Child Welfare Principal Secretary Anita Ramachandran, District Collector T.S. Divakara and his family members, Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir R. Kekan and several senior officials, participated in the prayers before the deities departed for Vana Pravesham.

Pilgrims scramble to offer bangaram (jaggery) before the tribal deities return to their Vana Pravesham, on the final day of the 4-day Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, in Medaram, Mulugu district, on Saturday. | Photo Credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Meanwhile, devotees faced severe hardship due to traffic congestion on routes leading to Medaram. Vehicular movement came to a standstill for several hours between Pasra-Tadvai-Medaram route from Friday night to Saturday morning. Many vehicles, including those transporting essential supplies such as milk, were stranded.

Some devotees alleged poor traffic management despite the deployment of a large police force. “I started at midnight and reached Medaram only by 11.30 p.m. the next day,” said Bharat, a resident of Hanamkonda. An official of a government corporation alleged misuse of essential services vehicle passes, contributing to congestion.