Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : India’s biggest Tribal Fair, the four-day Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, concluded on February 19, 2022. It is said to be one of the largest gatherings of tribal communities. This year the historic festival began at village Medaram in Mulugu District in Telangana on February 16, 2022, with participation of thousands of devotees.
As per the age-old ritual, the tribal priests performed special pujas at Chilakalagutta forest and Medaram village. The devotees huddled around the road worshipping the tribal deities and walked barefoot to offer jaggery to the goddesses, according to a PIB release.
G Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), visited the Sammakka-Saralamma Medaram Jatara and offered prayers to the goddesses Sammakka and Saralamma. He was accompanied by Renuka Singh, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.
Reddy, as per tradition, offered jaggery which is popularly also known as ‘Bangaram’ (Gold), equal to his weight. He said, “I seek blessings of Sammakka and Saralamma Ammavaarulu for the people of India. This festival and the congregation of the devotees exemplifies the cultural values and ethos of India. The lives of Sammakka and Sarakka and their fight against injustices and tyranny continues to inspire all of us and is worth emulating.”
The Union Minister of Culture, Tourism, and DoNER added, “The Sammakka Saralamma Medaram Jatara is one of the largest Tribal festivals in the world and the government is extending all possible support. Recently, the government of India under the Prime Minister released a total amount of Rs 2.5 crore through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism to celebrate this festival. Since 2014, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, under the Domestic promotion and Publicity including hospitality scheme, has released Rs 2.45 crore for celebrating several festivals across the state of Telangana.”
Offered ‘Bangaram’ (jaggery) at four-day biennial Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara, known to be the Kumbhmela of the south, at #Medaram village in #Telangana today.