Sammakka Saralamma Jatara

It commemorates the fight of a mother and daughter," Sammakka and Saralamma" (also known as Sarakka), with the reigning rulers against an unjust law. Game There are many legends about the miraculous powers of Sammakka. According to a tribal story, about 6-7 centuries ago, that is in the 13th century, some tribal leaders who went for a hunting found a new born girl (Sammakka) emitting enormous light playing amidst tigers. She was taken to their habitation, and the head of the tribe adopted her and brought up as a chief. She later became the saviour of the tribals of the region. She was married to Pagididda Raju, the tribal chief of the Koyas. The Kakatiyas (who ruled the region with its headquarters in Warangal City between 1000 AD and 1380 AD). She was blessed with 2 daughters and one son namely Sarakka, Nagulamma and Jampanna respectively. When King Prataprudra of the Kakatiyas imposed taxes on the Koya Tribe, the chief of the tribe was unable to pay them. As a result, Prataprudra declared war on the Koya Tribe. All the tribal people had turned into warriors. Pagididda Raju was killed in the battle. Angered with grief, Sammakka entered the battlefield along with her daughter, Saralamma, her son, Jampanna and also her son-in-law Govinda Raju. Sammakka had almost won when Saralamma died in the battle and Jampanna died in this attack and fell bleeding into a vaagu (stream) and later the whole "Sampangi Vaagu", that is the name of the stream has turned red from the blood due to which it was later on called "Jampanna Vaagu" near the place where the present festival is taking place. Sammakka had gone to a hill named Chilakala Gutta and all alone, she manifested into a vermilion casket. (Kumkum Bharani). After that the tribe and devotees have been believing that Sammakka and Saralamma were manifestations of Adi Parashakti and they have been protecting them.

The main objective of the jatara is to bring the vermilion casket to Medaram, take a bath in Jampanna Vagu and offer jaggery to Sammakka and Saralamma. The jatara was only done in the throne of Sammakka and later a separate throne was built for Saralamma.

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao visiting Sammakka Saralamma Jatara

Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is a tribal Hindu festival, held at about 100km from Warangal city. It is the time for the largest tribal congregation in the world, held every two years (biennial), with approximately ten million people converging on the place, over a period of four days. Many devotees from different states of India (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka and parts of Jharkhand) reach to the festive place to celebrate the jatara.

People offer bellam (jaggery) to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu (stream).

In 2008, nearly 8 million people were estimated to have attended the festival. And in 2012, the gatherings in the jatara are roughly estimated to be 10 million. This fair is said to be the largest repeating congregation of tribal communities in the world. It is also one of the largest Hindu gatherings in the world.

This Festival held in 2016 is the first one after the formation of Telangana state, and it took a greater significance with special attention by the government.

Jampanna Vagu, originally known as "Sampangi Vagu" is a tributary to the river Godavari. According to history, Jampanna was a tribal warrior and the son of tribal goddess Sammakka. The Jampanna Vagu took his name as he died in a battle fighting against the Kakatiyan Army in that stream. Tribals believe that taking a holy dip in the water of Jampanna Vagu honours and reminds them of the sacrifice of their gods who saved them and also induces courage in their souls. There is a bridge constructed on top of Jampanna Vagu, known as the Jampanna Vagu Bridge.

The Jatara venue is situated at about 100 km from Warangal, 170 km from Karimnagar, 190 km from Suryapet, 250 km from Hyderabad and 320 km from Rajahmundry (via Bhadrachalam & Manuguru).

Until 1978, the only way to reach Medaram was by a bullock cart. In 1978 then the Andhra Pradesh State Government declared the 1000-yr old festival as official and laid down a paved road. TSRTC runs multiple buses to the venue during the Jatara period. Also, many private vehicles render their services for plying the visitors and aerial view services (such as using a helicopter) are also provided during this festival.

The Jatara is very well facilitated with roads, drinking water, sanitation, health and hygiene by the Government of Telangana.[3]

A movie named "Sammakka Saarakka" (2000) deals with the story of Sammakka and Saralamma and stars Ramya Krishnan and Roja in the lead roles.