SAMMAKKA
SARALAMMA JATARA - ART & CULTURE
News:
Sarakka Central Tribal
University approved for Telangana: The figures of Sammakka-Sarakka, their
significance
What's
in the news?
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The Sammakka Sarakka Jathara has become
one of the most famous tribal festivals in the world with close to 1.5 crore
devotees participating.
Key
takeaways:
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Sammakka is said to have been married to
Pagididda Raju, a feudal chief of the Kakatiyas (a Deccan dynasty) who ruled
the Warangal area.
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She had two daughters and one son –
Sarakka or Saralamma, Nagulamma and Jampanna, respectively. In the battle
against the local rulers in protest against the taxes, Saralamma died, while
Sammakka disappeared into the hills and the local tribals believed that she
metamorphosed into a vermillion casket.
Sammakka
Saralamma Jatara:
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Sammakka Saralamma Jatara is also known as
Medaram Jatara.
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It is celebrated by the Koya Tribal Community of Telangana for
four days.
State:
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Telangana.
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It was declared a State Festival in 1996.
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It is the second-largest fair of India, after the Kumbh Mela.
Unique
Feature:
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It is a tribal festival honouring the
fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning
rulers against an unjust law.
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It is celebrated once in two years in the
month of “Magha” (February) on the full moon day.
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People offer bangaram/gold (jaggery) of a
quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu,
a tributary to River Godavari.