The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : A carnival to honour two martyrs

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Friday, Feb 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

A carnival to honour two martyrs

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Over 60 lakh pilgrims expected to attend Jatara at Medaram

Sammakka, Sarakka stood up to Kakatiya rulers
Tribals remember their bravery, offer prayers

— Photo: M. Murali

Symbol of courage: Devotees throng Medaram village offering prayers to Sammakka in Warangal on Thursday.

MEDARAM (WARANGAL DT.): This tiny, remote village amidst thick forest of Tadvai mandal waits for one of the largest congregation in reverence of the Koya women – Sammakka and Sarakka – who went down fighting the imperial armies of Kakatiya rulers eight centuries ago.

An estimated 60 lakh pilgrims are expected to descend on this village lending the three-day biennial jatara a colourful start paying homage to the two martyrs. Legend has it that the tribal area of Kakatiya kingdom was ruled by one king Medaraju who refused to pay his royalty to Kakatiya king Pratapa Rudra II owing to continued drought. Considering the non-payment of royalty as defiance, the imperial army invaded the tribal area.

Fighting the imperial army, Medaraju and his daughter Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka died. Ever since, the tribals remember their bravery and offer prayers.

It is said that the fatally wounded Sammakka left towards the Chilkalgutta and then disappeared. Later, tribals found a casket of vermilion at ‘Nemali Nara tree’ (Indian elm tree) where she was last seen.

Once in two years during the jatara, the tribal pujaris return in trance carrying the vermilion casket and a bamboo stick wrapped in a red cloth and install at the altar for devotees to pay their homage.

This time, on February 20, the pujaris would offer special prayers at Kannegudem and bring Sarakka and install at the altar and on February 21, they will bring Sammakka from Chilkalgutta. The jatara is predominantly a tribal affair though non-tribals too throng the place to pray.

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