Hyderabad is buzzing with anticipation as preparations reach fever pitch for the Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, recognized as Asia’s grandest tribal fair. Set to commence on Wednesday in Medaram village, Mulugu district, Telangana, this four-day extravaganza draws millions every two years.
Nestled about 240 kilometers from Hyderabad along the Godavari River, the event transforms the serene village into a sea of devotees. Officials project over 20 million attendees from across India, turning it into Telangana’s equivalent of the Kumbh Mela. Tribes from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and beyond converge to celebrate ancient rituals and communal bonds.
This year marks a milestone with the state government investing Rs 251 crore in permanent infrastructure and village development. Already, nearly a million pilgrims have offered prayers to the tribal deities in recent days.
At the heart of the festival is the legendary tale of Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka, revered as warrior goddesses by the Koya tribe. Dating back eight centuries, the mother-daughter duo fought valiantly against the Kakatiya kingdom’s oppressive taxes during a severe drought. Local lore recounts how tribal king Medaram, unable to pay royalties amid famine, faced a brutal invasion. In the ensuing battle, Medaram and his kin perished, followed by Sammakka and Sarakka.
Exhausted, Sammakka vanished into the Chilukalgutta hills, leaving behind a vermilion box under a bamboo tree—symbols that tribal priests retrieve biennially to inaugurate the jatara. Sarakka’s idol is similarly brought from Kannepalli village and installed beside her mother under an Indian elm tree, signaling the festival’s start. After three days, the symbols return to the forests until the next gathering.
Devotees offer jaggery equal to their body weight, red blouse pieces, vermilion, and turmeric, taking home blessed portions as prasad. Sacred baths in the Jambanna Vagu, named after Sammakka’s son who drowned in grief, are believed to cleanse sins.
Logistics are monumental: 42,000 personnel from 21 departments, 2,000 tribal volunteers, and 13,000 police ensure smooth operations. AI-powered drones and control rooms monitor the massive crowds, blending tradition with cutting-edge technology for a flawless celebration of tribal heritage.
