ETV Bharat / state

Medaram Jatara: T'gana all set to host Asia's largest Tribal festival

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Published : Feb 4, 2020, 11:55 PM IST

The Telangana government has made elaborate arrangements for the Medaram Jatara, which is all set to kick off on February 5. The biennial festival is tipped to draw in more than one crore people, which will make it Asia's largest Tribal congregation.

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Hyderabad (Telangana): Telangana will be immersed in festivities, as the state gears up for the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, popularly known as Medaram Jatara, which will be held between February 5 and 8.

The priests hail from the tribal families

The biennial Jatara is held at Medaram in Mulugu District. It is believed that after Kumbh Mela, the Medaram Jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.

With more that one crore devotees expected to attend, the jatara is being tipped as Asia's biggest Tribal congregation.

The jatara commemorates the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.

The Jatara

The grand opening of the Jatara starts on February 5, with the deities of Saralamma, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju being brought in from Kannepalli on to the podium. On the second day, the deity of Sammakka which resides in the form of a Kumkum Bharine will be brought on to the podium.

Read: Ancient form of Santhal puppetry hopes to get new lease of life

On the third day, all the deities are displayed for darshan for thousands of pilgrims. Finally, on the fourth day, the deities are moved back to their original location. This is followed by the return rituals on the next Wednesday (February 12).

The priests hail from the tribal families, as is the tradition, which happens to be the speciality of the Jatara. The lakhs of devotees, who descend at Medaram from different states across India, bring jaggery as offerings to the deities.

TSRTC to operate special buses

In wake of the massive footfall, the Telangana RTC will operate four thousand buses to the Jatara. There are about 500 special buses plying from Rangareddy Region to Medaram. The special buses began operating on February 2 and will continue till February 8.

Two choppers on demand

The Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that two helicopters will be available in Hyderabad from February 5 to 9, for the Secretary-General of the government and other senior officials like the DGP to visit the camp and review the situation from time to time.

Guest House set up

For the comfort of all the pilgrims visiting Medaram, the state-owned Haritha Resorts has set up a guest house in the area. The resort was opened by Tourism Minister Srinivas Goud and was built under the aegis of the Panchayati Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakara Rao. The cost of the setting up of the facility has been budgeted at Rs 9.37 crores.

Read: HM Shah inaugurates 'Aadi Mahotsav', over 1000 tribal artists to participate

24-hour medical services

The District Medical and Health Department is ready to provide 24-hour medical services to the devotees who come here in large numbers. The Government has allocated a budget of Rs 1.46 crore for medical services. The main medical camp with 50 beds has been set up at TTD Kalyana Mandapam near Gaddela and 60 camps have been set up in the surrounding areas of Jampannavagu and Chilakalagutta. A total of 130 doctors and 900 medical staff will serve in the camps. Arrangements have been made to provide medical services and surgeries for pregnant women with general medical care. Around 33 ambulances will be kept ready for any sort of emergency.

Exhibits of Tribal Lifestyle

The tribal welfare department is also setting up the exhibits of surrounding tribal areas as a special attraction. Arrangements have been made to organise cultural activities. Today's generation, which is not familiar with the traditions of tribals will be exposed to the beauty of tribal lifestyles.

Plastic-free Mela

The Sarpanch of Medaram, Chidam Baburao has made a commitment to make the Medaram Mela a plastic-free celebration. Sarpanch Babu Rao visited each of the stalls and implored to the vendors to not use plastic. He also oversaw the putting-up of banners requesting devotees to avoid using plastic.

Video Analytics Policy

What makes this jatara even more special, is that artificial intelligence will be used for the first time in a large-scale during the Jatara. Devotees' congestion will be controlled through video analytics, with missing people to be identified through CCTV cameras.

Read: Everything you need to know about 'Chikoo Festival'

Hyderabad (Telangana): Telangana will be immersed in festivities, as the state gears up for the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, popularly known as Medaram Jatara, which will be held between February 5 and 8.

The priests hail from the tribal families

The biennial Jatara is held at Medaram in Mulugu District. It is believed that after Kumbh Mela, the Medaram Jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.

With more that one crore devotees expected to attend, the jatara is being tipped as Asia's biggest Tribal congregation.

The jatara commemorates the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma, with the reigning rulers against an unjust law.

The Jatara

The grand opening of the Jatara starts on February 5, with the deities of Saralamma, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju being brought in from Kannepalli on to the podium. On the second day, the deity of Sammakka which resides in the form of a Kumkum Bharine will be brought on to the podium.

Read: Ancient form of Santhal puppetry hopes to get new lease of life

On the third day, all the deities are displayed for darshan for thousands of pilgrims. Finally, on the fourth day, the deities are moved back to their original location. This is followed by the return rituals on the next Wednesday (February 12).

The priests hail from the tribal families, as is the tradition, which happens to be the speciality of the Jatara. The lakhs of devotees, who descend at Medaram from different states across India, bring jaggery as offerings to the deities.

TSRTC to operate special buses

In wake of the massive footfall, the Telangana RTC will operate four thousand buses to the Jatara. There are about 500 special buses plying from Rangareddy Region to Medaram. The special buses began operating on February 2 and will continue till February 8.

Two choppers on demand

The Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrasekhar Rao announced that two helicopters will be available in Hyderabad from February 5 to 9, for the Secretary-General of the government and other senior officials like the DGP to visit the camp and review the situation from time to time.

Guest House set up

For the comfort of all the pilgrims visiting Medaram, the state-owned Haritha Resorts has set up a guest house in the area. The resort was opened by Tourism Minister Srinivas Goud and was built under the aegis of the Panchayati Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakara Rao. The cost of the setting up of the facility has been budgeted at Rs 9.37 crores.

Read: HM Shah inaugurates 'Aadi Mahotsav', over 1000 tribal artists to participate

24-hour medical services

The District Medical and Health Department is ready to provide 24-hour medical services to the devotees who come here in large numbers. The Government has allocated a budget of Rs 1.46 crore for medical services. The main medical camp with 50 beds has been set up at TTD Kalyana Mandapam near Gaddela and 60 camps have been set up in the surrounding areas of Jampannavagu and Chilakalagutta. A total of 130 doctors and 900 medical staff will serve in the camps. Arrangements have been made to provide medical services and surgeries for pregnant women with general medical care. Around 33 ambulances will be kept ready for any sort of emergency.

Exhibits of Tribal Lifestyle

The tribal welfare department is also setting up the exhibits of surrounding tribal areas as a special attraction. Arrangements have been made to organise cultural activities. Today's generation, which is not familiar with the traditions of tribals will be exposed to the beauty of tribal lifestyles.

Plastic-free Mela

The Sarpanch of Medaram, Chidam Baburao has made a commitment to make the Medaram Mela a plastic-free celebration. Sarpanch Babu Rao visited each of the stalls and implored to the vendors to not use plastic. He also oversaw the putting-up of banners requesting devotees to avoid using plastic.

Video Analytics Policy

What makes this jatara even more special, is that artificial intelligence will be used for the first time in a large-scale during the Jatara. Devotees' congestion will be controlled through video analytics, with missing people to be identified through CCTV cameras.

Read: Everything you need to know about 'Chikoo Festival'

Intro:Body:

Maedaram Mahajatara

Medaram Sammakka Saralalamma Maha Jatara, popularly known as Telangana Kumbhmela, was initiated on January 22, 2020 . Holy priests conducted the festival of Gudimeluge for the Sarlamma in Kannapalli, Sammakka in Tadwai Mandalam of Medarum village in Mulugu district of Telangana State. As is the tradition, the Kaka dynasties and Siddha dynasties cleaned their houses in the wee hours of the day and then also purified the shrines. The Doli and musical troupe then went to the nearest forest to collect the grass on the hillock which was later used to cover the deity podiums. Soon, the seats are further covered with silk, bangles and rangoli.

After the traditional incorporation, the Koya priests worshiped in the temple by lightening of the lamp. It is widely believed that the cauldron will last for two years. The festival of Gudimelige is considered to be the beginning of the great Medaram fair. The fair will continue for four Wednesdays from the day of initiation of the prayers in the temples. The festival of Mandamelige will be held on the second Wednesday ie., January 29th, 2020. The grand opening of Ammavarla Jatara starts on the third Wednesday, ie., February 5th, 2020. On the same day , the deities of Saralamma, Pagididdaraju and Govindaraju are brought from Kannepalli on to the podium .

On the second day, ie., on the 6th February, 2020, the deity of Sammakka which resides in the form of a Kumkum Bharine is brought on to the podium. On the third day, ie., on the 7th February, all the deities are displayed for darshan of thousands of pilgrims. On the fourth day ie., February 8th , the deities are moved back to their original location. This is followed by the return rituals on the next Wednesday ie., February 12th, 2020. The priests hail from the tribal families, as is the tradition which happens to be the specialty of the Medaram Jatara. Devotees offer gold (jaggery) as offerings to the deities. People of various religions, not just tribes, participate in the festival. With a participation of over a billion people, this is the largest mela in Asia.

Setting up of special buses

On the occasion of this Mela, the Telangana, the Telangana RTC operates four thousand buses to the Sammakka Saralamma Medaram Jatara. There are about 500 special buses plying from Rangareddy Region to Medaram. These special buses will be available from 2nd to 8th February, 2020. RTC officials urge pilgrims to take advantage of this facility as they are running buses from all parts of Hyderabad.

Two Helicopters always on demand

The CM of Telangana said that two helicopters will be available in Hyderabad from February 5th to 9th, for the Secretary General of the Government and other senior officials like the DGP to visit the camp and review the situation from time to time.

Establishment of a Harita Resort

For the comfort of all the pilgrims visiting Medaram, the Haritha Resorts has set up a guest house in the area. The resort was opened by Tourism Minister Srinivas Goud and was built under the aegis of the Panchayati Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakara Rao. The cost of the setting up of this resorts has been budgeted at Rs.9.37 crores. .

Special arrangements for lightening through the Mela period

Gopal Rao, CMD of NPDCL, visited the Medaram vicinity. He said that all measures have been taken care to ensure that there is a great deal of un-interrupted power in the first week of February. He said 300 employees have been recruited with 2 members per sub-station to avoid power outages in the area, during the said period.

24 hour medical services

The District Medical and Health Department is ready to provide 24 hour medical services to the devotees who come here in large numbers. The Government has allocated a budget of Rs 1.46 crore for medical services. The main medical camp with 50 beds was set up at TTD Kalyana Mandapam near Gaddela and 60 camps were set up in the surrounding areas of Jampannavagu and Chilakalagutta. A total of 130 doctors and 900 medical staff will serve in the camps, altogether. Arrangements have been made to provide medical services and surgeries for pregnant women with general medical care. Medical specialists from 8 departments of Warangal MGM hospital will be deployed. Around 33 ambulances will be kept ready for any sort of emergency. Until the end of the Mela and till all the devotees retreat, medical services will continue in the vicinity. All the doctors in all the hospitals in Muluga, Yeturinagaram and other hospitals are readied to provide medical services to the piligrims.

Exhibits of Tribal Lifestyle

The tribal welfare department is organizing a number of rituals to attract millions of devotees to the Medaram. The exhibits of the surrounding tribal areas are expected to be a special attraction. Arrangements have been made to organize cultural activities on a regular basis in the Hampi Theater, with hundreds of artists, in line with tribal cultural traditions. From time immemorial to the present day, the paintings of the inhabitants have been made. Today's generation of people who are not familiar with the traditions of the tribes are exposed so beautifully portrayed images of the tribal lifestyles.

Plastic-free Mela

The Sarpanch of Medaram, Chidam Baburao has made a commitment to make the Medaram Mela a plastic-free celebration. Sarpanch Babu Rao visited each of the stalls and implored to the vendors to not use the plastic covers for whatever the reason. He had also made sure that Flexies are put up requesting the devotees to avoid using plastic during the period of conducting the Mela. Sarpanch Chidambaram Baburao said that the public is taking the initiative to make the Maha Mela a Non-Plastic Free event in the first week of February.

Video Analytics Policy

Artificial intelligence will be used for the first time in a large-scale during the Medaram Jatara. Devotees' congestion will be controlled through video analytics. The missing people will be identified through the use of CC cameras and will be tracked on the vehicle fleet. The police department is making arrangements for the use of Artificial Intelligence in the prestigious Medaram Jatara also known as Telangana Kumbh Mela.

Conclusion:

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