Jatara is all about Adivasis celebrating the valour of Sammakka and Sarakka.
The Adivasis living in forest fringe habitations in several states along the river Godavari congregate once in two years to celebrate the valour of their kin Sammakka and Sarakka.
They treat them as Goddesses and hail their bravery in trying to protect them. About eight centuries ago when the Kakatiya Kings were reigning the region, the tribal king Medaraju was ruling the tribal habitations on the banks of river Godavari. He was supposed to pay a royalty to the Kakatiya kings.
However, due to severe prolonged drought, Medaraju failed to pay a royalty. Treating it as defiance, the Kakatiya Kings invaded the region. Fighting with the Kakatiya army, Medaraju and all kin died. His daughter Sammakka and her daughter Sarakka too died in the fight.
According to local lore, Sammakka who was fatigued went above the Chilukalagutta hillocks and disappeared.
The Adivasis who reportedly went in search of her only found a casket of vermilion under a bamboo tree.
Once every two years, the tribal priests offer prayers at the bamboo grove and bring a casket of vermilion and bamboo stick wrapped in red cloth symbolising Sammakka, whom they consider their deity. A day before, the priest do similar ritual at Kannepalli village four kilometre from Medaram and bring the deity Sarakka. Both are installed under the Indian Elm tree at Medaram village and thus begin the jatara. After three days, they take back the deities and leave them in the forest until the next jatara.
Medaram Jatara
The local people who have been witness to the jatara for decades observe that crowds are swelling with each jatara and now it assumed a greater proportion. Now not just the Adivasis but other communities too come to believe in the powers of tribal deities Sammakka and Sarakka.
The poor tribals offer jaggery of their weight considering it to be gold. They also offer red blouse pieces, vermilion, and turmeric to the deities in large quantities. They take a little part of the same as prasadam from the altar back to their homes.
