Telangana: Union Ministers Jual Oram, G Kishan Reddy offer prayers at Medaram Jatara
Mulugu, January 29
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Thursday offered prayers at the Sammakka Sarakka Temple in Medaram village of Mulugu district on the occasion of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, also known as the Medaram Kumbh Mela.
They were accompanied by Telangana Ministers Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Adluri Laxmi, and Anasuya Setakka.
Speaking to ANI after offering prayers, Union Minister Jual Oram said the festival arrangements were satisfactory. "Sammakka-Saralamma is a big festival, and the arrangements were good," he said.
In a post on X, Oram said, "On my visit to Medaram Jatara to seek the blessings of Sammakka-Saralamma and offer my vows, I am accompanied by the Hon'ble Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy ji, along with state ministers."
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy offers prayers at Medaram and renews vows to Sammakka Saralamma.
"Medaram Having darshaned Sri Sammakka - Saralamma Ammavaru at Medaram, the golden peak of the aspirations of crores of devotees who fulfill their heart's desires, amidst the sacred camphor aartis and the resounding chants of victory from the devotees. I offered eternal gold (jaggery) to the Ammavaru and redeemed my vows. On this occasion, I fervently prayed that the cool shade of these motherly lamps be upon all the people. Along with me, Minister for Tribal Affairs Department of the Central Government, Shri Jewel Oram Garu, also paid obeisance to Ammavaru," he said on X.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's Maori tribal performers offered special prayers to tribal goddesses Sammakka and Sarakka in Medaram village, Mulugu district.
Telangana Minister Anasuya Setakka welcomed them, and they also performed a traditional haka dance at the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara festival, highlighting international cultural exchange at one of Telangana's largest folk festivals.
Telangana Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said that the Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara is being held for the second time since the formation of the People's Government in the State, and that under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the Government has accorded the highest priority to the historic tribal festival by undertaking several permanent development works to provide improved facilities for devotees, the release said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The involvement of Maori performers is the highlight for me! What a beautiful example of cultural exchange. Our tribal goddesses receiving prayers from indigenous communities across the world... truly shows the universal spirit of faith. Jai Sammakka-Saralamma!
While it's good that ministers are attending, I hope this translates into more concrete, year-round development for the tribal regions of Mulugu and beyond. Permanent facilities for devotees are welcome, but what about roads, schools, and hospitals for the tribal communities who live there?
As someone visiting India, reading about this festival is fascinating. The scale of it being called a 'Kumbh Mela' and the deep spiritual descriptions are incredible. The blend of ancient tradition with modern governance and even international guests is remarkable.
The description of the ceremony by Minister Kishan Reddy is so poetic – "the cool shade of these motherly lamps". It captures the essence of the devotion perfectly. This jatara is not just a festival, it's the heartbeat of Telangana's tribal heritage. Proud to see it get its due recognition.
Good to see state and central ministers together for this. Often there is politics over such events, but here it seems like a collective effort to honor the tradition. Hope the development works mentioned are completed without delays and actually benefit the lakhs of devotees who come with so much faith.
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