Warangal Tours

SAMMAKKA - SARAKKA JATARA, BIGGEST TRIBAL JATARA

There are many legends about the miraculous powers of samakka and one of them has it that in the 13^th century, some tribal leaders who went for a hunting found a new born girl child emitting enormous light playing amidst tigers. She was taken to their habitation and brought up as a chief tain (She later became the saviour of the tribals of the region) she was married to Pagididda Raju a feudatory tribal chief of Kakatiyas who were the rulers of this area. She was blessed with 2daughters and one son namely Saralamma, Nagulamma and Jampanna respectively. It so happens that there was a drought continuously for 3 to 4 years and pagedde Raju didn't pay tribute to King Pratapa Rudra. In turn king Pratapa rudra sent his army to subdue the tribals and collect the tribute. Then a War was fought between tribal chief pagidde Raju and Kakatiya army on the banks of "Sampenga Vagu" (Jampanna Vagu).

The Koya army fought valiantly but could not with stand the well equipped Kakatiya army. Though fought valiantly Pagididda Raju, his daughters Saralamma, Nagulamma, son in law Govinda Raju lost (husband of Saralamma) lives in the battle. Later Jampanna also dies in Sampenga Vagu (after renamed as Jampanna Vagu in the memory of his heroic fight against well trained Kakatiya army).

Upon hearing this news Sammakka also enters war and fights and causes lot of damage to kakatiya army. Surprised by her Bravery And Valour one soldier of Kakatiyas Army stabs her from backside. Sammakka Was seriously Wounded And with that wounded body proceeds towards Chilakala gutta and disappears. Later Koya army follows her but they could not found her but only one container of vermilion. Then they thought of it her symbol and worships her in the same form till today.

The Jatra begins with bringing of Saralamma (a container of vermilion) from Kannepalli a neighboring village on 16^th of this month.

The main goddess Sammakka will be brought from Chilukalagutta on 17^th (a container of vermilion) by tribals priests. One of the unique feature of the Jatra is no idol worship, only worship of two wooden poles and container of vermilion.(Kumkuma barini) as symbols of goddess.

SIGNIFICANCE

People believe that Godesses Sammakka, Saralamma fulfill their desires with their divine and miraculous powers. Issueless Couples visit  to pray the goddess to bless them with children.

 Many a pilgrim pay their promises made to goddess during the Jatra, by offering Jaggery, calfs, coconuts and donations in cash etc. Pilgrim bath in the Jampanna stream to get purified and absolve from sins.

STATE FESTIVAL

Sri Sammakka & Saralamma Jatara will be celebrated once in two years in Medaram Village of Tadvai Mandal of Warangal District. This year it is being celebrated from 27^thJanuary 2010 to 30^thJanuary 2010. This is one of the most pious, sacred religious largest tribal gathering festival in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Medaram Village is situated in dense forest area about 104 KMS from Warangal city. There are two gaddes (platforms) Separately one for goddess "Sammakka" and other for goddess "Saralamma".

Since time immemorial. One tree is standing on Sammakka gadde.

Under this huge tree lies couple of wooden poles which is considered to be the totemic symbol of Sammakka, object of worship by visitors.

This Jatara attracts large no. of pilgrims about  35 to 40 lakhs both tribal and non-tribal from all parts of State and neighbouring states such as Maharastra, M.P. Karnataka and Orrissa .

The Jatara provides not only an opportunity of interaction between tribals and non tribals of different parts of India but also a feeling among them joining mainstream in the presence of non-tribals in the Jatara, and it is a symbol of common bond between tribals and their belief in cultural heritage.

Sammakka Jatra begins at Medaram in Tadvai Mandal in Warangal district in Januvary once in two years and will continue for 4 days. The Samakka Jatra is a State Festival of Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.

In the year 2010, 60 to 70 Lakh devotees visited Jatra from AP, MP, Orissa and Maharashtra. This is biggest congregation after Kumbha Mela in India.

AN ENGINEERING MARVEL IMPOSSIBLE MADE POSSIBLE BY THE INITIATIVE OF DISTRICT COLLECTOR

Medaram Jathra, a tribal jathra held once in two years Over the years, the jathra has been attracting more and more people from a few thousand visitors / devotees during seventies and eighties, the number has increased to an alarming estimated 35 lakhs during 2000 and it is expected to increase further. If the past trend is any indication, the number estimated this year is a whopping 50 lakhs Celebrated biannually as per the traditions of Koya tribes since time immemorial. Medaram which was the abode of Koya kings during the 10th Century is situated in a thick forest on the banks of River Godavari.

Medaram village with a population of less than 1000 is severely stressed by the large congregation of people and the human activities have caused severe negative impact on the environment.

Jampanna Vagu

Jampanna vagu which flows in the vicinity of the Medaram village, forms the blood line of the jathra rituals � for holy bath as well as subsistence of the devotees during the jathra period.

Jampanna Vagu is a stream where lakhs of pilgrims take bath, wash themselves and their cloths and also where animals are also washed. The stream has water only during the rainy season and for a few weeks following the monsoon.

This stream is normally dry during the month of February when the festival is held and the  water is released to the stream through the surplus weir of Laknavaram Lake.

A make shift bridge is normally constructed across the vagu to facilitate the movements of people and at time small vehicles and bullock carts from one bank of the stream to the other.

There is a long felt need for a permanent bridge across this vagu for the convenience of pilgrims as well as to plan transportation requirements during the jathra

During the last year, strong proposals were initiated to take up this work with financial assistance from NABARD.

BHADRAKALI TEMPLE

IMPORTANCE:

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, the Glant mother Goddess, with fierce looking eyes and face. The main attraction of the temple is the stone image of the diety in human form, in sitting posture, wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.

The deity which measures 2.7 meters in height and the width is believed to be worshipped by the historic ruler Pulakesin-II of Chalukya Dynasty in the year 625 A.D. After his win over the "vengi" region of Andhra Desh. Later "Hari" a Minister of Kakatiyan Ruler Ganapathi Dev, Constructed the approach road and huge tank near the temple.

LOCATION:

The temple is located in the City of Warangal. It is about 5 Kms away from the Warangal Railway Station & Bus Station and is well connected by city bus service.

PRESENT STATUS:

The temple is being maintained by the Endowments Department, who collect the offerings made to the temple and spend on the upkeep and repairs of the temple. Drinking water facility is available near the temple.

IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED:

• Small Shopping complex needs to be constructed out side the temple where shops can be leased out for various purposes namely:

• Pooja material and prasadam.
• Religious Books, tourist Literature, Photos,etc.
• Shoes/chappal Counter.
• cafeteria.

1. A Small landscape garden needs to be developed near the main temple for improving the general look of the place and making it more attractive.
2. Public toilets are to be constructed for convenience of the public.
3. A Parking Place needs to be ear marked and leased out.
4. Forming ring road on tank bund to ease the Traffic flow.

GHANPUR GROUP OF TEMPLES

IMPORTANCE:

The Ghanpur group of temples, comprising of 22 temples constructed within a double walled stone enclosure contain a veritable museum of Kakatiya art and architecture. Among the group of temples, the main temple, which is dedicated to Lord siva is most attractive. The main attraction is of the Sabhamandapa porches. Two madanikas or salabhanjikas, which are on northern side portico, are much more attractive and blithe in their appearance, compared to the famous Palampet(Ramappa Temple) bracket figures. 

Apart from these, mythical figure brackets such as Gaja-Kesari, Half human-Lion form riding on elephant, Horse-head Lion back on elephant are also arranged under the eves in eastern and southern side porticos. To the north from main temple, there is another temple dedicated t Siva which is exact replica of the main temple. To the south of the main temple, there is a pillared mandap whose central ceiling is decorated with different kinds patma motives. More over nineteen subsidiary shrines consisting of garbhgriha and antarala are placed around the temple.

There is no information about the builder of these great temples except three inscriptions which only talk about visit of Vibhuttigaru, a house hold servant of Panditharadhya. But on stylistic grounds and comparing architectural features of famous Ramappa temple at Palampet village, it can be presumed that these temples were most probably constructed during the time of Ganpathidev Maharaj in early 13 the Century A.D. These magnificient group of temples are located adbist tall and lofty palmyra trees and this luxuriant vegetation serves as a beautiful backdrop making visit to these temples a visual feast and a memorable one.

LOCATION:

The Ghanpur group of temples are located in Ghanpur mandal headquarters, around 62 kms away from Warangal. It can be reached via Mulug and Palampet and is connected with a regular bus service.

PRESENT STATUS:

The group of temples is a protected monument but nothing has been done to removate or improve it. The temples are in little dilapidated condition. The mud wall around the temple is also dilapidated and these is a growth of wild bushes on it and in the area enclosed by the wall. Moreover, the temple is about 300 meters from the road and only a katcha path leads to it.

IMPROVEMENTS REQUIRED:

1. The temple needs major renovation by resetting the dislocated parts, laying of concrete roof, reconstruction of certain dilapidated temples and arranging pathways inside the complex for smooth movement of visitors.
2. A road of about 300 meters length needs to be constructed from main road up to the temple.
3. The mud wall surrounding the temple needs to be improved and benches and shade structures need to be erected on it.
4. The area enclosed by the mud wall can be developed as a beautiful garden to attract the visitors.
5. Public toilets need to be constructed for the convenience of the Public.
6. A small canteen to be constructed and leased out.