About Samakka-Saralamma Jatara:
- It is also known as Medaram Jatara.
- It is a tribal festival of honouring the goddesses celebrated in the state of Telangana, India.
- Location: Medaram is a remote place in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, a part of Dandakaranya, the largest surviving forest belt in the Mulugu.
- It is held every two years (biannually). It is celebrated during the time the goddesses of the tribals is believed to visit them.
- In this festival people from all walks of life join together to commemorate the revolt led by Sammakka and Saralamma, a mother-daughter duo, against imposing taxes on the tribal populace during a period of drought by the Kakatiya rulers in the 12th century.
- Ritual: People offer bangaram/gold (jaggery) of a quantity equal to their weight to the goddesses and take holy bath in Jampanna Vagu, a tributary to River Godavari.
- The rituals related to the Goddesses are entirely conducted by Koya tribe priests, in accordance with Koya customs and traditions.
- Significance: It serves as a platform for understanding and fostering harmony between the people and tribal communities.
