With millions of pilgrims awaiting the arrival of the tribal deities near the Sammakka-Saralamma tribal temple in Medaram and surrounding villages, preparations are in full swing for the biennial mega jatara. Sanitation workers, along with Koya priests, cleaned the sacred platforms, known as Ammavari Gaddelu, on Tuesday, removing the accumulated offerings such as jaggery, broken coconuts and other puja materials. Subsequently, the priests adorned the platforms with flowers, readying them for the arrival of Pagididdaraju and other deities.
The Penka clan priests of Koya community, who performed a special puja at the Pagididdaraju temple in Punugondla village, Mahabubabad district, on Tuesday afternoon, embarked on a ceremonial procession through the forest areas of Eturngaram wildlife sanctuary to Medaram on foot; they will reach their destination at night. It is through this ritual that Pagididdaraju, Sammakka’s husband, is ceremoniously brought to Medaram.
