Medaram Jatara 2024, a vibrant festival celebrated by Telangana’s Koya Tribes, showcases Asia’s second-largest fair with rituals, traditional music, and cultural richness, drawing over 1.3 crore visitors every two years.
Medaram Jatara 2024
India is considered a country of festivals,
here different types of festivals are celebrated every day,
one of the most famous festivals of South India is Medaram Yatra,
which is Celebrated in Telangana.
Medaram Jatara is considered to be Asia’s largest triple fair celebrated
over 4 days every 2 years beginning on 16 February 2024 to 19 February 2024.
It is the second-largest fair in India after Kumbh Mela.
It is celebrated by the Koya Tribes of Telangana.
It is also considered a national festival of the
“intangible cultural heritage” of India by UNESCO.
It is the most important festival in all Telangana for the community.
A large number of non-corporate people around 1.3 crore
visited Madaram Jatara 2024 of the total worshippers.
That’s why it is known as Asia’s largest tribe festival.
Medaram Jatara 2024 Date & Time
Medaram will be celebrated in February this year on
the full moon day of Magh month which will be celebrated in Telangana
from 16 February 2024 to 19 February 2024.
This journey is celebrated with great pomp and joy.
The fair held here is considered to be the second-largest fair in Asia,
where all kinds of Enjoyment are here.
Medaram Jatara 2024 History
When people of the Koya tribes went hunting in the forest of Telangana,
they saw that there was a small girl between a lion and a tiger.
This girl was among the herd of lions and tigers,
she was brought from there and kept in the habitat.
That girl gradually started growing up and she started doing
some miracles which surprised people. Through her medicine or herbs,
the people of That community started getting cured and
they started getting free from many problems, due to which
she was given the status of goddess which is known as Sammakka Devi.
Devi Sammakka is Married to Pagididda Raju,
The Tribal Chief of the Koyas Community.
After their marriage, they had three children,
out of which two were girls and one was a boy.
Who had goddess Sarakka and goddess Nagulamma and had a
son whose name was Jamapanna. After there was a drought in them,
when the king of Karkatiya asked for tax from the king of Maidan,
he had nothing to pay, due to which the king of Karkatiya started a war on religion.
All the trouble people had turned into Warriors.
but in the end, the king of Medaram Pagididda Raju was killed in the battle
After his death, his wife Sammakka Devi,
his daughter Saralamma his son Jamapanna,
and also her son-in-law Govinda Raju came into the fight with Kakaria king.
Sammakka had almost won the war but Saralamma died in the battle
Jampanna bleeding into the “ Sampangi Vaagu”
“Jampanna vaagu” near the place where the present festival is taking place.
Sammakka had gone Chilakala Gutta
Medaram Jatara 2024 Rituals
A vermilion Casket Ritual. ( Kumkum Bharnai)
The main objective of the jatra is to bring the Vermilion casket to
Medaram and take a bath in the Jampana Vagu River, Where they died
The belief is that from time immemorial till today the color of this
the river has remained red and the wishes of the people who come to take a bath
here are fulfilled and they get a positive power to move forward in their lives.
Medaram Jatra is celebrated once every 2 years
which is for four days and the main point of it is only that
the kumkum which is there should be brought into religion.
And this festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Magh month which falls only in February.
The rituals are Performed by the Koya Priests Called ” kaka Vaddes”.
Medaram Jatara 2024 Traditional Music
- Dhol – The Rhythmic Heartbeat:
- Feel the pulse of the celebration with the deep resonance of the Dhol,
- a cylindrical drum that sets the foundation for traditional melodies.
- Akkum – Brass Bliss:
- Let the soul-stirring melodies emanate from the Akkum,
- a brass-blowing instrument, as its golden tones weave seamlessly into the musical fabric.
- Thootha Kommu – Echoes of the Bison:
- Experience the primal calls of nature through the Thootha Kommu,
- a bison horn-blowing instrument, that adds a wild and rustic charm to the musical ensemble.
- Cymbals – Shimmering Harmonies:
- Hear the shimmering harmonies created by the resonating clash of cymbals,
- adding a touch of brilliance and sparkle to the traditional tunes.
Medaram Jatara 2024 Pagiddaraju Cerymony
- Engagement in Punugondalo:
- Pagiddaraju, a key figure in the Medaram fair,
- is engaged in Punugondalo a day before the event, steeped in tribal traditions.
- Rituals at Maranadu Temple:
- Pre-fair preparations include a visit to Maranadu temple,
- where rituals, sacrifices, and special pujas are performed.
- Pagidda Raju’s Attire and Departure:
- Dressed in new clothes, Pagidda Raju leaves
- Punugondalo for Medaram, arriving in the evening.
- Message to Sammakka Priests:
- A message is sent to Sammakka priests,
- notifying them of Pagiddaraju’s imminent arrival.
- Sammakka Temple Morning Puja:
- Before the fair, a special morning puja is conducted at Sammakka temple,
- featuring a pot-shaped decoration.
- Invitation of Pagidda Raja:
- Pagidda Raja is invited to Sammakka temple, creating a significant moment as both sit facing each other.
- Journey to Saralamma Gaddela:
- Pagidda Raju is then taken to Saralamma Gaddela, marking a transitional phase in the fair’s proceedings.
- Special Saralamma Worship at Kannepalli:
- On the same day, Saralamma is honored with special worship for two to three hours at Kannepalli.
- Arrival of Govindaraj:
- Govindaraj, Saralamma’s husband, is brought from Kondai village in a lively village procession.
- Ascension to the Throne:
- On a momentous day, Saralamma, Pagiddaraju, and Govindarajulaswamy ascend the throne together.
Medaram Jatara 2024 Fair Date
Medaram priests have finalized the dates of the Maha Jatara of Apsara
Sammakka Sarakka 2024. A meeting was held on Wednesday and the decision was taken.
Saralamma, Pagidaraju, and Govindaraju will be crowned on
February 16, 2024. On 17 February, Goddess Sammakka is brought to the pit.
Devotees pray on 19 February. While the entry of the gods will take
place on 24th February, the fair and puja will conclude on 28th February.
READ ALSO: Dosmoche Festival 2024 Leh Ladakh Mysterious Festival
Medaram Jatara 2024 Fair Rituals
- Parrot’s Nest Decoction:
- A special moment unfolds as a decoction from a parrot’s nest is brought forth,
- symbolizing a sacred offering.
- Gun Salute by Police:
- The police honor the occasion with a gun salute,
- marked by official insignia, signifying respect and compliance.
- Sammakka in Kesar Bharin Form:
- Under a linden tree at Chilakalagutta, northeast of Medara,
- a Sammakka representation in the form of Kesar Bharin arrives, embodied as a saffron bear.
- Installation on the Bench:
- Priests carefully install the Sammakka representation and Kesar Bharin on a bench,
- a pivotal moment accentuating the significance of the Medaram fair.
- Tantra and Idol Placement:
- Following this ceremonial act, a unique tantra ritual is performed,
- and all festival idols find their place on benches.
- Devotees’ Darshan on the Third Day:
- On the third day, devotees are treated to a special darshan as
- they gather to witness the idols placed on benches.
- Worship of Ammavara:
- Devotees engage in worship, particularly focusing on Ammavara,
- the divine mother, enhancing the spiritual experience.
- Farewell to the Deities:
- On the fair’s last day, a serene conclusion unfolds
- as the gods are reverently sent back to the forest.
- Vanaprasma Entry:
- The Medaram Mahajatra attains completion with the deities gracefully entering Vanaprasma,
- a symbolic return to nature.
READ ALSO: Thaipusam 2024 History, Date, Time & Vibrant Rituals.
Conclusion:
India’s vibrant Medaram Jatara, celebrated by the Koya Tribes of Telangana,
is Asia’s second-largest fair, recognized by UNESCO.
In 2024, from February 16 to 19, the festival features rituals,
traditional music, and the engagement of Pagiddaraju.
The fair culminates with the deities’ farewell,
making it a unique and culturally rich celebration.
