“For us, the Medaram Jathara is the most awaited time once every two years. Preparations start long before the main festival days itself.
This is my son’s first visit to the Sammakka Saralamma Jathara. He doesn’t know where he is yet, or why so many people have come together. For now, he just sits on my shoulders, looking around, holding on tight. When we were kids, the whole family would travel on bullock carts carrying rice, food, and drinks. That journey was part of the festival.
People walked through forest paths offering jaggery (bangaram), rice, and coconuts as rituals to the goddess. Everyone had their own reasons praying for the health, prosperity, and strength for the family.
This year, the facilities here at Medaram are better. The redevelopment works at the main temple premises, security arrangements, buses for women, stay camps… everything is good. But the spiritual feeling is always the same.
Many of us live in cities now. Still, when the Jathara comes, we try to return. This time I came with my family and my child, staying here for three day carrying forward our ancestral traditions.”
— Srikanth, Devotee at Medaram Jathara