Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara which is being recognized as South Indian Kumbh Mela will begin on 9^th February and continue till 11^th February, 2012. Large numbers of devotees visit the Jatara every year.

How to reach Medaram?

From Hyderabad one can reach Medaram via Warangal. Warangal is at a distance of 130 kms from Warangal and from there it is 110 kms to Medaram. Warangal is well connected with trains and buses from all parts of Andhra Pradesh. From Warangal one can take RTC buses or taxis or trains which will take the passengers up to Nalgonda railway station to reach Medaram. Nearby railway station to Medaram is Nalgonda Railway station which is at a distance of 54 km, Srirampuram Railway station at a distance of 56 km, Macheral railway station which is 56 kms and Tipparthi railway station which is at a distance of 60 kms from Medaram. RTC buses take the passengers up to Medaram. Nearby Air ports of Medaram are Warangal airport, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada Airport. Nearby cities are Warangal and Hanamkonda.

Visitors who come from Lakhnavaram to Medaram should reach Pasra travelling on the main road. From there a left turn is to be taken and Medaram is 24 kms from Pasra. There is another route from Pasra in which tourists should travel 13 kilometers and reach Tadvai and from there they have to take a left turn and travel 14 kms to reach Medaram

APSRTC will operate more than 1,000 buses to Medaram during the Sammakka Saralamma jatara that begins on 8^th February, 2012. From Mahatma Gandhi bus station one luxury bus will leave for every twenty minutes. APSRTC will run buses from all the districts of Telangana to Warangal for Medaram Jatara.

Sammakka Saralamma Jathara, also known as Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Jatara, is the largest tribal fair in the world. It is held once in two years with lot of gusto for 4 days during Magha Purnima. In 2012, Medaram Sammakka Sarakka Jathara dates are – Jatara starts on February 8 and ends on February 11. It is celebrated at Medaram village near Yeturu Nagaram of Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh.

Here are the full details of dates and schedule of Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara 2012:

February 8, 2012 – Goddess Saralamma will arrive to Platform (Gadde).
February 9, 2012 – Goddess Sammakka will arrive to Platform (Gadde).
February 10, 2012 – Devotees offer naivedyam or other offerings like ‘Bangaram (bellam – jaggery).
February 11, 2012 – Last day of Sammkka Sarakka Jathara. Goddess Sammakkar and Saralamma will return back in to forest.

Medaram Jatara Interesting facts

• Nearly 80 lakh devotes visited Medaram Jatara in 2010. Officials are expecting the number to reach one crore in 2012.
• More than five lakh devotees utilized the services of APSRTC during 2012 Medaram jatara. There is a chance that this number will increase this year.

APSRTC is running nearly thousand special buses to Medaram in for Medaram Jatara. A bus leaves MGBS, Hyderabad for every 20 minutes to Medaram.

Accommodation at Medaram

Medaram Sammakka Saralamma jatara is a tribal festival held for every two years. In 2012 the Jatara begins on 8^th February. Pilgrims, who reach Medaram Jatara, first take bath in the Jampanna vagu and go for the darshan of Deities. Government is constructing bathing ghats at the Jampanna vagu. Devotees take Jaggery which is offered to the deities.

Pilgrims who go to Medaram Jatara can get accommodation at the surrounding villages of Medaram. Accommodation will also be available in nearby places like Tandvai, Warangal etc. Warangal has many good hotels and lodges with good facilities. Temporary dwellings come up around the village during the festival. Those who want to stay in Medaram should take blankets, torch lights, match boxes, stove, and all the cooking equipment along with them. Medical kit also should be carried as a precautionary measure. Since there will be heavy rush of devotees it is better to avoid wearing gold ornaments. Children should be taken great care as there is a chance for them to miss in the crowd.

Arrangements for Medaram fair, the largest fair in Asia that brings pride to Warangal District, are in full swing. The Medaram fair, which will be held from February 8 to 11, draws lakhs of tribals apart from politicians, officials and people from neighbouring states. People come to visit tribal deities Sammakka-Saralamma.

Medaram, located amidst dense forests at Thadwai mandal, is 110 kms away from Warangal. The Medaram fair, which is celebrated once every two years, begins on a full moon day of the Telugu month Magham. Well before the celebrations, ministers and VIPs from other states are visiting the place to the platform of the deities. Chief Minister along with the Ministers is due to visit the fair.

Saralamma arrives at the platform from Kannepally at 4 pm on February 8, followed by Sammakka, who would reach the venue from Chilukala Gutta at 5 pm the next day. On the third day, the devotees fulfill the vows and offer prayers to the forest nymphs and the celebrations conclude on the fourth day, i.e. on February 11, when the deities return to the forest.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy is scheduled to attend the fair on February 8, while the TDP sources revealed that Nara Chandrababu Naidu would visit the deities on February 4. According to BJP sources, Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh’s visit is going to coincide with that of the BJP state president Kishan Reddy on February 9.

Apart from them, TRS cadre including K Chandrasekhar Rao, Vijayashanthi and others are expected to visit the fair. A helipad is also arranged to cater to the needs of the VIPs. The state government allocated Rs 60 crore to make arrangements for the devotees.

RTC is plying over 3159 buses and the medical and health department is deploying 150 doctors and 500 paramedical personnel and in addition to them Nursing Home Association and Indian Medical Association doctors would render services along the highway. Even 108 services would remain on guard. Apart from that a 60 bed temporary hospital would be kept ready.

As it is the Maoist-affected area, two days ago, Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar Jain, the Karimnagar Range DIG, accompanied by Mulug ASP Sinthil Kumar inspected the helipad, bath ghats, toilets and other facilities for VIPs.

The police sources said that about 8000 police personnel would be deployed for security needs. In addition to that 48 closed circuit cameras are to be arranged to check the crime rate. A Lok Adalat is being arranged with permission of the district Judge, to dispose the cases quickly.

The police department is making arrangements for lockers for the devotees at bath ghats to preserve their valuables. Kaka Saraiah, a priest, stated that the ceremonies would be conducted as per the traditions of the tribes and that the priests maintain their presence at different prime locations to meet the conveniences of the devotees.

Sammakka and Saralamma were heroic ladies who fought against the Kakatiya King Prathaparudra during the 13th Century. The fair was started to commemorate their heroic deeds .

The famed tribal festival of Sammakka-Sarakka jatara will be conducted in February 2012 in Medaram village in Eturunagaram mandal in Warangal district.

The jatara, which is held every two years, will be organised for four days from February eighth, next year. The decision was taken at a meeting by the organising committee along with the district officials on Thursday. Lakhs of tribal throng the jatara from all corners of the country.

While tribes from Warangal, Khammam, Adilabab and other districts of AP swarm the village for the four-day jatara, people from Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra will also come in thousands to take part in the festival. The tribal pitch make-shift tents in and around the village during the jatara and worship the tribal goddesses of Sammakka and Sarakka.

By booking this, you are not assured with Darshan at Sabarimala. However this entitles you to join the queue at “Nadapanthal”  and near to the Pathinettampadi.  After verifying your credentials you will be put through the queue for darshan eventually along with those who are waiting in the queue.

This is a free service offered by Kerala Police for the purpose of crowd management at Sabarimala. You are not required to make any payment in this connection.

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Q-Booking

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Sabarimala Q-Booking link.

The city was once the heartland of Telugu culture. The capital of the Kakatiya rulers, Warangal today contains some of the best forms of architecture, especially temples.

The 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple in the district are glowing examples of the exquisite architecture patronized by the Kakatiyas.

Warangal city today is part of a cluster of three towns: Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda, the district headquarters’. Bound on the Northern part by the mighty Godavari River, the district has large tracts of forest and an array of flora and fauna

The district is also known for its picturesque lakes, hand-woven thick cotton fibre carpets, scroll painting done on cloth in earth colours mainly at Cheriyal nearby, and sheet-metal artistry at Pembarti.

Prime Attractions

• Thousand Pillar Temple
  This temple is a fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. It was built by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD in the style of Chalukyan temples, star shaped and triple shrined. The 3 shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish.

• Bhadra Kali Temple
  Situated on a hilltop between Hanamkonda and Warangal, it is noted for its stone image of the Goddess Kali. She is depicted with eight arms and carries a weapon in each hand.

• Warangal Fort
  Warangal fort is 12-km from Hanamakonda, which dates back to the 13th century. The Kakatiya king, Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma built the fort. Though the main fort has been ravaged over time, the remains of the four huge stone gateways, similar to those of Sanchi, along with several exquisite pieces of sculpture can still be seen in and around the fort.

Excursions

• Ramappa Temple
  Also know as Ramalingeswara temple, this is situated in Palampet village, which is 70-km form Warangal This is a magnificent monument dating back to 1213 AD depicts the glory and richness of the Kakatiya kingdom.

• Kolanupaka
  Kolanupaka, 80-km from Hyderabad , is situated between Hyderabad and Warangal. This was the second capital town of Kalyani Chalukyas during the 11th century AD. During this period the village was a religious centre of Jains, and ranks among other great Jain centres in the south. It was also a great centre of Shaivism. Literary evidences reveal ‘Kolanupaka’ as the birthplace of ‘Renukacharya’ the great ‘Vira Saiva’ saint, believed to be born from the ‘Svayambaghu Linga’ at this village and absorbed into it after preaching Vira Saivism.

• Jain Mandir
  The 2,000-year-old Jain temple of Mahaveer is a famous place of worship for Jains in the country. The temple is embellished with beautiful images of Thirthankaras. The 5ft high image of Mahavira is entirely carved of Jade.

• Sri Veeranarayana Temple
  The temple is constructed in the Chalukyan style around 1104 AD. The appearance of the temple indicates that it was originally a Jain temple converted into a Vaishnava shrine.

• Someshwara Temple
  Someswara III the Kalyani Chalukya emperor constructed the temple of Someswara. Rare specimens of architecture and sculpture of the western Chalukyan period can be found in this temple.

• Kolanupaka Site Museum
  Kolanupaka came into prominence when it was made the alternate capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas in the 11th century AD. The State Department of Archaeology and Museums established a sculptural gallery, which exhibits artifacts from the various historical monuments in Kolanupaka.

• Pakhal Lake
  A manmade lake completed in 1213 AD by the Kakatiya king, Ganapathidev, by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River. It is located 50-km from Warangal and spreads over an area of 30-sq-km.

How To Reach Warangal

By Air

The nearest airport to Warangal is at Hyderabad which is at a distance of around 130 Km from here. It is best to hire a taxi from the airport to Warangal as it takes the least time and is quite comfortable. It will take around 3 hrs to cover the distance.

By Rail

Warangal has its own railway stations that connects it to almost all parts of India. The station lies on Delhi-Chennai main line which has many important trains running on it and all have a halt at Warangal.

By Road

Warangal has good network of roads that connect it to all the important cities of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is the closest major city to Warangal. There are regular APSRTC buses plying between the two cities. There are private buses as well.

Local Transportation

Auto rickshaws are the most common mode of transportation inside the city and the cheapest as well. You can hire a taxi which is the most comfortable way of getting around in the city. You will also find good number of buses connecting distant parts of the city.

UTSAVAMS

Shakambari Navratri, nine festive nights dedicated to Shakambari devi, is observed in Ashada masam at Bhadrakali Temple in Hanamkonda (Warangal), Andhra Pradesh. Bhadrakali Ammavaru at Hanamkonda is a Shakti Peetha, dedicated to Mother Goddess. Goddess Bhadrakali is the ferocious form of Goddess Shakti. Bhadra kali is the consort of Lord Veerabhadreshwara Swamy. Bhadrakali is worshipped as the main deity in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh.

The best time to visit Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda is obviously Ashada masa Navratri during which Ammavaru is decorated and worshipped in the form of Shakambari. Shakambari devi is one of the manifestations of Goddess who bears vegetables and fruits as her clothes and ornaments.

Utsavalu (Main Festivals) in Bhadrakali Temple:

In Bhadrakali Temple, the main festivities are – Vasantotsavam or Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masam, Shakambari Navaratri in Ashada masam, Maha Sharan Navaratri or Durga Devi Navratri in Ashwayuja masam and Maghi Utsavalu or Magha Navratri in Magha masam. In Chaitra masam, Bhadrakali Brahmotsavalu is also held.

Bhadrakali Ammavaru – Deity of Kakatiya Dynasty:

Bhadrakali Ammavaru is also worshipped as ‘Kakathamma’, the deity of Kakatiya dynasty. Warangal also called as Orugallu was the capital city of Kakatiya dynasty. Every detail about Bhadrakali Mata was scriptured in ‘Siddeshwara Charithramu’ and ‘Pratapa Rudreeyam’. As a commemoration of his victory against Vengi Chalukyas, West Chalukya King, Pulakesi-II constructed the Badrakali temple in the year 625 AD.

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.