శ్రీ సమ్మక్క సారలమ్మ జాతర – మేడారం
ఎస్.ఎస్. తాడ్వాయి (మండలం), ములుగు జిల్లా

The sacred place of Sammakka Saralamma Jathara is located at Medaram Village, Tadwai Mandal, approximately 104 Kms from the District Headquarters of Warangal towards the north-eastern side. Situated amidst dense forests on the banks of the Godavari River, Medaram has been a habitation of the indigenous Koya Dora tribal people since the 10th century.

According to local tradition, while hunting in the dense forest, the Koya people discovered a newborn girl surrounded by tigers and radiating divine light. They brought the child to their village with great celebration and began worshipping her as their Goddess of the Hills. On the auspicious day of Maagha Suddha Pournami, she was named Sammakka. She later became renowned for her spiritual powers and compassion. Sammakka married Pagididda Raju, nephew of the Koya ruler Meda Raju, and they were blessed with two children, Saralamma and Jampanna.

During the reign of Pagididda Raju, Medaram came under the influence of the Kakatiya dynasty. A severe drought lasting four consecutive years caused great hardship, and the people were unable to pay taxes. When Pagididda Raju refused to pay the taxes, Kakatiya Emperor Pratapa Rudra sent his army under Prime Minister Yugandhara. A fierce battle followed, in which Pagididda Raju, Saralamma and Govinda Raju lost their lives. Jampanna sacrificed his life by jumping into Sampenga Vagu, which later came to be known as Jampanna Vagu.

After the deaths of her family members, Rani Sammakka entered the battlefield and fought bravely against the enemy forces. After being seriously wounded, she left the battlefield towards Chilkalagutta. Her followers searched for her but could not find her. Near an anthill at the foot of a tree known locally as Nemilie Nara Vruksha, they found a yellow-coloured vermilion container, known as a Kumkuma Bharina, which they believed was a sacred symbol of their beloved queen Sammakka.

In remembrance of Sammakka and Saralamma and their sacrifice, the tribal community began celebrating the Medaram Jathara on the auspicious day of Maagha Suddha Pournami once every two years. During the festival, devotees perform traditional rituals and offer prayers to the goddesses. Childless women seek their blessings, while devotees who have fulfilled their vows offer jaggery (Bangaram), money, silver and gold as offerings to Sammakka and Saralamma.