Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu today stressed the need for popularizing Medaram tribal festival of “Sammakka and Sarakka” in Telangana State at the national level. “It needs national recognition as a large number of devotees from other States also throng the biennial Tribal festival. The age-old Tribal festival reflects our traditions and culture, which should be continued”, he said.
Venkaiah Naidu said offering prayers to the tribal deities was good for well-being of the lives which is the strong belief of the people. Venkaiah Naidu, who came in a special helicopter from Begumpet airport to Medaram Jatara site at 11.05 am amid tight security, was welcomed by Deputy Chief Minister Kadiam Srihari, Endowments Minister A Indrakaran Reddy, Speaker S Madhusudana Chary and officials. He offered special prayers, “Bangaram” and traditional clothes to the deities at the temple in the Jayashankar Bhupalapally district near Warangal.
Talking to mediapersons later, the Vice President hoped that the festival will be given national recognition. His remarks assume significance as the State government has already appealed for national status to the Medaram Jathara. The Vice President appreciated the Telangana Government and officials for making better arrangements for the tribal festival. “We are supposed to protect the old traditions and transfer them to future generations”, he said, adding that “It was my responsibility to visit Medaram.
“It is surprising that a large number of devotees came from Telugu States, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh and Odisha States. The Jatara got State festival status in 1986 and the way the devotees throng is very attractive”, he said. “As a common man, I visited the Jathara site and now attending the big celebrations. Celebrating such events will certainly lead the people in right path with good mindset and ideas and follow suit of forest goddesses. I would like to attend festivals and celebrations given by our ancestors, which will reflect national integrity and specialty”, he added. (NSS)