Significance of Sammakka-Sarakka

The Central government has named the Telangana tribal university after Sammakka-Sarakka, a revered mother-daughter duo among the local tribal community in Telangana. This move fulfills a commitment made by the Central government as part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, where both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were to receive support to establish tribal universities. The decision to name the university after Sammakka-Sarakka highlights their significance in the region’s tribal culture.

Legend of Sammakka-Sarakka

• Sammakka was married to Pagididda Raju, a feudal chief of the Kakatiya dynasty that ruled the Warangal area.
• The mother-daughter duo consists of Sammakka, Sarakka (Saralamma), and Nagulamma.
• They are revered for their role in a 13th-century battle against local rulers who imposed taxes on the Koya tribal community.
• Saralamma tragically died in the battle, while Sammakka disappeared into the hills, with locals believing she transformed into a vermillion casket.
• The biennial Sammakka Saralamma Jatara festival commemorates their struggle and is among the largest tribal gatherings globally.

Evolution of the Festival

• The Sammakka Saralamma Jatara festival has grown significantly over the years.
• Originally attended by about 2,000 people, it has become one of the largest Hindu religious festivals globally.
• The festival has attracted millions of devotees, reaching a footfall of over a crore in recent years.
• It is often compared to the Kumbh Mela in terms of devotee participation.
• Access to Medaram, where the festival is held, was improved with the construction of a motorable road in 1998.

Political and Social Significance

• The festival was declared a state festival in 1996 due to its increasing popularity.
• Devotees from various tribal and non-tribal communities, including those from neighboring states, participate.
• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Telangana state government actively participate in the festival and provide financial support.
• Infrastructure development and community shelters have been established in and around Medaram.
• The Ministry of Tourism sanctioned funds for the integrated development of a tribal circuit, including the Sammakka-Sarakka temple area.
• The festival has political significance in reserved Scheduled Tribes (ST) assembly seats like Mulugu, with a 75% ST population.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2023

Category: Art & Culture Current Affairs • India Nation & States Current Affairs