Medaram overflowing with people

Dubbed as one of the biggest tribal festivals in the country, the Samakka-Sarakka jatara begins on Wednesday, but this dusty village is already overflowing with people as thousands of pilgrims have reached the place on Tuesday even as Chief Minister K. Rosaiah offered prayers.

Sitting in a balance, Mr. Rosaiah offered jaggery, considered ‘gold’ in the tribal custom, equivalent to his weight of 89 kg, to the two deities at the altar. Referring to the demand for declaring the jatara as a ‘national festival’, he said he would make a suggestion to the Central government provided he receives a representation from the leaders and district administration to this effect.