Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Sammakka Saralamma Gaddelu at Medaram, in Sammakka Saralamma Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, Telangana, is the sacred seat of the goddesses Sammakka and her daughter Saralamma (also called Sarakka) – the revered Vana Devatas (forest goddesses) of the Koya community. It is not a temple in the usual sense: there is no sanctum and no idol. The goddesses are worshipped on gaddelu – raised sacred platforms – in the forest village, and all the rituals are performed by Koya pujaris according to their own customs. Every two years, Medaram becomes the scene of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, one of the largest tribal gatherings in the world.
The Goddesses and their Worship
The two main gaddelu belong to Sammakka and Saralamma; the gaddelu of Pagididda Raju, Sammakka's husband, and Govinda Raju are also honoured here. The goddesses are present in the form of the kumkum bharani – a casket of vermilion – rather than any image. During the jatara the Koya pujaris bring them to the gaddelu from the forest in procession: Saralamma from Kannepalli, and Sammakka from Chilakalagutta. Devotees pray to the goddesses for courage, protection, health, children and the fulfilment of their vows, and people of every community and region come to Medaram with equal devotion.
Koya Tradition and Legend
According to Koya tradition, Sammakka was found as a child in the forest near Chilakalagutta, protected by wild animals, and was raised by the tribal chief of the area. She married Pagididda Raju, and their children included Saralamma and Jampanna. The tradition remembers a time of drought when the Kakatiya rulers demanded tribute that the Koya people could not pay. Sammakka's family stood up for their people and resisted the royal army; Pagididda Raju, Jampanna and others of the family fell in that struggle, and the stream at Medaram where Jampanna fell is honoured as Jampanna Vagu. The wounded Sammakka is believed to have withdrawn into the forest at Chilakalagutta and was not seen again – only a casket of vermilion was found, which the Koya people revere as her sacred presence. The details vary among tellings, but the goddesses are remembered by all as mothers who gave everything for their people.
Bangaram – the Offering of Jaggery
The special offering of Medaram is bangaram. Bangaram means gold, and here it means jaggery: devotees offer jaggery to the goddesses as their gold. Many who made a vow offer jaggery equal to their own body weight – niluvettu bangaram – weighed on scales beside the gaddelu. Turmeric and kumkum are also offered, and devotees bathe in Jampanna Vagu before going for darshan.
The Medaram Jatara
The Maha Jatara is held once every two years in the month of Magha (usually January or February) and lasts four days: Saralamma arrives at her gadde on the first day, Sammakka on the second, devotees offer their vows on the third, and the goddesses return to the forest (vana pravesham) on the fourth. The jatara dates are fixed by the Koya pujaris; the last Maha Jatara was held in January 2026, and the next is expected in early 2028. In the years between, a smaller Mini Jatara (Mandamelige) is held at Medaram. The dates are listed on the Medaram Jatara page once they are announced.
The Gaddelu Today
Ahead of the 2026 jatara, the area around the gaddelu was rebuilt in stone by the Government of Telangana, with the consent of the tribal elders and priests. Granite pillars around the gaddelu carry carvings depicting the culture, customs and history of the Koya community. The Government also makes large arrangements for pilgrims during each jatara, while the worship remains in the hands of the Koya pujaris.
Visitor Information
- Visiting: devotees visit the gaddelu throughout the year, and in very large numbers during the Maha Jatara and the Mini Jatara.
- Respect for tradition: Medaram is a living Koya sacred site – please follow the guidance of the pujaris and the local authorities, and respect the customs of the community.
- Jampanna Vagu: bathe only at the designated places, especially during the jatara crowds.
- Crowds: during the Maha Jatara the roads, forests and camping grounds around Medaram are extremely crowded; plan travel and stay well in advance.
How to Reach
- By Road: Medaram is in Sammakka Saralamma Tadvai mandal of Mulugu district, about 75 km by road from Warangal. TGSRTC runs buses to the area, with a very large number of special buses during the jatara.
- By Train: the nearest major railway stations are Warangal and Kazipet Junction.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), about 250 km away by road.
- Nearby: the UNESCO World Heritage Ramappa Temple at Palampet is in the same district.
