Stage is set for biennial tribal fare

Karimnagar: The stage is all set for Sammakka-Sarakka Jatara across the district. The biennial tribal fare will begin with the arrival of deity Sarakka onto the throne on Wednesday and will continue for three days on a colourful note amid devotees’ traditional rituals to the Goddesses.

Though the jatara is going to be held in 83 places across the district, the Endowment Department has recognised only 41 places. Among these, 10 places-Goliwada, Godavarikhani, Rekurthi, Neerukulla, Veenavanka, Shankarapatnam, Huzurabad, Mulkanoor, Kannur and Jupaka are the major centres in the district.

Jatara celebration committees were also formed in all places to provide arrangements to pilgrims. On the other hand, district administration has taken measures to provide drinking water, electricity, toilets, showers, changing rooms and health camps. Though the district administration claimed that elaborate arrangements were made for conducting the fair, water scarcity would be a major problem for the large number of devotees.

Usually, jatara would be held on the banks of the canals but almost all canals were completely dry due to the prolonged dry spell. To meet the water requirements of the devotees, organisers are digging bore wells on the river bed of the water bodies and arranging showers to take bath.

On the other hand, tankers have been pressed into service to supply drinking water and RO plants were also established in some places. In Godavarikhani, five bore wells were dug in the river bed and showers were arranged at Sammakka-Sarakka thrones. Besides a RO plant, a total of 10 tankers were hired to supply drinking water. Singareni Company made elaborate arrangements at Godavarikhani jatara wherein a large number of devotees (about 7-8 lakh) were expected to take part.