Arrangements in place at mini altars of Sammakka-Saralamma in Mancherial

Mancherial: Elaborate arrangements were made at mini altars of Sammakka Saralamma for organising the biannual fair in coal belt towns Mancherial, Mandamarri, Ramakrishnapur and Srirampur. While the altar was formed by the Endowments Department on the shores of Godavari, the other holy structures were erected by SCCL in Mandamarri, Ramakrishnapur and Srirampur towns for the convenience of devotees who cannot afford to take part in the fair in Medaram of Mulugu district. Other basic amenities were also set up. A rescue team of SCCL is going to be deployed at the altar in Mancherial for preventing drowning.

Mukta Ravi, Executive Officer of the department, said that arrangements were in place for the smooth conduct of the fair. Temporary toilets, drinking water facilities, lighting system, parking lots, bathrooms and shades have been arranged at these altars. A new venue was constructed with the existing one getting submerged following the construction of a barrage across Godavari at Sundilla in Peddapalli district.

According to members of the organising committing of the jatara, on the first day of the jatara, Saralamma deity would be installed on the altars after being brought from the forest by priests belonging to Medaram on Wednesday. The devotees take darshan of the deities on Friday and the deities enter the forests on Saturday. The department has been organising the fair for 21 years.