For Nagoba Jatara, the Mesram clan members use a 1400-year-old container

Mesrams collect holy water for the annual Nagoba Jatara slated for January 28

Mancherial: Members of Mesram clan collected holy water or Ganga jal, meant for performing ritual from Godavari river at a spot called Hasthanamadugu near Kalamadugu village in Jannaram mandal on Sunday, as part of the annual Nagoba Jatara slated for January 28.

The Mesrams gathered the water in a sacred yet 1,400-year-old container Jhari after worshipping the river goddess and performing certain traditional rituals. They will clean idols and perform various rituals using the water at the time of their important religious and cultural five-day long fair slated to be held at Keslapur village in Indervelly mandal. They arrived in Jannaram mandal on Thursday.

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About 200 Mesrams set off to fetch holy water or Ganga Jal from the Godavari river, at Keslapur village in Indervelli mandal on January evening. They reached Kalamadugu by walking barefoot for about 75 kilometres crossing forests and hilly areas in Narnoor, Lingapur and Dasturabad mandals. They will arrive at Indervelli mandal centre on January 24.

The Mesrams have already initiated the fair by conducting publicity with a bullock cart and placing an order to mould clay pots for performing the rituals of the affair.

About two lakh aboriginal tribals from several parts of India, not only Telangana but also neighbouring Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha make a beeline to Keslapur and worship the serpentine god.